By Channey Chan, Carlokas Ho, Esther Ng, Elby Ip and Pearl Chan

Stakeholders 1.Kau Sai Chau Golf Course 2.Golfers and Visitors 3.Sai Kung Residents 4.Kau Sai Villagers 5.Fishermen 6.Non-governmental Organizations 7.Government Departments

The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited First Approached: Oct 7 Replied: Oct 9 Louise So (Administration Manager) Face-to-face Interview: Oct 13 Kevin Yuen (General Manager) Field Investigation Plan

Sai Kung Residents, Golfers, Visitors Short questionnaire: Nov 11 Location: Sai Kung Town and KSC Public Golf Course Pier Another in-depth interview: Nov 25

Fishermen Mr. Law Yau Mui ( 羅有妹 ) Village Head of Kau Sai Village ( 滘西村 ) Contacted: Nov 8 Face-to-face Interview: Nov 11

Fishermen Mr. Ma Muk Gun ( 馬木根 ) Representative of Tai Tau Chau ( 大頭洲 ) Telephone Interview: Nov 11 Referred by Law Yau Mui

NGOs Dr. Ng Cho Nam ( 吳祖南 ) Member of Advisory Council on the Environment Director of the Conservancy Association ( 長春社 ) Contacted: Oct 26 Replied: Oct 30 Question List sent: Nov 8

NGOs Prof. Wong Yuk Shan ( 黃玉山 ) Member of Advisory Council on the Environment Environmental advocate Provides expertise in environmental biotechnology (scientist) Contacted: Oct 26 Interview: Nov 18

NGOs Mrs. Ng Fong Siu Mei ( 吳方笑微 ) Director of Friends of the Earth ( 地球之友 ) Member of Advisory Council on the Environment Contacted: Oct 26 Awaiting feedback

Government Departments Agriculture Fisheries Conservation Department ( 漁農自然護理署 ) Miss. Phoebe Sze Contacted: Oct 27 Replied: Nov 3 Question list sent: Nov 9

Government Departments Leisure and Cultural Services Department ( 康文署 ) Mr. Gary Ng Customer Service Supervisor Contacted: Oct 27 Replied and Feedback Received: Nov 7

Government Departments Environmental Protection Department ( 環 境保護署 ) Telephone Interview: Oct 26 Being transferred to different departments Environmental Compliance Division - Regional office (E) Follow up interview: Nov 24

Government Departments Marine Department ( 海事署 ) –Contacted: Oct 28 –Awaiting feedback Advisory Council on the Environment ( 環境諮詢委員會 ) –Miss. Sarah Ng –EIA Subcommittee Secretariat –Contacted: Oct 27 –Replied and Feedback Received: Nov 7

The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited Self-regulatory approach –Fulfill EIA for building the existing golf course –Maintenance of water quality –Ecological monitoring Future plan to maintain sustainability –Creating KSCPGC development fund to establish more golf and other recreational facilities

Golf players and Visitors 180,000 people visited KSCPGC each year Bring in money to Sai Kung –spend money on golf playing –spend money on traffic and car parking –stay for dinner and shopping Not involved in the preservation of the natural environment of Kau Sai Chau

Golf players and Visitors Golf players’ expectations: –more holes to play and practice paths –higher availability –lower prices Visitors’ (include SK residents) expectations: –scenic view of Kau Sai Chau –food quality in the KSC canteen Aware the nice environment and the environmental awards of KSCPGC Concern the facilities within KSCPGC only Never try to voice their opinions Do not know the importance of the conservation of the environment

Kau Sai Villager Who are they?

Kau Sai Villager

Kau Sai Village Background: government reclaimed land - Move 16 households to New Kau Sai Village at Pak Sha Wan - Training ground closed - KSC villagers built houses and took up residence again on KSCPGC

Kau Sai Village Graves - Affected villagers negotiated with Jockey Club individually for compensation and reconstruction of graves Conclusion - Passive - No special expectation and needs

Where is Tai Tau Chau?

