XN000022-1976-02-11 — Page 11

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1976

NEW MACAU FERRY TERMINAL: AGREEMENT IN SIGHT

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ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RE-CONSTRUCTION OF THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL ARE EXPECTED TO BE AGREED ON SOON BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND A PRIVATE DEVELOPER.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

THE HON. ROGER LOBO ASKED THE QUESTION ON BEHALF OF MR. CHEUNG, WHO WAS ABSENT,

MR. ROBSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY IN BROAD AGREEMENT WITH THE DEVELOPER REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TERMINAL, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE RIGHT TO CONSTRUCT A COMMERCIAL BUILDING ABOVE IT.

IT IS, HOWEVER, A COMPLICATED PROJECT WHICH HAS TO BE DESIGNED SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE FLOW OF A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THROUGH THE TERMINAL, THEIR RAPID CLEARANCE THROUGH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS FORMALITIES, AND THE BERTHING OF THE VESSELS, CAN CONTINUE WITH MINIMUM INTERFERENCE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.+

THE BASIC PLAN WAS THEREFORE TAKING SOME TIME TO PRODUCE, AND ONLY WHEN IT HAD BEEN ACCEPTED AS BEING OPERATIONALLY VIABLE WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR A FORMAL AGREEMENT TO BE NEGOTIATED WITH THE COMPANY, MR. ROBSON SAID.

THE LATEST PLANS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY, HE ADDED, WERE VERY PROMISING AND IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN THREE MONTHS.

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