Heap of trouble: residents protest at lack of action over illegal and ‘unstable’ earth mound in Hong Kong’s Tin Shui Wai
Excavators and dump trucks work on at New Territories site as deadline passes for owners to take safety measures
The fate of a massive illegal mound in Tin Shui Wai remains unresolved, despite a government order to landowners to carry out work to stabilise the structure.
Last week, the buildings and civil engineering department ruled the slopes of the earth formation opposite Kingswood Gardens as potentially “unstable” and “dangerous”.
They urged the landowners, who claim to be building a golf course, to submit a remedial proposal to ensure public safety and carry out shotcreting – spraying a layer of concrete over the structure – to prevent further deterioration of the slope in heavy rain.
But by Tuesday’s deadline, there were no signs any action being taken by the government or landowners, who are associated with Yuen Long’s powerful Tang clan. Excavators and dump trucks continued to work on the mound.
According to land records, the larger lot in question is held under a family trust. Its manager, Tang Tat-sin, could not be reached for comment.
Tin Shui Wai residents say they have “had enough” of the owner’s intransigence and the government’s inability to take enforcement action at this site and in nearby Lau Fau Shan, where another five-metre high “waste hill” was discovered on Monday.
Residents staged a protest at the Tin Shui Wai site and announced the formation of a concern group to call for action. They stuck protesters letters onto earthmovers at the site.
“These types of illegal site formations are supposed to be prevented through by government enforcement,” said Yuen Long district councillor Kwong Chun-yu, who is assisting the residents.
The Environmental Protection Department said it was still gathering evidence to take action over the landowner’s alleged failure to prevent dispersion of dust.
The Buildings Department, which set the deadline, said it had made contact with the owners and would follow up the case.
