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1. Wan Chai reclamation plan back on the road

2. Picture of Day

3. Housing Authority Chairman hears views on housing issues

1. Wan Chai reclamation plan back on the road
CHLOE LAI, SCMP 24 January 2005

Up to 25 hectares of land will be reclaimed along the Wan Chai waterfront under new versions of the government plan to relieve traffic congestion on Hong Kong Island.

This is just one hectare less than the controversial reclamation plan that was quashed by the Court of Final Appeal a year ago.

The three new options for the Wan Chai reclamation were released for public consultation by the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee yesterday. The first would see 23 hectares of land reclaimed, most of it being used to create a huge waterfront promenade that would link up with Victoria Park. The highway would be built underground. But this design would be the most expensive to build and operate.

Under the second option only 10 hectares would be reclaimed. Half the highway would be placed in a tunnel, the rest elevated above ground. Not much space would be left for the promenade.

The third option would be the cheapest but 25 hectares of land would be needed. Most of the highway would be built at ground level, with the roadworks dissecting the open space.

Leung Kong-yui, chairman of the advisory body's Wan Chai development sub-committee, said he hoped the concept plans would stimulate discussion and help the public reach a consensus.

Ma Lee-tak, project manager of the Territorial Development Department, said other options would be considered. "The public should come up with new suggestions if they don't like any one of them ... It is possible that none of the three options will be selected."

Mr Ma could not say how much the options would cost since they were only at the concept stage. But he said the first option would be about 50 per cent more expensive to build and 30 per cent more to operate than the third plan.

The second option would be 10 per cent higher in both building and operating costs than the third.

Mr Leung said the second option would be worst in terms of visual impact, air quality and public accessibility to the waterfront.

The first and third would improve water quality at the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter by removing the inner bay.

The public will have three months to comment on the proposals. The committee will organise forums and conduct opinion polls to gather views.

Mr Ma said a detailed draft plan would be completed by the end of the year, with the final proposal submitted to the Town Planning Board next year. Reclamation works will start in 2007, with the project to be finished in 2012.

Last year's Court of Final Appeal ruling laid down three principles for reclamation works on Victoria Harbour. These are: that there is a compelling and present need, that there is no viable alternative and that the work would cause the minimum amount of impairment to the harbour.

Mr Leung said the committee was not sure whether the new concept plans would fulfil these legal requirements. "But we should first come up with a consensus among the public."

Kwok Ka-ki, independent lawmaker and convenor of Action Group on the Protection of Victoria Harbour, insisted that no land should be reclaimed. He warned that the government would face another lawsuit if the plans went ahead.

"The public should only be consulted on two options, reclamation or no reclamation," he said.

2. Picture of Day
SCMP, 24 January 2005 Photo: AFP

Dressed to impress. Police officers march in New Delhi yesterday during a final full-dress rehearsal for India’s Republic Day celebrations.

3. Housing Authority Chairman hears views on housing issues
Hong Kong Government, 24 January 2005

The following press release is issued on behalf on the Housing Authority:

The Chairman of the Housing Authority, Mr Michael Suen, listened to views on housing issues expressed by Estate Management Advisory Committee members during a visit to Shan King Estate and Tai Hing Estate in Tuen Mun today (January 24).

Today's visit is one of Mr Suen's regular visits to Public Rental Housing (PRH) estates to gather views on housing issues. Members of the Housing Authority and Subsidised Housing Committee joining the visit are Mr Wong Kwun, Ms Siu Yuen-sheung, Mr Ho Sai Chu, Mr Kwong Hoi-chau, Mr Cheung Yu-yan and Ms Ip Chiu-ping.

The party first called on Shan King Estate, one of the four PRH estates currently offered for sale at the end of August last year under the Tenants Purchase Scheme Phase 6A.

On arrival, the party first met with market stall and shop operators, visited a household at King Fu House who had recently joined the Tenants Purchase Scheme and toured newly-built amenity facilities for the elderly.

At Tai Hing Estate, Mr Suen and party members were briefed on a lift modernisation programme to launch at Hing Cheong House, Hing Shing House and Hing Tai House after the Lunar New Year.

The party also toured the Neighbourhood Advice-action Council Hostel for the mentally handicapped.

Before concluding the visit, the party met with tenant representatives and members of the Estate Management Advisory Committees and listened to views expressed by them on matters in relation to the two estates.