Peak light project faces backlash over ecology and consultation
HK01 · 4 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
A planned light-and-shadow project at The Peak has become controversial after residents, hikers and politicians said the installations undermine the area’s quiet natural character. Concerns raised include lights tied to trees, exposed wiring, equipment placed on grassed areas and possible safety risks for children, pets and wildlife. The Hong Kong Tourism Board said on 18 October that it understood public concerns, would maintain close communication with residents and stakeholders, conduct broader consultation, review the overall arrangements and refine project details before announcing updated plans in due course.
Key Points
- The project was planned for the Lugard Road and Harlech Road area on The Peak, where critics said newly added kerbs, metal poles and other fixtures looked intrusive
- New People’s Party lawmaker Judy Chan Ka-pui (陳家珮) inspected the site on 21 October with party colleague Kwok Chun-kit (郭浚傑) and later wrote to officials urging the project be halted or terminated.
- Chan said many trees had been fitted with lighting, walking paths had exposed facilities, and some wires and devices were positioned low enough to be touched by passers-by, children or pets.
- Island West district councillor Chan Hok-fung (陳學鋒) said consultation had reached only some local councillors, which was insufficient for a hiking route used by people from across Hong Kong
- Critics also questioned whether the attraction would fit the site, with Chan saying Harlech Road offers mainly tree views while visitors usually go to The Peak for Victoria Harbour’s night skyline
Why It Matters
The dispute goes beyond aesthetics and raises a practical question about how Hong Kong should balance tourism promotion with conservation and everyday public use of popular green spaces. It also puts pressure on officials to show that consultation on projects affecting widely used public trails is broad enough, transparent enough and backed by clear visual plans before works proceed.