Qi Luo
Monday, October 27, 2014
A better MTR service, public market and park - those are the three things most Tung Chung people want to see.
The Community Development Alliance, founded by social workers to assist the poor, polled 200 residents on what facilities are required most in Tung Chung.
The three came out top.
The poll also showed that three out of 10 would like to have cheaper supermarkets not carrying exclusive brands as at the Citygate mall more banks, ATMs, pet shops and restaurants.
A similar proportion would like to see more swimming pools and 39 percent want improved transport links, with the Tung Chung MTR line serving more of the district.
Alliance community organizer Yeung Cheuk-shun said those who live in public housing at the Yat Tung Estate need to take a bus after getting off at the MTR station because it takes at least half an hour to walk.
"The proportion of public housing in Tung Chung is high," Yeung said.
"The area is remote and the monopoly is serious. The prices and transportation are both heavy burdens.
"Because of that, residents may spend less time going out of Tung Chung and visiting other places."
Resident Law Shu-wa, who has lived in the area for 13 years, said a big problem is he cannot find everything he needs in Tung Chung and goods are more expensive there.
"We do not need international brands of clothes. They're for tourists, " he said. "I hope there will be more cheaper products."
Yeung said the development of Tung Chung should be people-oriented and should not ignore residents' needs.
"The government claimed that the development is to improve the quality of life for residents and bring job opportunities," he said.
"But it suggested increasing many tourism facilities. Could developing tourism on a large scale really improve employment?"
With the 20,000 population of the Yat Tung Estate set to increase as the third stage is completed in 2018, facilities face being overburdened.
Yeung urged the government to offer discounted rents for residents who sell Tung Chung products in the future tourism area.
About 56 percent of the 260,000 people in the town live in public housing with 44 percent in private housing.
Yeung asked for the consultation on the Tung Chung new town development, to end on Friday, be extended.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=150770&sid=43237491&con_type=1&d_str=20141027&fc=1
