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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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First, 16% on cost charge by ASD. I think we should link charges with market rate and performance standard.
Secondly, this Council should have the right to make choices and commission private architects in addition to the ASD.
Thirdly, I am in favour of appointing professional advisory teams to the Capital Works Select Committee.
When I read our Annual Report just now, I learnt that the consultative mechanism is already in existence in the operation of this Council. A rough count tells me that there are 18 advisory teams in operation. So this is an existing arrangement. I hope the teams focus on giving expert advice at different stages of the construction of municipal facilities and that they can be given the chance to consult the public. One way to do this is to carry out open design competitions for our capital works, or to seek ideas from architectural firms by invitation. I want to cite a few examples and hope the consultative mechanism can be brought into new projects.
First of all, there is this project to re-model the Victoria Park. It will be a project of $1.2 to $1.3 billion and we can expect it to cost more on completion. I think the overall landscape and layout of the Park is very important and a design competition or advice from consulting firms may be appropriate.
There will be two major items in the project, one of which is a tennis centre for international competitions involving the cost of $250 million. The centre will provide 3500 seats for spectators to watch games. I think this project should go through the above suggested mechanism.
Another example is a heated swimming pool complex at Victoria Park, Again, it will be of international standard, offering 2800 seats and involving a budget of around $500 million. And then, there is the contemporary art museum project to be carried out on a budget of over $100 million.
Mr. Chairman, I hope that through the above presentation, I have made my point on the need to bring in a mechanism of advisers. I hope that on completion, our capital projects, whether they are of the nature of sports, culture or entertainment, will become symbols of Hong Kong.
So, Mr. Chairman, I move the motion standing in my name. Thank you.
Ms. ADA WONG YING-KAY (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I second the motion moved by Mr. Ambrose CHEUNG.
MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I also second the motion moved by Mr. Ambrose CHEUNG.
Ms. Ada Wong Ying-kay (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am very glad today to be able to second Mr. Ambrose CHEUNG's motion.
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