146
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Is it possible for plans and a model of this new centre to be shown at the Urban Council Exhibition in November?
MR. LO TAK-SHING, CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY HALL SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
Mr. Chairman, this question concerns the construction of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex which will consist of a planetarium, a museum, an art gallery, an arts library and two auditoria.
At present the project is in Category B of the Public Works Programme. A tentative construction schedule and preliminary estimates of costs and completion dates have been prepared by the Public Works Department and will be considered at its next meeting by the Cultural Complex Sub-Committee as a Committee specially appointed by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council with Mr. SALES as Chairman to take charge of the scheme.
It is hoped that the construction of the first phase of the project, i.e. the planetarium building, will begin before the end of 1975 and be completed in mid-1977. A rough estimate of the cost of the planetarium building is in the order of $15 million and the Cultural Complex Sub-Committee has proposed that the Council provide "switch finance" with the Hong Kong Government for this building. This proposal has been endorsed by the City Hall Select Committee and reported to the Finance Select Committee.
The expected dates of completion for the rest of the Cultural Complex will depend to a very large extent on the availability of Government funds for the construction of the Complex. A very rough estimate of the cost puts it in the order of $200 million. Most likely the construction will have to be phased and it may take up to the early 1980's to complete the entire project.
The preliminary plans for the Cultural Complex have yet to be finalized and neither the plans nor a model will approximately be ready in time for display at the Urban Council Exhibition in November this year.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):---Mr. Chairman, I think this Council shares my concern over the need for priority and urgency in the construction. This Cultural Complex is very much needed by the community.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 90 of 187
147
I am very disappointed with the programme outlined here in terms of the completion dates. May I ask if it is, in fact, this Council's wish that priority should be extended to this needed Complex; in fact, if pressure will be brought to bear on Government to improve this performance and to provide us as soon as possible with a detailed building schedule?
MR. LO (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I wonder whether, in giving assurance, it should be by me or whether it should be, perhaps, by Mr. FORSGATE?
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Well, you have the first go. (Laughter).
MR. LO (in English):-Well, thank you. Yes.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Good. Does Mr. FORSGATE wish to reinforce that assurance? (Laughter).
MR. FORSGATE (in English): —Yes.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I hope these two "Yeses" mean serious intention, because this is not the last we will hear on this matter. May I also ask when the preliminary plans will be available and if these will be provided for public information and discussion?
MR. LO (in English): -The form by which public discussion takes place, traditionally as a plan, may be subject to your order, Mr. Chairman.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am afraid that this is not a very satisfactory reply. Could I repeat, when will the plans be available for the Council's study and is it intended by the Sub-Committee that this will be provided for information to the public so that the public can submit suggestions and ideas regarding this important project?
MR. LO (in English):-Now that you have rephrased that, Mr. MACKENZIE, I should refer the answer to your question to the Chairman, who is, in fact, the Chairman of the Cultural Complex Sub-Committee.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The answer to your first question: the plans will be put to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council for consideration. The answer to your second question: they will be put to the public for discussion in due course.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask I would refer to the answer to the main question-Firstly
Page 90
Page 91