Calls to open Bishop Hill reservoir for public viewing after stabilization works

The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors has called on the government to restore what has been taken apart at the Bishop Hill reservoir, and make public viewing available after stabilization works were done on the site.

A century-old Romanesque cistern with 100 pillars has been unearthed at Bishop Hill in Shek Kip Mei earlier, causing authorities to halt demolition work amid public outcry.

The institute, along with several current and former members of the Antiquities Advisory Board today urged the authorities to recover parts that were demolished, and preserve them well in order to repair the structure in the future.

“Before having a long-term revitalization plan for the reservoir, it should be made available to the public for viewing on a reservation system, or make use of online platforms to allow members of the public to admire the structures,” said the institute.

The experts said officials should take a look at the heritage value of all the abandoned pre-war architecture, and improve communication between the Antiquities and Monuments Office and other government departments to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

A former committee member of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Bernard Lim Wan-fung, stressed that the government should engage the public, consulting them on how the site should be preserved.

The Water Supplies Department, meanwhile, had started temporary reinforcement work for some of the structures this morning, with the site being fenced off with signs telling the public not to enter the site for safety reasons.