Renovation work on the former Iec Long fireworks factory on Taipa has raised the question of what to do with vacant land plots, with district councillors calling for swift action.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has reported it is still working on the revitalisation of the factory, which closed in 1984, and expects to partially open it by the end of this year.
Asbestos has been removed from the factory building in Rua de Fernão Mendes Pinto and water in the preliminary testing area did not contain any harmful substances. One of the repaired buildings will be used as an exhibition hall which will display the history of Macao’s once world-famous firework industry.
However, after hearing the progress report on the factory, members of the Islands District Community Service Consultative Council urged the government to make better use of repossessed land.
Council members Lei Hoi Ha, Cheong Iok Man, Choi Seng Hon and Ng Hong Kei were among those who spoke up.
According to Lei, the number of care homes for senior citizens is limited. Lei cited data from the Statistics and Census Bureau which showed there were 82,000 senior residents (aged 65 years or older) among Macao’s total population of 682,100 in August last year.
Moreover, Lei noted that between 2019 and 2021 the government’s repossession of plots of land in Taipa and Coloane totalled 364,376 square metres. Lei suggested that these plots of land could be used to build multi-function elderly care homes.
Both Cheong and Choi said they worried about how the government would use the land near the Iec Long Firework Factory, which was repossessed last month.
Cheong suggested that the government set up a firework factory museum on that plot of land, aside from preserving the Iec Long Firework Factory because of its historical, cultural and architectural elements.
Choi said that residents living near Iec Long Firework Factory are concerned about how the land will be used by the government. Choi suggested that the government induce visitors to visit the factory site by walking from the direction of Avenida Olímpica so that Taipa Village’s transport pressure wouldn’t be further burdened.
Ng said that a total of 34,800 square metres of repossessed land in Estrada Nordeste da Taipa, Rua da Baia, and Estrada Almirante Magalhães Correia has been left idle since last year.
However, Ng pointed out, the population has been increasing in recent years in the nearby areas. Ng suggested that the Municipal Affairs Bureau use some of the land to set up parks and children’s playgrounds. Moreover, in long-term land use planning, Ng urged the government to establish sports facilities, swimming pools, libraries and shopping centres in the area, The Macau Post Daily reported.
