Apparently, the government's confidence in its ability to manage and standardise everything now extends to re-creating nature itself.
This from the Government newswire:
Bathing beach set for Lung MeiA bathing beach is due to be built at Lung Mei in Tai Po to serve the eastern New Territories, the Development Bureau says. Works will begin early 2009 for completion by early 2011. About 56,360 square metres of foreshore and sea-bed at Lung Mei will be affected.
A government notice is gazetted today and posted near the site, and the plan can be seen at the Lands Department Survey & Mapping Office in North Point and at the Tai Po District Office. Anyone who has an interest, right or easement in or over the concerned foreshore and sea-bed may submit an objection to the Director of Lands by April 6.
They slipped this announcement out on the first day of Chinese New Year, presumably hoping to bury it. What nightmare are the bureaucrats going to create here?

Concrete loving leaders merrily driving us to eco hell
Crap plan, small in the scheme of things, but to me another sign that too many of our "leaders" [worldwide] are bent on driving us to an environmental hell
Can assume there will be a fair bit of concrete, too; HK Govt won't be happy otherwise.
The "temporary reclamation" areas in the harbour seem another mad scheme
Re:Build a beach?
I live in the area, and know it well.
This particular area has already beeen ruined by human activity and a previous attempt at beach making. As long as they keep their greasy hands off the nearby mangroves (which they are - at least in this plan) they are welcome to do what they want with this small bay. At least ecologically wise.
Of more importance is the oversight of monies given for what is in effect a small group of shopholders and villagers. Said peoples are determinedly scratching a tourist buck out of what should be no more than a stop off point for the Plovercove hinterland. I understand that the shops and restaurants, even the marina's and watersports centres are popular but I don't see why the Government should pay for the beach.
If these businesses believe that people will flock to the rocky mud and boat oil for a swim, well that's their opinion. But I don't see why we need to pay for it.
Should the Government be of the opinion that this area needs beautification, well then, good on them. But again it's a bit tiresome always having Government money given to local businesses, over the interests of Hong Kong as a whole.
But then again it's only 100m of beach in an already dirty area, so let them play amongst themselves.
Re:Build a beach?
This project sounds like a complete white elephant. Definitely agree that this is a waste of taxpayers money, the cost/benefit looks very questionable. The water quality here is very poor and I certainly won't be running over to jump in. Appears this project is supported by local politicians and village heads both for political grounds and to improve business and property values.
From recent reports the Environmental Impact Analysis done was highly questionable and the development is close to sensitive ecologically important areas, that will be impacted. Also I don't agree that just because this particular bay looks 'ruined' that is it not still worth restoring and protecting. Recent surveys by HK Wildlife, found >100 species by simply wading in the shallows.
I don't think that this should go through. Objections can still be raised. Have a look at the following.
[Edited: sadly, govt link "dead" by 2012]
hkwildlife suggest swimming pool instead of beach
Latest info, from hkwildlfie.net:
The HK gov's latest
The HK gov's latest reply:
http://www.news.gov.hk/en/categories/environment/html/2012/10/20121008_182932.shtml?pickList=ticker
commonsense needed for Lung Mei
Letter in S China Morning Post on 13 Nov: