Professor Lee Chack-fan has been appointed Harbour-front Enhancement Committee Chairman. He is a Pro-Vice-Chancellor and a Chair Professor of HK University's Department of Civil Engineering.

The committee comprises six senior Government officials and 23 non-official members who represent community sectors like professional institutes, green groups, harbour interest bodies and business, as well as individuals from varied backgrounds who are knowledgeable in harbour-related issues.

The chairman and members will serve for two years from May 1. The Housing, Planning & Lands Bureau will provide secretariat support.

The committee advises the Government on planning, land use and development along existing and new harbour-front, with a view to protecting it, improving its accessibility, utilisation and vibrancy, and safeguarding public enjoyment of it through a balanced, effective and participatory approach.

Committee to study community involvement

In response to community aspiration for greater involvement in the planning and design of the future harbour-front, the committee is also expected to identify, and/or commission projects and activities to fulfil this. Activities may include exhibitions, roundtable meetings, public forums, workshops, seminars and competitions.

To foster a full participatory process by stakeholders, committee members can raise issues of interest or concern relating to the purview of the committee for discussion and deliberation.

The committee will hold its first meeting on May 6 to discuss items like its terms of reference and the mode of operation.

They will also be briefed on the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance and the Court of Final Appeal Judgment and the progress of reviews at the Wan Chai North and South East Kowloon development and the Harbour Planning Study.