Following is a question by the Hon Edward Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, in the Legislative Council today (January 18):
Question:
There are views that although a number of lighthouses in Hong Kong have been declared as historic buildings or monuments, it is difficult for the public to get to know the related history and culture as the Government does not open these lighthouses to the public due to safety or military reasons. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the existing number of lighthouses within the territory of Hong Kong that are managed by the Government, and the government departments responsible for the relevant management and maintenance work;
(2) of the existing channels through which the public may visit and explore the lighthouses in Hong Kong; whether the authorities have organised any lighthouse-themed tourism, cultural or conservation activities for public participation in the past five years; and
(3) as it is learnt that many countries and regions have developed "lighthouse tourism" by conserving lighthouses and revitalizing adjacent obsolete buildings into small-scaled exhibition halls, with a view to achieving more synergy between the lighthouses and scenic spots in the vicinity, whether the authorities will develop lighthouse tourism by bringing into play the lighthouse monuments and cultural heritage in Hong Kong?
Reply:
President,
In consultation with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Development Bureau and relevant government departments, a consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Edward Leung is provided below:
Lighthouses are aids to navigation. They are equipped with navigational lights to assist vessels in navigation, so as to ensure marine and navigational safety. For security reasons and in order to avoid affecting daily operations, lighthouses are generally not open to the public.
There are currently seven lighthouses in Hong Kong. They include Tathong Point Lighthouse, Cape Collinson Lighthouse (Grade 3 historic building), Cape D'Aguilar Lighthouse (declared monument), New Green Island Lighthouse (declared monument), Old Green Island Lighthouse (declared monument), Waglan Lighthouse (declared monument) and Tang Lung Chau Lighthouse (declared monument). The Old Green Island Lighthouse is managed by the Government Property Agency, while the other lighthouses are managed by the Marine Department. The Architectural Services Department is responsible for the structural maintenance and repair of the aforementioned lighthouses. As for the lighthouses which are declared monuments, the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) offers technical advice from heritage conservation perspective, and vets and approves the works proposals.
In conjunction with the "Muse Fest HK 2019" launched by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the AMO organised a heritage tour to Cape D'Aguilar Lighthouse and Cape Collinson Lighthouse in 2019. A public lecture on "The Historic Lighthouses in Hong Kong" was also held in 2020. In addition, the LCSD organised a public lecture on "About Lighthouses of Hong Kong" in 2022 to enhance public understanding of the lighthouses in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the AMO has uploaded information on declared monuments and graded historic buildings (including lighthouses) on its website for public browsing.
The Government attaches great importance to the management and conservation of lighthouses. Relevant Government departments will actively consider Member's suggestions to organise lighthouse-themed activities for public participation on the premise of not affecting navigational safety and daily operation of the lighthouses, so that members of the public and tourists could acquire an understanding of the historical and cultural values of the lighthouses in Hong Kong.
Ends/Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:35