Fishermen Consultation - On KSCPGC, fishermen on KSC were informed - On Tai Tau Chau, no consultation - Conclusion: -- To KSC fishermen, no special expectation and needs Because of the location of golf course and village -- To Tai Tau Chau fishermen, they want to be consulted in further construction Water Quality - Muddy water flowing into the fish farms on heavy rainy days, herbicide flows downstream and kills the fish - Mud blocks the hiding place of fish - Fish amount decreases drastically on Tai Tau Chau, 80 households dropped to 40 households - On 1 st Aug 2006, they organized a protest on the sea - Conclusion: Control water quality and have compensation

Fishermen Noise Pollution - On Tai Tau Chau, 2 households provide fishing service for visitors - Construction work in KSCPGC continues until 11 p.m. or even after mid- night - Business volume hence drops 20%-30% - Residents called EPD to inquire about the time slot permitted for construction - EPD replied that there was NO fixed residence near the construction site, there was no limit to the construction in KSCPGC - Is it true? ation_maincontent36.html ation_maincontent36.html - Conclusion: Restrict the time slot for the construction

Fishermen Compensation Procedures - Jockey Club and construction companies took photos of the fish farms. - Kept the dead fish. - Next day, Sai Kung Home Affair Office, AFCD, surveyor company and insurance company went to fish farms to confirm the situation. - Cheque issued to those who are affected Wait for more than 5 months to get compensation Conclusion: - Have quicker response system and more facilitated compensation system

NGOs Questions asked… 1. How did your organization participate in the different phases of construction of KSCPGC? 2. Did your organization meet any difficulties in airing your opinion of the golf course? 2. Did your organization oppose the development of golf course? 3. If so, on what grounds? 4. In what ways can the KSCPGC improve its environmental policy?

Government Departments Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)Leisure and Cultural Services Department Marine Department Environmental Protection Department (EPD)Environmental Protection Department Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE)Advisory Council on the Environment

Questions sent to AFCD 1.What is your role in the development of the different phases of the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course (KSCPGC)? 2.What is your opinion of the KSCPGC? 3.Did your department advise Jockey Club during the planning (site selection, design) and construction? 4.Have you heard any voices against the construction of the KSCPGC in Kau Sai Chau? Have your received complaints during the construction of the KSCPGC? 5.What is the relationship between your department and the KSCPGC (cooperation, partnership, advisory)? 6.Is the waste made in the KSCPGC damaging the surrounding fishery productivity? 7.Are the pesticides (Insecticide: Chipco Choice [A.I. 0.1% fipronil]; Merit [A.I. Imidacloprid], Herbicide: MSMA, Image, Fungicide: Mancozeb, Rovral, Dacotech) used in the KSCPGC bringing negative effects to the environment? 8.Is the construction of the third golf course disturbing the natural habitats?

Reply from LCSD and ACE Leisure and Cultural Services Department There are four golf facilities under the management of LCSD: –Tuen Mun Golf Centre –Wo Yi Hop Road Golf Driving Range –Shun Lee Tsuen Sports Centre Indoor Golf Driving Range –Indoor Golf Driving Bays at Island East Sports Centre Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course (KSCPGC) is not under their management. Advisory Council on the Environment Receive Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance E.g. Proposed Extension of Public Golf Course on Kau Sai Chau Distribute to related departments for further assessment → Government Departments have a complicated framework that mostly deal with the administrative work rather than practical work to conserve the environment

Technological improvements initiated by KSC Public Golf Course The 3rd Golf Course Use of electric golf carts Use of Seashore Paspalum in turfing –Higher tolerance to stress –Higher tolerance to salt (less water required) –More resistant to diseases and insects –Lower nitrogen requirement (less fertilizer and pesticides needed)

Technological improvements initiated by KSC Public Golf Course The 3rd Golf Course Chemicals with less impact –Insecticide Chipco Choice (A.I. 0.1% fipronil) Merit (A.I. Imidacloprid) –Herbicide MSMA Image –Fungicide Mancozeb Rovral Dacotech

Technological improvements initiated by KSC Public Golf Course The 3rd Golf Course Chemicals with less impacts –List sent by KSCPGC –However, we are awaiting the opinions from Dr. Ng.

