LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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computer-plotters, one each in Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tai Po District Survey Offices. The in-house investigation into setting up a computerised land information system for the Lands Department was completed.
Public Building
In 1984-5, the Architectural Office of the Building Development Department completed 104 building projects under the Public Works Programme. Total capital expenditure, including that on minor works, was $1,565 million. In addition, the office's Maintenance Branch spent $356 million in carrying out maintenance and alteration work on 6210 government, Urban Council and British Forces buildings, including leased offices and quarters.
The capital expenditure was some 20 per cent lower than the estimated sum of $1,995 million allocated in the Estimates and 27 per cent lower than the 1983-4 expenditure of $2,130 million. This drop was largely attributable to a reduction in spending on purchasing quarters for government officers and to delays in the start of some major projects, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the new District Magistracy Building in Wan Chai.
Tendering continued to be active and competitive. During the 12-month period to March 1985, tender prices showed only small fluctuations with an overall drop of less than one per cent, and increased only slightly in the last nine months of the year. During the same 12-month period, labour costs and basic material costs increased by about four per cent. and three per cent respectively.
Major projects completed during 1985 included the Harbour Building Government Offices in Connaught Road which provided 30 000 square metres of office accommodation including a post office on the first floor. This building also houses the Hong Kong Area Traffic Control Centre. The basement and foundations for another government office complex, the Harbour Road development, near Wan Chai waterfront, were completed in May. In June, part of the basement was sold by auction to a developer who plans to construct an office tower on that part of the site. Developments on the remaining parts of the basement in this multi-phased scheme include a 30-storey building housing District and Magistrates Courts in the lower portion with offices for other government departments in the upper portion. The courts in the lower portions of the lower block are due for completion in mid-1986 and the offices above are expected to be occupied by the end of that year. Further developments are in hand on this complex, with the design of one of two proposed 49-storey office towers nearing completion; its construction is expected to start in late 1986. Construction of a fire station at the complex began in October and will be completed by September 1986, allowing the existing adjacent fire station to be demolished to provide part of the site for the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The construction of the Queensway Government Offices, adjacent to the now completed Supreme Court Building, proceeded apace during 1985. Phase I of the scheme, comprising the whole of the low block and the first 16 floors of the tower block, were ready for occupation in November. Phase II, the 17th to 32nd floors, is due for completion in mid-1986. Completion of the remainder of the building, of 49 storeys, the tallest building project ever undertaken by the government, will be achieved by late 1986. Early possession of the first phase of the scheme means that the lower half of the building will be occupied and functioning while the upper part is still under construction.
Conversion of the old Supreme Court Building was completed in October and it now provides a new home for the Legislative Council as well as new offices for Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO). The exterior of this