Discovery Bay

Discovery Bay (DB; ) is a residential development in Hong Kong, located on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories. It spans 6.5 square kilometres on two bays, Tai Pak Wan (大白灣) and Yi Pak Wan (二白灣). It has a current population of around 14,300 residents [http://www.dbay.com.hk/linkspages/db_glance.htm with a sizable expatriate community of residents from over thirty countries. DB is located two kilometres west of Hong Kong Disneyland in Penny's Bay and approximately 16 kilometres west from the nearest point on Hong Kong Island, with the co-ordinates .

As a self-contained residential community marketed primarily on its resort characteristics, the development is unique in Hong Kong. DB is relatively low-density, boasts a private beach, several recreational clubs including golf and marina clubs, and significantly more parks and open space than any other Hong Kong development. DB, however, is the second most populous place on the sparsely populated Lantau Island. Furthermore, pets are allowed, unlike many other developments in Hong Kong. DB currently consists of 13 development phases with properties ranging from garden houses to high rise towers of up to 25 stories. DB is eventually expected to be home to 25,000 residents and a number of new phases are currently either under development or in the planning stages.

History

Originally conceived in 1976 by the developer, Hong Kong Resort Company Limited (HKR) in agreement with the Hong Kong government as a public holiday resort, the plan was later transformed into a residential development, albeit with certain resort characteristics as financial difficulties ensued. This was unofficially done; the plan originally envisaged public golf courses, a cable car network, beaches and holiday homes - and yet, today only the beach on Tai Pak Wan and the Central Park on Yi Pak Wan are available for public use.

Furthermore, the development was found to have encroached on government land. The change to the plan from a public holiday resort to a private residential development attracted controversy from the government, local media and the general public during 2004–2005, resulting in subsequent debates in the Legislative Council ^* - which concluded that while the government approved the changes in plans, land premiums that are payable in conjunction with the changes were never paid - nor requested by the government in the twenty-plus years since.

Construction of DB began in the early 1980s. The final idea of a self-contained community with resort characteristics was unique and proved very popular in Hong Kong; when the first phase of DB went on sale in 1982, houses and flats sold out quickly. Subsequent phases continue to sell successfully.

Current development

Discovery Bay was developed in phases and the developer, HKR, envisage that DB will eventually be home to 25,000 residents. The following data applies as of December 2005:

Phases of development:

Phase 1: Beach Village (Seabird Lane, Seahorse Lane), Headland Village (Seabee Lane 1-11, Headland Drive), Parkridge Village
Phase 2: Midvale Village (Middle Lane)
Phase 3: Headland Village (Seabee Lane), Parkvale Village, Hillgrove Village, Parkland Drive
Phase 4: Peninsula Village
Phase 5: Greenvale Village
Phase 6: DB Plaza
Phase 7: La Vista, Bijou Hamlet
Phase 8: La Costa
Phase 9: La Serene
Phase 10: Neo Horizon
Phase 11: Siena One
Phase 12: Siena Two
Phase 13: Chianti ^*

Recently completed:

Siena 1 (2002)
Siena 2 (2003)
Club Siena (2004)
Chianti (2006)

Current and planned projects:

In early 2005, the developer HKR announced plans to renovate DB Plaza, particularly its dated restaurant complex, to turn DB into a "Coastal Leisure & Entertainment Landmark" with a more natural access to the beach, more al fresco dining options, and an updated image for the plaza. The plans met opposition from some residents owing to the closure of many restaurants for the duration of the renovation and the complete lack of prior consultation with residents prior to the announcement. Nevertheless, construction is currently progressing with the refurbished complex scheduled to open by the end of 2006.

Renovation of DB Plaza complex to create a 'Coastal Leisure and Entertainment Landmark' (late-2006)
Development of a shopping mall, hotel resort with spa facilities and new ferry pier in Yi Pak Wan (2008)
Yi Pak Transport Interchange and associated works (mid-2008) ^*
Construction of a private independent 'through-train' school operated by the English Schools Foundation (2008)
Construction of government-aided 'through-train' school operated by the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong (2008)

Community, recreation and entertainment

Community life in Discovery Bay is centred on DB Plaza, a commercial hub containing a bus terminus, ferry pier, an open piazza, and a range of shops including a supermarket operated by PARKnSHOP, speciality stores, restaurants and food outlets offering al fresco dining and drinking, medical clinics, and a vet to serve the large pet population.

DB boasts a huge range of amenities, including one man-made beach at Tai Pak Wan, four recreational clubs including a 27-hole golf course and a marina (where some residents choose to live on yachts moored in the marina), natural streams and rock pools, bicycle tracks, astro-turf football pitch, basketball court, numerous children's playgrounds and good hiking paths leading to other parts of Lantau Island - including the Trappist Haven Monastery and Mui Wo.

