Islands District Councillor for Peng Chau and Hei Ling Chau Josephine Tsang Sau-ho proposed on Tuesday to set up taxi pick-up and drop-off points in various estates in the private gated community that is home to about 16,000 residents, and Nim Shue Wan, a dormitory small village for Discovery Bay workers on the south side of Discovery Bay, for residents to take cabs from Peng Chau, a one-km small island located off the northeastern coast of Lantau Island.

People currently travel to and from Discovery Bay to Peng Chau -- known for its temples, fishing industry and seafood -- via kaito ferry, which runs about five trips a day.

Tsang's proposal would mean taxis will be allowed free rein within Discovery Bay, when currently red and blue taxis are only allowed up to North Plaza on the northern tip of the enclave.

Residents can then catch shuttle buses which cost HK$5.20 to go to their homes, or a hire car also run by the Discovery Bay developer.

A group chat of Discovery Bay residents saw most residents saying they oppose the proposal as "district councillors speak like their interests in having easy commute is more important than Discovery-bayers who actually live here".

Another posted: "Worse still, now we don't even have a [District Council] member to represent us. How their final 'solution' can reflect the interest of Discovery-bayers is highly questionable."

Another commented: "I don't want taxis coming into Discovery Bay other than the current drop-off point. It is not fair to have a [District Council] of another place propose changes that impact Discovery Bay residents."

Discovery Bay's elected member on the Islands District Council, Civic Party's Amy Yung Wing-sheung, resigned in July this year over the oath-swearing requirement.

The proposal to allow more taxis into Discovery Bay was first broached 10 years ago, according to long-time residents who have knowledge of the district council work.

Tuesday's proposal was made after Yung resigned by a Peng Chau district councillor "who had no business" with Discovery Bay, one said, raising suspicions on the timing of the suggestion.

It was "nonsense", the source said, adding "the taxi proposal will do nothing for Peng Chau people".

Discovery Bay roads are not built for heavy traffic, there are no zebra crossings and no traffic lights, with more vehicular traffic posing risks to residents, another said.

On October 26, 2014, the Transport Department gazetted to allow taxis and coaches to enter Discovery Bay via the Discovery Bay Tunnel whereas 24 sections were listed as no-stopping restrictions including Parkland Drive, Seabee Lane and Parkridge Crescent.

At the council meeting on Tuesday, which was held closed-door to prevent protests, "pro-taxi" representatives claimed that they had received comments from residents in Discovery Bay and on Peng Chau that they prefer having taxis and how it's fairer and more convenient for Peng Chau residents to travel to outside of Discovery Bay if they can get taxis.

No such survey was made among residents, with the discussion coming as a surprise, according to the chat group.

The Islands District Lands Office said that according to the terms of the land lease of Discovery Bay, the lessee Hong Kong Resort Co, shall provide parking spaces to the vehicles authorized in writing for parking and loading or unloading.

The Transport Department said in a written reply that Hong Kong Resort can submit relevant traffic assessments and road control proposals, as well as consult the residents and the related industries, if it intends to expand the taxi area within Discovery Bay.

The department also said that it will take into account various factors after receiving the relevant proposals, including the impact on traffic and transport services and the views of the public.