Problem: stress on transportation system Situation: –Stress on existing transportation capacity Visitors or golfers tend to drive to Sai Kung Town Suggestions: –Encourage the use of public transport e.g. free shuttle bus service from Choi Hung to Sai Kung e.g. public transport rates to be deducted from green fees

Problem: inefficient report system Situation: –Meetings among stakeholders held only when accidents happened e.g. sudden washouts downstream into marine water –No permanent contact point for accidents e.g. local residents have to inform different departments –Slow compensation procedures e.g. one case took 5 months from file of complaint to actual receipt of compensation

Problem: inefficient report system Suggestions: –More inter-departmental communications Monthly regular meeting Better report system Prevention and contingency plan –More involvement and consultation with stakeholders

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) EIAO Guidance Note No. 3/2002 Flexibility and enforceability of mitigation measures proposed in an environmental impact assessment report - Preventive ability 3.1 The primary purpose of the proposed measures is to prevent environmental problems from happening, and not just to rectify problems after their occurrence. Consideration should, therefore, give priority to avoid, pre-empt and prevent adverse environmental consequences.

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) A guide to environmental impact assessment ordinance 8. The time limits for the Director to respond to various applications and for the public and the Advisory Council on the Environment to comment on the project profile or the EIA report are described below:

Time limit for the DirectorTime limit for the public Time limit for the Advisory Council on the Environment Application for an EIA study brief 45 days of receiving the application or further information 14 days of placing the advertisement Application for approval to apply directly for an environmental permit 45 days of receiving the application or further information 14 days of placing the advertisement Review of an EIA report60 days of receiving the EIA report Public inspection of an EIA report 30 days of placing the advertisement 60 days of receiving the EIA report Approval of an EIA report30 days of the expiry of the public inspection period, or the receipt of comments from the Advisory Council on the Environment, or the receipt of further information Application for an environmental permit 30 days of receipt of the application (the same time limit as the approval of EIA report if the two applications are submitted at the same time) Application for a further environmental permit 30 days of receipt of the application Application for variation of an environmental permit 30 days of receipt of the application 8. Time limits for the Director, the public and the Advisory Council on the Environment to respond

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO)

A guide to environmental impact assessment ordinance 13. Public access to information under the Ordinance Section 15 of the Ordinance requires the Director to set up and maintain a register containing project profiles, EIA study briefs, EIA reports, environmental permits and other key decisions made by the Director. The register, which is open for inspection by the public during normal office hours, ensures transparency of the statutory EIA process.

Golf development in other areas In the USA: Golf Course Superintendents Association of America They have worked out a framework and regulations for golf development in the States ( In South East Asia: There is no law or regulations specifically dealing with golf course development in general. Problems: environmental pollution (of soil, air, water,...), clearance of rain forest e.g. the Langkawi Island in Malaysia, water depletion, displacement of local communities... In Europe (esp. in Spain): In Spain, golf tourism is very popular  growing no. of courses  running out of ground water. Government started to regulate the development of golf courses.  The Global Anti-Golf Movement (held in Panang, Malaysia, 1993)

Conclusion Generally, we found out that stakeholders lack awareness of environmental protection. There is also a lack of public participation in the whole development from planning, consultation, construction to management and maintenance of the golf course. Moreover, local communities, i.e. residents of Tai Tau Chau and Kau Sai Chau are not sufficiently consulted.

Conclusion We would suggest a system of participatory procedures involving scientists, stakeholders, advocates, active citizens and users of knowledge (as suggested in “Sustainability Science”, Kates et al). As mentioned recently by the Chief Executive’s in his recent policy address on environmental protection measures, “We promote community participation by raising awareness and devise practical response plans to tackle critical and difficult situations”