By Channey Chan, Carlokas Ho, Esther Ng, Elby Ip and Pearl Chan

Introduction to Kau Sai Chau (I) 5th largest island of HK Lie in the centre of Port Shelter Large mangrove community on the north part of island (reservoir)

Introduction to Kau Sai Chau (II)

History of Kau Sai Chau (I) : military training in aerial bombing and artillery shelling by HK government Fire damage and soil erosion by shelling and hillfires Dominated by low shrubs and grasses

History of Kau Sai Chau (II) Before After

About the Public Golf Course (I) Jockey Club was aware of the growing wish of golf course –Build a public golf course with 2 sites, north and south Agreement with HK government –HK government: land –Jockey Club: construction and maintenance Environmental assessments –Before construction –Become framework of EIA for EPD

About the Public Golf Course (II) Known as environmentally friendly golf course –"Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" – 1st golf course in China to win this distinction Aim at promoting golf to public Not-for-profit-making basis Has started the 3rd site construction in 2006 Adopt a long sustainable plan

Rationale for Choice Target: Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course i. Historical background military training in bombing and shelling ii. Common sense of building golf course environmentally unfriendly iii. Recreational facilities first public golf course

Our Goals Is Kau Sai Chau golf course really environmentally unfriendly? Impacts Positive? Negative? Assess sustainability of golf course Any further development? Any impacts on other aspects?

Research Methods of Baseline Information Primary research : –Interviews with stakeholders Kevin Yuen, general manager of the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited –Observation Secondary materials : –Government publications –Newspaper searching –Internet –Printed books

Community Project –provision of a healthy sport –encouragement of compliance in etiquette and fairness indoctrinate proper values to younger generation harmonization of family (parent-child activities) Baseline Conditions and Impacts Social Aspect (I)

–providing therapeutic services to people with disabilities –assisting in fund raising activities –expanding elite golfer training to the grass- root level Baseline Conditions and Impacts Social Aspect (II)

–attracting more visitors to Sai Kung positive effect on local economy –provision of jobs –minimizing the drain of wealth from Hong Kong to other golf cities –enhancing the growth of golf industry Baseline Conditions and Impacts Economic Aspect

Before development: little habitats degraded by hill fires soil erosion, washouts shell damages resulted from artillery practices in the 1950s Baseline Conditions and Impacts Environmental Aspect

Benefits: converted the barren island to a scenic place (improved visual effect) re-colonization of flora and fauna reduced soil erosion increased hill fire control preserve coastline Baseline Conditions and Impacts Environmental Aspect

Present: minimum use of pesticides planting of environmentally friendly turf grass Seashore Paspalum for the 3 rd golf course currently under construction Baseline Conditions and Impacts Environmental Aspect

Served as a blueprint for the drafting and establishment of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) which came into effect in 1998, two years after the KSC golf course had been opened. Resulted in clearer categorization of development projects requiring environmental permits: outdoor golf course development is one of the categories of designated projects in the EIAO. Green groups are part of the advisory/monitoring committees in development projects ( the government tends to be more responsive to the environmental concerns of the public and Green groups). Baseline Conditions and Impacts Political Aspect

Types of Participants (I) KSC golf course Environmental groups (green groups) –World Wide Fund, The Conservancy Association, Friends of the Earth Golf players and visitors Government departments –Environmental Protection Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Planning Department and Sustainable Development Council

Types of Participants (II) Environmental consultants Sai Kung residents Sai Kung fishermen Kau Sai villagers

Interrelations of Participants Society Politics Community Environment Economy

Examples of Interrelations Society Economy –e.g. Sai Kung Residents and Job Provision to Sai Kung Residents Politics Environment –e.g. Legislation of EIA and HK water quality