Clubs in DB:

Discovery Bay Residents' Club (DBRC)
Discovery Bay Marina Club (DBMC)
Discovery Bay Golf Club (DBGC)
Club Siena

Membership of the clubs is separate from residency in DB; unlike many other Hong Kong developments, residents are not automatically members of the respective clubs; they may choose to become a member by paying a deposit and monthly fees to the respective clubs. This is a point of contention in the community - for example, domestic helpers, which are popular in Hong Kong, must apply for separate membership if they were to supervise children in activities at the club. The exception to the rule is that members of DBRC are automatically members of Club Siena, and vice-versa.

This could be explained by historical circumstances of the development: In the early days of the development, membership of the Residents' Club was automatic and compulsory, and indeed, stored value ferry tickets for the ferries (the only means of commuting to and from Discovery Bay at the time) were exclusively sold by the club to its members. These rules were eventually changed following objections from many residents.

DBMC provides berthing and land-based facilities for boat owners, many of whom live on their vessels. The Marina opens into Nim Shue Wan, a bay immediately to the West of DB, where there is also a public landing stage used by cargo boats and by privately operated ferries known as kai tos that provide shuttle services between DB, the nearby Peng Chau Island and the Trappist Haven Monastery pier about 2 kilometres along the Lantau coast to the West. A kai to service has also replaced the high-speed ferry to Mui Wo (Silvermine Bay) that was formerly operated by DBTPL.

Discovery Bay is a twenty minute bus ride from Tung Chung, where a number of additional options, from a multiplex cinema to three shopping malls, are available.

A number of resident-run activities are also based in DB, offering more choices to the community. These include the Lantau Boat Club and numerous religious worship services including Christian churches of all different denominations.

Transportation network

DB is accessible from the rest of Hong Kong via sea, land and air: By sea via ferry services or privately-owned yachts; by road via the Discovery Bay Tunnel, or by air via the helipad (the latter is generally used only for medical emergencies or ferrying various VIPs).

All services (apart from Kai-to services) accept Hong Kong's Octopus card as well as cash. In addition, ferries also accept single-journey and 50-journey electronic tickets. Half-price discounts are offered for children, students under the age of 18 and senior citizens on both bus and ferry routes.

External transport

Scheduled external public transport services include:

Ferry services

A 24-hour high-speed ferry service ply between DB Pier on Tai Pak Wan and Pier 3 in Central District on Hong Kong Island (journey time of approximately 25-30 minutes; frequency of around 20-30 minutes during day time, up to 90 minutes during night times; additional services are operated during peak/rush hours). Current ticket prices are HKD$27 for a single journey ticket; discounts for 50-trip tickets. Since end-2005, ferries are equipped with free on-board Wi-Fi wireless broadband internet, which is unique not only in Hong Kong but across Asia. First Wi-Fi Service on Ferries in Asia commences in Discovery Bay http://www.hkri.com/cms1/hkr/hkr2771.html
Kai-to ferries operated by an independent operator link Discovery Bay to nearby Peng Chau Island (via Trappist Haven Monastery) and Mui Wo, also on Lantau Island (journey time approx. 10 and 20 minutes respectively)

Ferries were the main, and until the opening of the DB Tunnel in 2000, the only way to reach Discovery Bay. Ferries remain the main way to reach DB; and are operated by Discovery Bay Transportation Services Limited (DBTPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HKR. The route between Discovery Bay and Central are served by monohull and catamaran waterjets manufactured by Marinteknik in Singapore; seating 300 and 500 passengers respectively. Journeys are advertised to take under 25 minutes, although travelling times can be severely lengthened by adverse weather conditions or debris in the sea which block the waterjet engines.

Road transport

Four bus routes operated by Discovery Bay Transit Services Limited (DBTSL), another wholly-owned subsidiary of HKR, link Discovery Bay with the rest of Hong Kong via the Discovery Bay Tunnel:

DB01R: From DB Plaza to Tung Chung MTR station (journey time approx. 20-25 minutes; frequency of every 20 minutes during day time)
DB01P: From DB Plaza to Siu Ho Wan Government Road Depot (journey time approx. 10 minutes; three journeys per day, weekdays only)
DB02R: From DB Plaza to Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok (via Cathay City; journey time approx. 30 minutes; 24-hour service)
DB03R: From DB Plaza to Sunny Bay MTR station (journey time approx. 20 minutes; frequency of every 20 minutes during day time)

In 2000, a 630 m ^* road tunnel linking Discovery Bay to the North Lantau Expressway opened, enabling access to DB by road - and shortening the journey to other parts of Lantau, Kowloon and the New Territories. From the tunnel's inauguration, shuttle bus services (DB01R) run Tung Chung town and the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok; and shortly after the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland and the Sunny Bay station in September 2005, an additional route between Sunny Bay and DB (DB03R) was launched, further shortening the time to reach Kowloon and New Territories. In addition, various flat-rate hire-car vans are available to reach these destinations.

