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1. Mid-Levels fears mount over Tamar plan impact

2. Deep divisions surface on Tamar

1. Mid-Levels fears mount over Tamar plan impact
Leslie Kwoh, The Standard 12 June 2006

Mid-Levels residents are up in arms over reported government plans to build high-rise buildings on the site of the SAR Government Headquarters on Lower Albert Road, claiming their views would be blocked and that air pollution and traffic jams in the area would worsen.

The Mid-Levels Concern Group, claiming to represent some 120 residents, said Sunday the 3.4-hectare site should be maintained as a "green belt."

"If the Tamar plan [for the new government headquarters] proceeds, we fear the site of the existing offices will be sold for commercial and residential development," spokesman Roger Ho Yao-sheng said.

"Severe pollution, likely to be created by the proposed development, may force residents living in nearby areas to wear oxygen masks to avoid being suffocated."

Earlier, the government had rejected claims that it had discussed with property developers a plan to sell off the prime Central site, estimated by surveyors to be worth between HK$50 billion and HK$65 billion, based on current market prices.

Worried about the authorities' reported move, the group lobbied key political parties for support but, according to Ho, only the Civic Party has replied so far.

Legislator Alan Leong Kah-kit said Sunday the Civic Party shared the group's concerns, and called on the government to carry out a three-month public consultation exercise before going ahead with its plans for Tamar.

"We think it's highly possible the government has already decided to demolish the existing [SAR Government Headquarters," he said.

"We need to get all the facts now. The government cannot simply develop the land stage by stage as the adjacent areas are all inter-related."

The party said its members will help distribute 30,000 postcards containing facts and figures on the Tamar plan to the public from today to June 23, when the Legislative Council is scheduled to take a final vote on the issue.

In another development, other opponents of the government's plans for Tamar took to the streets Sunday to express concern.

Independent lawmaker Kwok Ka- ki, retired High Court judge Simon Li Fook-sean and barrister Winston Chu Ka-sun went on a two-hour bus tour of Hong Kong Island , reminding the public to tell their legislators to vote against the project.

Kwok said an independent opinion poll to gauge public support for the project will begin this week, adding that he had urged several universities to help in the survey. He said they would conduct the poll themselves if no response was received in a few days.

If the government says our survey is not objective, or not fair enough, that's good and that's what we expect - they'll have to conduct their own to prove we're wrong."

2. Deep divisions surface on Tamar
JIMMY CHEUNG , SCMP 12 June 2006

The community is deeply divided over the best use of land at the Tamar site, a survey commissioned by the South China Morning Post has found.

The findings come less than two weeks before the Legislative Council's Finance Committee is expected to approve the $5.1 billion proposal.

The survey found only 28 per cent of the public would want Tamar turned into a government complex if they were given a choice on the land use.

Support for a green park and cultural venues scored 26 and 28 per cent, respectively, according to the survey carried out by the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong .

Asked if they thought Hong Kong needed a new government headquarters, 55 per cent said "yes", while nearly 40 per cent said "no". Asked whether the new headquarters, including the Legco complex, should take up the Tamar site, nearly 50 per cent said "yes" and nearly 40 per cent "no".

The findings in favour of a new government headquarters are short of the 70 per cent support claimed by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen.

Two weeks ago, Mr Tsang quoted unidentified sources saying the "community project" had won 70 per cent support.

He has said that 70 per cent support for any public project was already very high and therefore the government should push such projects ahead despite opposition.

With the opposition votes in the legislature on the Tamar project down to about 10, the controversial plan to relocate the headquarters from Lower Albert Road looks set to be passed by the Finance Committee on June 23.

If given a choice, the option of a government complex scored 28.1 per cent, against 26.4 per cent for a green park and 28 per cent for a venue for recreation and cultural events. Commercial uses received 12.2 per cent support, while 1.1 per cent saw no problem in leaving the site vacant.

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 per cent and a 95 per cent confidence level.

Pollster Robert Chung Ting-yiu said the findings were far from the 70 per cent support cited by the chief executive.

"Only one quarter of the respondents considered it ideal to build the new government headquarters in Tamar. However, out of practical consideration and possibly out of their respect for the government, about half of the population is prepared to endorse the proposal," he said.

A government spokesman said the Post survey confirmed that a clear majority of the community saw the need for a new government headquarters, referring to the 55.8 per cent support.

The spokesman said the combined support of 54 per cent for a green park as well as a recreational and cultural events venue also confirmed that the government's intention to earmark half of the site for "open space" was a fitting response to community wishes.

"Taken together, the survey outcome is consistent with the government's internal assessment of public feedback," the spokesman said.

Civic Party legislator Ronny Tong Ka-wah said the findings did not support Mr Tsang's claim of having 70 per cent support. The party remains opposed to funding.

He said the diversified views showed the public lacked sufficient information to decide on land use.

Democratic Party chairman Lee Wing-tat said the party had no plan to withdraw its support in light of the findings.

He said a party survey asking whether people would support the Tamar project two months ago also showed that support and opposition stood at around 50 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. But the survey did not ask people to choose other options. "I think 50 per cent support is still acceptable."