1 Legco approves HK68m Ngong Ping project
Staff reporters, SCMP 9 January 2008

Lawmakers on Wednesday approved a HK$68 million tourism project at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island – after the government announced it would be put up for tender.
However, the development still faces opposition from lawmakers and League of Social Democrats legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip.

Mr Chan said he disagreed with the project’s layout and urged the Legislative Council to review the project design.

He explained: “The problem of the design is that it has too much concrete. People go to Ngong Ping to be with nature, but 90 per cent of the project is concrete... so to me that design is not well-integrated with the environment,” added Mr Chan.

Government officials had earlier suggested awarding the project to the Mass Transit Railway Corporation without tender, but it was abandoned after objections from legislators.

The project, which consists mainly of a 1.52-hectare public piazza with a Chinese garden and lotus ponds, would be built in the religious Di Tan area adjoining the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha.

As well as the garden and ponds, it will include a central pedestrian way. This will be dedicated to Buddhist Bodhi Path teachings and have stone statues and pillars on each side.

Estimated to cost HK$68 million, it would account for the most of the project’s cost. This also includes storm-water drainage works, public toilets, environmental measures and a vehicle roundabout at the entrance.

Tenders for the main contract would be called after Legco approves funding. Work is expected to start in June.