Internal transport

Commuting within the development is done via a 24-hour internal shuttle bus service operated by DBTSL, which runs between various parts of Discovery Bay.

Private transport

As part of an effort to maintain an environmentally friendly lifestyle, private cars are generally not permitted to enter the area, with a few exceptions for certain agents of the developer and local businesses, which may apply for entry permits. Some residents have golf carts to commute from one part of DB to another; although as supply is highly restricted to a total of 500 vehicles, demand for golf carts push prices up to around HK$600,000 – even more expensive than a brand new car.

Education

DB is served by three kindergartens and two primary schools. A number of residential play-groups are also operated by various independent operators.

With its burgeoning children and young adult population, school places in DB are limited; furthermore, there are currently no secondary schools in the development. As a result, many students, both primary and secondary, travel by ferry to various secondary schools located on Hong Kong Island, or by bus to the schools in Tung Chung and the New Territories.

Kindergartens:

Sunshine House
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) Kindergarten
Discovery Mind Kindergarten

Primary schools:

Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) (private international primary school)
SKH Wei Lun Primary School (government-aided primary school)

Primary and Secondary 'Through-Train' Schools (proposed):

Discovery Bay Catholic School (proposed; government-funded school operated by the Catholic Church)
Discovery Bay Private Independent School (PIS) (proposed; to be operated by the English Schools Foundation Educational Services Ltd.)

Municipal services

Discovery Bay is entirely privately-owned; the developer, HKR manages the development, provides community facilities as well as transportation services. Until 2000, DB had its own private water supply from a reservoir and water treatment plant located near the golf course in the mountain valley above the estate. Since then DB has been connected to the municipal supply from the Water Supplies Department which sources its water both from reservoirs throughout Hong Kong, Lantau Island and the New Territories and from the mainland's Pearl River Delta. Current municipal facilities provided by the government include a fire station and ambulance depot, a post office, a subsidised school, and a police reporting post. Additional police and fire services are available when necessary from Tung Chung.

Issues and criticisms

Like many developments, DB has its own share of issues. An oft-made complaint is that DB is expensive compared to the rest of Hong Kong; from its monopolised recreation and entertainment clubs to its limited shopping options. Furthermore, various groups such as teenagers and the elderly complain that there are few activities catered to them. Plans have been made to open a skating area for the former, also to be used as a Tai-Chi area for the latter. However, although an area has been paved for this purpose, the opening is stalled as discussions with nearby residents are still being held. The recent decision to renovate the restaurant complex in DB Plaza for an entire year has rekindled such concerns; the lack of food options mean that residents are forced to utilise outlets operated by the various Clubs, which, of course, is owned by the developer.

Transport

A frequent complaint is with regard to its monopolised transportation. Whereas other parts of Hong Kong is generally well-served by frequent transport options from competing operators, DB is served solely by DBTSL and DBTPL, both subsidiaries of the developer, HKR. These services, while reliable, take longer than the advertised times. For example, ferry services to Central are advertised to take 25 minutes, and bus services to Tung Chung and Sunny Bay as 10 minutes, although in reality, a figure of 25-30 minutes and 20-25 minutes would be more accurate.

Another issue is with drivers' blatant disregard for and the lack of enforcement of the 50 kilometres per hour speed limit; resulting in numerous accidents. ^*

Construction

As a ongoing residential development, construction sites and the related dust and noise is an ever-present issue in Discovery Bay. Furthermore, buildings are generally renovated every seven years in order to ensure higher property values and greater return for landlords. However, this produces significant inconvenience to residents during the renovation period, which can take up to a year or more, with months where the property is encased with scaffoldings - making crime a problem - and significant noise where tiles and walls are removed. Residents who began a poster campaign complaining the issues subsequently had their posters and flyers removed by the developers' representatives, City Managemement. Discovery Bay Hell: Discovery Bay Beach Village Renovations: noise disaster disruption http://discoverybayhell.blogspot.com/

Miscellaneous

DB suffers few natural disasters, with the exception of typhoons and hillfires as a result of a mixture of dry weather and carelessness often attributed to the many construction projects taking place in and around the area.

References

External links

Official sites

Community information