Press Releases
Potential sites for columbarium development - second batch released
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, announced today (December
16), that following the release of the first batch of 12 potential sites in
seven districts earlier this year, the Government has tentatively
shortlisted five more potential sites in another five districts for building
public columbarium facilities.
Briefing the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 18 District Councils on the
latest developments of the review on columbarium policy this morning, Dr
Chow stressed that columbaria are essential facilities for the community and
the Government would continue its efforts to identify suitable sites for
columbarium development.
"With a growing population in Hong Kong, the number of deaths and cremations
has been rising gradually every year. There is a genuine need for the
Government to increase the supply of public columbarium facilities so as to
relieve the shortage of niches," he said.
The Food and Health Bureau earlier conducted a public consultation and the
views collected showed that the community in general agreed that different
districts should collectively share responsibility for developing new
columbarium facilities to meet the overall public demand.
Dr Chow said: "The Government previously released the first batch of 12
potential sites in seven districts in the consultation document on review of
columbarium policy. Subsequently, we have continued with our efforts to
identify suitable sites for columbarium development in other districts. We
have now identified a second batch of potential sites comprising five new
sites in five districts."
The five sites are located in Central and Western District, Wan Chai
District, Sham Shui Po District, Kwun Tong District and Yau Tsim Mong
District respectively. Details are as follows:
* Central and Western District - a site at Mount Davis Road, east of Chiu
Yuen Cemetery;
* Wan Chai District - the Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office (part)
of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at Wong Nai Chung Road;
* Sham Shui Po District - a site north of Ching Cheung Road near Roman
Catholic Cemetery;
* Kwun Tong District - a site next to the ex-Ma Yau Tong Central Landfill
Site; and
* Yau Tsim Mong District - former school within Tin Hau Temple on Temple
Street.
As with the first batch, the Government will study the feasibility of
developing columbaria facilities on the above five sites. Once a site is
identified as suitable for columbarium development, the relevant District
Council will be formally consulted. The Government also pledges to improve
the outlook and layout of the columbarium facilities through flexible
design, in order to ease the concern and anxiety of neighbouring residents.
"The first batch of potential sites covers Eastern District, Wong Tai Sin
District, Sha Tin District, North District, Tuen Mun District, Kwai Tsing
District and Islands District respectively. Together with the potential
sites announced today, we have altogether identified a total of 17 sites in
12 districts. We will continue to identify suitable sites in the remaining
six districts, with a view to making a further announcement in the second
quarter of next year," Dr Chow added.
Dr Chow reiterated that construction of public columbaria is not a task that
can be accomplished overnight. The Government appeals to the District
Councils and local residents for their understanding and support in
implementing the columbarium development projects expeditiously.
Ends/Thursday, December 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:53
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