Tung Chung River New Town

Under the Tung Chung New Town Extension plan, the Tung Chung East area is now undergoing reclamation to create approximately 130 hectares of land, while the Tung Chung West development area overlaps with the lower basin of the Tung Chung River. Although no reclamation is taking place in Tung Chung West, there are concerns about the impact of the development on the water quality and ecology of the Tung Chung River.

The development in Tung Chung West will increase the coverage of residential, transportation, and commercial land uses within the river basin, completely altering its natural landscape. Fortunately, the authorities are aware of the ecological value of the Tung Chung River and are implementing various measures to balance flood control and conservation needs. These measures include the construction of polders along the riverbanks to reduce the flooding risk and minimize human disturbance in the riparian areas. Construction activities will also be avoided in the natural stream sections to preserve their natural state. Additionally, the authorities will establish Hong Kong's first Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS), incorporating elements such as bioswales, porous pavements, rainwater attenuation and treatment ponds, to mitigate the threat of urban pollution to the water quality of the Tung Chung River.

The first River Park in Hong Kong will also be established as part of the Tung Chung New Town Extension in the future, and the channelized section of the Tung Chung River will be revitalised. Along with certain natural river sections, they will be included in the River Park, thus combining recreational, ecological conservation, and flood prevention functions, and promoting a water-friendly culture.

We will continue to monitor the ecology and water quality of the Tung Chung River to evaluate the effectiveness of the conservation measures implemented by the authorities and ensure the precious natural resources of the Tung Chung River are adequately protected.