30
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1982
WORK BEGINS ON NEW ARMY BARRACKS
****
WORK HAS BEGUN ON SITE FORMATION FOR THE NEW ARMY BARRACKS ON THE CLEARWATER BAY PENINSULA.
KOHIMA BARRACKS WILL ACCOMMODATE THE FIFTH BATTALION OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON FOR WHICH PROVISION WAS MADE IN THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT CONCLUDED IN OCTOBER, 1980.
IT WILL PROVIDE QUARTERING FOR 700 MEN AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AS WELL AS OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, A TRANSPORT DEPOT AND OTHER BARRACKS FACILITIES.
THE SITE OF THE BARRACKS, SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1986, IS LOCATED OFF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD.
THE 41-HECTARE SITE OF MAINLY CROWN LAND CONSISTS OF BROKEN, SLOPING GROUND BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF TAI PO TSAI AND THE SEA.
IT INCLUDES SOME PLOTS OF PRIVATE LAND WHICH WILL BE RESUMED, AND ANCESTRAL GRAVES OF THE VILLAGE.
AS ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BUILD A NEW BURIAL GROUND TO ACCOMMODATE THE GRAVES AND WILL FORM A NEW RIDGE TO REPLACE AN EXISTING ONE WHICH WILL BE LEVELLED DURING THE SITE FORMATION WORKS.
ALSO LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE VILLAGE AT PRESENT IS ERSKINE TRAINING CAMP.
THE CAMP WILL BE CLOSED IN ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS' TIME AS CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BARRACKS NEARS COMPLETION.
NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE YET ON THE USE OF THE LAND WHEN
IT IS VACATED BUT IT IS LIKELY THAT COMMUNITY FACILITIES SUCH
AS A SCHOOL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, WHICH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY IN THE DEVELOPING SAI KUNG DISTRICT, WILL BE PROVIDED.