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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Regarding the third part of the question the department is planning on the following basis:-
For completion within the next 4 months 2 more children's playgrounds, 2 more basketball courts and one more rest garden to serve Kwun Tong Resettlement Estate.
For completion within the next 12 months 2 children's playgrounds, 1 basketball court, and 7 rest gardens, to serve central Kwun Tong.
For completion in about 2-3 years' time Yuet Wah Street Playground (measuring 5.4 acres), Tsun Yip Street Playground (measuring 3.0 acres), Kwun Tong Swimming Pool and Recreation Ground (measuring 11.5 acres) and several minor projects.
It is also intended within the next 12 months to install a large number of street benches, to undertake an extensive programme of tree planting, and to provide some floral decorations, particularly in the new commercial centre.
MR. SALES:-Sir, may I thank you for the assurance which is so explicit in the last sentence of your reply. Recently, my colleagues and I, as you may be aware, have become increasingly concerned with the ability of the Urban Services Department to act independently of the Urban Council despite your assurance that Section 55 is engraved in your heart and seared in the minds of your staff.
(14) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) Has Government reached a decision on our request for Victoria Park to be extended across the road to include the land given up by the Services at Causeway Bay?
(b) If not, may this Council take it over on a temporary basis so as to meet the great demand for public open space and play facilities so badly lacking in Hong Kong?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:-
No decision has yet been reached on the request that Victoria Park should be extended across Causeway Road to include the land formerly occupied by the Services. The Sports Ground on the south side of Causeway Road which was at one time allocated to the Royal Navy, is
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now controlled by the Education Department and is, I am informed, fully utilized by many schools, associations and clubs.
The remaining area between this Sports Ground and Moreton Terrace is now being used for the parking of lorries and public cars as well as for open storage on a temporary basis. In reply to a question on 4th February, 1964 the Chairman said:
"As Members know, two areas of land were occupied by the Services at Causeway Bay. The first comprised six acres adjoining Moreton Terrace and has recently been released by the Army. It is now under temporary occupation mainly for lorry parking and is intended for sale in the future."
The position has not changed in the last 18 months. While there is a need for more recreation space in many parts of the Colony there is also a real need for the use of open ground for purposes other than recreation. Pending a decision on the final development of the land it is Government's view that the land on the south side of Causeway Road is being put to good use. About one half is being used for recreation purposes and the other half is being used for other purposes.
Government is at present reviewing its policy on private recreation grounds and until a new policy has been agreed it is not intended to disturb the present arrangements.
MR. SALES:-Sir, is this review which Government is conducting on private recreations grounds completely independent of the Urban Council?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I am not aware of the full details of the review and I cannot answer that question.
MR. SALES: Is Government pursuing its intention, Sir, in the light of this disclosure, to set up a committee independent of the Urban Council so as to promote urban amenities as Government at one time contemplated perhaps doing?
CHAIRMAN: I do not think so, Sir.
MR. SALES: May I then accept your assurance as a categorical statement that it is not Government's intention to by-pass the Urban Council in matters which directly relate to the functions of the Urban Council in Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Kowloon and presumably the New Territories as well?
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