Hong Kong Standard — 22 July 2011
About seven out of 10 those polled by the Civic Party want an independent consultant to evaluate the economic impact of the proposed third airport runway.
About seven out of 10 those polled by the Civic Party want an independent consultant to evaluate the economic impact of the proposed third airport runway.
The party conducted a telephone survey involving 1,365 respondents from June 20 to June 27.
It found that 67 percent agree the Legislative Council should employ an independent consultant to review the accuracy of financial data provided by the Airport Authority.
In its consultation document, the authority estimates that, with the additional runway, economic benefits will reach HK$912 billion in 2009 dollars over a 50-year period from 2012 to 2061, compared with HK$432 billion if the current two-runway system is simply modified.
It claims the model used to estimate the economic benefits of a third runway is widely adopted in the United States.
Party vice chairman Albert Lai Kwong- tak said the criteria used fails to take environmental costs into account and he presented the poll results yesterday to back up party claims.
The poll also found 68 percent agree the government should conduct an environmental assessment of the runway and recommend compensatory measures.
Lai said the strategic environmental assessment should also include the impact of other projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Macau Bridge and reclamation of surrounding neighborhoods, in particular Tung Chung, Ma Wan and Tuen Mun.
Party member and legislator Tanya Chan Suk-chong said conflicting roles should be avoided as the authority “can’t be the player and referee at the same time.”
Chan said: “The Transport and Housing Bureau should take over the public consultation to show credibility.” Other departments should also be involved, including the Environment Bureau.
Lai reiterated that the party is not opposed to a third runway but information is insufficient to assist a public consultation.