C.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL #
XCC(77)89
Copy No Page 6
34
of 40
Recommendation
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To sum up, the following factors are relevant to the matters
(a)
raised in this petition:
there is an urgent public need for the early completion of the Cultural Complex;
(b)
any replanning of the project would result in un- avoidable delays of up to two years;
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(c)
(d)
the scope for resiting the Cultural Complex with the scale of facilities now envisaged and in a manner which is appropriate to its importance is almost non- existent because of existing physical constraints; and
that the Government considers that there are no overriding merits which would, in their own right, justify the preservation of the former Kowloon- Canton Railway station building.
For the reasons given in paragraphs 10 to 17 above, it is recommended that it would not be in the overall public interest to preserve the former Kowloon-Canton Railway station building at Tsim Sha Tsui as its retention would interfere with the construction of the Cultural Complex to meet an urgent public need. It is proposed, however, that the clock-tower, which will not obstruct the Cultural Complex, should be retained for the time being so that its effect on the Cultural Complex can be assessed at a later date. The petition should accordingly be rejected without further argument.
Public relations aspects
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If Honourable Members advise that the petition from the Hong Kong Heritage Society should be rejected, this will undoubtedly revive public interest over this issue and the reaction from members of the Heritage Society and their supports is likely to be sharp and intemperate. However, public interest is likely to be confined to a vocal minority which has already voiced its opinions before. The views of the majority of the local population are non-committal and whatever nostalgia they may feel towards the station is confined to the clock-tower. Positive publicity on the future use of the site as a Cultural Complex, and the benefit that will accrue to the community at large from this project, should eliminate any previous misapprehension that might have existed that the site will be auctioned to add to general revenue. As the clock-tower, which is a significant landmark, will be retained, at least for the time being, it is considered that the need to demolish the former Kowloon-Canton Railway
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