Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 1) released the latest grading of water quality for 11 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming in November.
Eight beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and three as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach |
Middle Bay Beach |
Deep Water Bay Beach |
Repulse Bay Beach |
Golden Beach |
Silver Mine Bay Beach |
Lido Beach |
Stanley Main Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
Casam Beach |
Silverstrand Beach |
Clear Water Bay Second Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Big Wave Bay Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Casam Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
"The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast). Moreover, the EPD has ceased support to the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application with effect from today (November 1), with a view to prioritising resources to maintain and enhance the dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast.
Approved Tuen Mun Outline Zoning Plan amended
The Town Planning Board today (November 1) announced amendments to the approved Tuen Mun Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The amendments mainly involve (i) rezoning a site to the northwest of Light Rail Transit Goodview Garden Station from "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") to "Residential (Group A)29" ("R(A)29"); (ii) rezoning a site being part of the residential development 'Oceania Heights' from "G/IC" to "R(A)"; (iii) rezoning a site to the east of Tuen Mun Town Plaza from "Green Belt" ("GB") and an area shown as 'Road' to "R(A)30"; and (iv) rezoning a site to the west of Hing Fu Street from "GB" to "G/IC(5)".
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.
The draft Tuen Mun OZP No. S/TM/40, incorporating the amendments, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long West District Planning Office, (iv) the Tuen Mun District Office, and (v) the Tuen Mun Rural Committee.
Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before January 2, 2025. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on "Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations" (TPB PG-No. 29C).
Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29C. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:
* If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29C, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.
The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) and the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Copies of the draft Tuen Mun OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
