Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 24) released the latest grading of water quality for six gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.
Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and two as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Golden Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach
Silverstrand Beach
Grade 2 beaches are:
Casam Beach
Lido Beach
Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
Photo source: the official website of EPD
Approved Ma Tau Kok Outline Zoning Plan amended
The Town Planning Board today (December 24) announced amendments to the approved Ma Tau Kok Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The amendments mainly involve revising the building height restriction from five storeys to 114 metres above Principal Datum for the "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") zone currently occupied by the Evangel Hospital at Argyle Street.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.
The draft Ma Tau Kok OZP No. S/K10/31, incorporating the amendments, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Kowloon District Planning Office, and (iv) the Kowloon City District Office.
Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before February 24, 2026. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on "Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations" (TPB PG-No. 29C).
Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29C. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:
* If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29C, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.
The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) and the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Copies of the draft Ma Tau Kok OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
