HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following three questions:-
As in the new plan for Tsim Sha Tsui presented by the Town Planning Board, the present railway land south of Salisbury Road between Holt's Wharf and the Star Ferry has been reserved for Government use, will the Chairman please ask Government to consider that it is desirable to turn it instead into a public garden for the recreation of the people?
Will the Chairman put the suggestion to Government that along the western side of Nathan Road between Austin and Haiphong Roads there should be a public square laid out as a rest garden and kept as a pedestrian precinct? Will Government assure this Council that when detailed planning of the present railway land between Chatham Road and the Harbour is made there will be adequate open space reserved for parks and playgrounds in what is likely to be a very densely populated district?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
The answers to the first and second questions are in the affirmative. I will certainly transmit your suggestions to the Town Planning Board and I know, Sir, that they will receive most careful consideration.
With regard to the third question, the Town Planning Board's Explanatory Statement already refers explicitly to the inclusion of adequate community facilities and open space when the time comes to prepare detailed planning layouts for the proposed residential precincts to the east of Chatham Road. I do not think that either Government or the Town Planning Board could say more than this at the present time.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for your answer. Will you kindly represent also to the Town Planning Board that there is a very strong feeling about keeping all the area south of Salisbury Road as an open ground?
CHAIRMAN:-I will, Sir. I am sure the Chairman of the Town Planning Board is listening with keen interest. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, do you not think that the Town Planning Board would very much welcome the presence of Mr. SALES as an observer at the time when this subject is discussed?
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, may I answer that question? As Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I attended a meeting of the Town Planning Board a year or so ago when other Members suddenly found themselves unable to do so. (Laughter). I was then left to bat for the Urban Council all by myself. The next time I go I should certainly be happy if Mr. CHEONG-LEEN were to find time to accompany me, particularly as these matters are very controversial.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I would be very happy to accompany Mr. SALES if he thinks he needs my moral support although I think he is quite capable of looking after himself.
MR. SALES: --It was not moral support that I wanted. I wanted his vocal support, Mr. Chairman. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I thought Mr. SALES could easily take care of himself, but being a member of the Town Planning Board yourself, Mr. Chairman, would you care to put forward this suggestion to the Town Planning Board that at the time when this subject is discussed it should have Mr. SALES' presence?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, first of all I can say that I was at that particular meeting of the Town Planning Board and I assure you that Mr. SALES took good care of himself. The second point is that I think it is customary for the Town Planning Board, when considering such development schemes, to invite the Department to consider them as well. Also, I think I am right in saying, subject to correction by my friend, the Director of Public Works, that the Council may well be invited to send a representative to appear before the Town Planning Board as happened on the last occasion.
MR. BERNACCHI:-As we are meeting in public, would you care to answer, Mr. Chairman, by way of supplementary, the question as to whether this Council's views on the scheme for the development of the Tsim Sha Tsui area have already been communicated to the Town Planning Board?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, there has not been a formal meeting of the Town Planning Board since the draft plan was considered by this Council. Its comments are under consideration by the Secretary of the Board and his staff, but as you know, we sent copies of the draft plan to several public bodies and their various comments are now being studied.
MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question: —
(a) May this Council know whether there is a programme for the open nullahs still to be found in urban areas to be decked over?
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