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sitting-out and public health facilities, so that there will be proper public facilities for residents' use.
As for libraries, the standard for provision of library facilities is under review by the Council and public consultation is being conducted for formulation of new policies. Should further information on the new provision standard of library facilities be available, the Department could begin planning library facilities for the West Kowloon Reclamation Area.
The second part of the question concerns the planning of Council facilities in 'Central/Wanchai' and 'Kai Tak Airport' reclamation areas. The 'Central/Wanchai' reclamation project will be carried out in three phases. The first phase is already completed, the second phase is in progress whilst the commencement dates for the third phase are not yet decided. As for the 'Kai Tak Airport' (i.e. 'Southeast Kowloon') reclamation project, it is only at the stage of feasibility study and no definite commencement date can be fixed. Therefore, as far as the third phase of 'Central/Wanchai' reclamation and the 'Kai Tak Airport' reclamation projects are concerned, information on land development plan and population distribution is not yet available. Under such circumstances, detailed planning for Council facilities is very difficult. However, the Urban Services Department is keeping in close contact with other government departments concerned to ensure co-ordination in planning progress.
As for phases 1 and 2 of the Central/Wanchai reclamation project, the reclaimed land will mainly be used for commercial development but part of the land will be reserved for development of Council sitting-out areas. The Urban Services Department will work out the scope of development so that appropriate facilities will be provided for the public. Construction of other smaller scale sitting-out facilities in the commercial area will be undertaken by the private developers whereas the Urban Services Department will take part by giving advice. The development on the top of the Airport Railway Central Station is one example of these.
Although the development concept plan for 'Kai Tak Airport' (i.e. the South-east Kowloon) reclamation area was made in 1993, the project is still under feasibility study and the outline development plan cannot be published before completion of the feasibility study in mid-1997. At the present stage, no specific planning work can yet be done for Council facilities in that reclamation area. However, the Urban Council will be consulted when the feasibility study comes up with any final recommendations. Meanwhile, the Urban Services Department is keeping in close contact with the government departments concerned to ensure smooth progress for the planning of Council facilities.
Mr. Stanley Ng Wing-fat (in Cantonese):--Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would also like to thank Mr. WONG for his reply. In fact, before the summer
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