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building occupied by the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station be conserved to public park/open space. What steps is the Council taking to stake to this area for public open space?
MR LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):--This question concerns the preservation of the site occupied by the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station and its possible use as public open space.
The intention at one time was that this site should be used to provide local open space as shown in the draft Outline Development Plan for Tsim Sha Tsui dated 8 July 1974. At that time it was the intention to develop this site as open space and it was classified as such in the draft Outline Development Plan. It was also the intention of the Urban Council to develop the site into a garden worthy of this prestigious area.
In July 1976 the Council noted that the site had been re-zoned commercial/residential according to the Tsim Sha Tsui Outline Zoning Plan dated 2 July 1976 and asked for clarification from the Town Planning Office. The Council was informed that there had indeed been proposals to zone the police station site as Open Space but since other sites to the east of Salisbury Road and in Kowloon Park were now available, the use of the police station site was no longer considered necessary. Furthermore, there were proposals to use the site for the construction of a public transport station with commercial/residential buildings on top and, for this reason, the site had been re-zoned for commercial/residential use.
The Principal Government Town Planner is aware of the Council's view that this site should be used for local open space as originally proposed. However, since it is not certain that this will be possible, the Council has also suggested that if the site must be used as a public transport station, the area occupied by the existing bus terminus and taxi stand at the Star Ferry Concourse should be allocated to the Urban Council. It could then be developed into an attractive pedestrian precinct which would cater for the heavy pedestrian flow between the Star Ferry, the proposed transport station, the Cultural Complex and other parts of Tsim Sha Tsui.
I am sure that it is the wish of all Members that the police station site should be used for local open space and the Council will continue to press for this.
MRS ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr Chairman, I believe this site is uniquely suitable for open space and I hope I will have the assurance of the Chairman of the Committee that his Committee will press very strenuously to get this site for open space.
MR FUNG (in English):-Mr Chairman, throughout my reply the Council's position has been made clear. In fact, historically the Council has always wanted this site if and when it is available to use as open space, but one must realize that the allocation of the site is not within the control of the Urban Council.
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MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG (in English):-Mr Chairman, if the Urban Council cannot get the Police Station site as an open space, does the Council know whether, after taking into account the completion of Kowloon Park and the Salisbury Road site, the provision of open space in Tsim Sha Tsui is regarded as adequate in the light of current planning standards?
MR FUNG (in English):-Mr Chairman, off hand I cannot answer that question precisely, but I would say that Kowloon Park is a very large park and we also have open space in the East Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and, together with the Cultural Complex, it should certainly be more than adequate for the density of Tsim Sha Tsui.
MR JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr Chairman, as it is, the question seems to imply that use of this area as a public open space is the initiative of the Conservancy Association. Is it not a fact that the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee of the Urban Council has been consistent in its policy of saving this site for public use for many years?
MR FUNG (in English):-It has indeed always been the position of the Council and the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee to want this site as an open space and if I am not mistaken, Sir, you were the Chairman of the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee at one time when this subject was initially raised by yourself.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Yes, indeed. Does Mr LO want to clarify the position further as the Chairman of the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee?
MR KENNETH T. C. LO (in English):-I do not think I have much to add to what the Acting Chairman of the Planning & Development Select Committee has said. Certainly, the Recreation & Amenities Committee would welcome the opportunity to develop this site as a garden or other kind of open space. On the other hand, if we are not to get it for any reason, we should press more strongly for the other open space mentioned by Mr FUNG, that is to say, the Star Ferry Concourse.
MR JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English): ---What progress has been made in the organization of General Duties Teams, and is the Council satisfied with present operational standards and performance? What is the anticipated cost for 1979/80, and projected costs for 1980/81, for:-
(a) General Duties Teams
(b) Other control services