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CA. #
For discussion
on 29th July 1975
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ANNEXATO XCR(7) 200
XCR(75)139 Copy No AA..
MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.
Introduction
The existing Macau Ferry Terminal is housed in a complex of temporary wooden buildings. It has long been accepted that it is neither big enough nor of a suitable quality for an important sea terminal. In the past as many as 26,000 passengers have had to pase through it on any one day of the Lunar New Year and similar figures have been reached at other holiday weekends. Even on normal weekends heavy concentration of traffic makes for unacceptable and virtually unmanage able congestion.
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Projections made by the operating companies in 1974 had suggested that the anal figure for 1980 would be close to 10 thillion with eventual expansion to 15 million. These projections are probably now too high in the light of experience in 1974 and the first half of 1975, mainly as a result of the economic recession in Hong Kong and the reduction in the number of tourists. (It is too early to judge the impact, if any, of the increased embarkation and disembarkation fees). Never- theless, it is expected that traffic will increase substantially in the future, making for continued extreme congestion at peak periods.
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Apart from congestion, the wooden structure is totally unsatisfactory as a main ses terminal. Working conditions for the staff and the conditions endured by the public are very poor, and it could be said that the introduction of the increased embarkation and disembarkation fees, which are passed on to the passengers, places an even stronger moral obligation on Government to improve them than before.
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The long term intention was that the Macau Ferry Terminal would be sited in the Western District of Hong Kong on a new reclama-- tion, which would allow for the construction of a terminal which might, if necessary, provide facilities for helicopters and hovercraft as well ⚫ as conventional ferries and hydrofoils, But it will be many years before there will be an adequate road system to this area, and the replacement for the existing terminal, which is already overdue, should not be tied to so uncertain a project. However, because of other commitments of a higher priority, it is not possible to provide public funds for this purpose.
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