A plan to fill the fishponds in San Tin starting in 2026 has received conditional endorsement from the Advisory Council on the Environment, according to chairman John Chai Yat-chiu.

He said that the council "unanimously agreed to endorse the environmental impact assessment report with eight conditions and seven recommendations.

"These conditions include habitat construction and management, the establishment of biological corridors, and measures to enhance the Mai Po Wetland and the transitional wetland."

Chai called for a representative workforce consisting of government officials, green group representatives, and scholars to monitor the environmental impact during the construction.

"The government should regularly submit reports to the council and establish bird-friendly guidelines within the construction area," he said.

During the council meeting, Tony Cheung Ka-leung, the project manager of the Civil Engineering and Development Department's North Office, provided further details regarding the construction. Cheung said: "The filling of some 90 hectares of fish ponds in San Tin will take place progressively between 2026 and 2027."

Additionally, the first phase of the 338-hectare Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park is expected to begin by 2031, with completion of the entire wetland park anticipated by 2039.

He added that the administration's commitment to coordinating the wetland environment with the pond filling construction. "The government aims to secure funding to enhance the ecological functions of the wetland in Deep Bay within the current year."

Responding to claims made by green groups in a joint submission to the council, Cheung dismissed allegations of omissions or violations of statutory requirements.

"The government's assessment had already considered the waterbird survey data submitted by the Bird Watching Society, thus eliminating any omissions," he said.

Cheung emphasized that although the area is currently not ecologically friendly, improving the environment of the fishpond will attracted birds to the area, and subsequently increase their population.

He agreed to the environmental impact assessment team's proposal to submit an ecological conservation and management plan at least nine months prior to the start of pond filling construction. However, he rejected the suggestion to expand the width of the biological corridor from 10 meters to 30 meters.

Meanwhile, the administration will consider suggestions to establish otter-friendly staircases at Lok Ma Chau, San Po Shui wetland park, and Inner Deep Bay.

John Chai

San Tin pools to be filled in from 2026