XN000022-1979-03-30 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

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VICTORIA BARRACKS FORMALLY HANDED OVER TO GOVT TODAY

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VICTORIA BARRACKS, HOME OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 130 YEARS, WAS FORMALLY HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.

FIRM OF LOCAL CONSULTANTS IS BEING APPOINTED TO REPORT TO GOVERNMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE AREA ZONED FOR RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE PURPOSES ON THE APPROVED LAND USE ZONING PLAN FOR VICTORIA BARRACKS.

IN THE MEANTIME, ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO TAKE OVER AND MANAGE THE WHOLE OF THE RELEASED AREA SO THAT IT IS SAFE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC ACCESS.

AS SOON AS THIS HAS BEEN DONE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON PUBLIC USE OF THE BARRACKS WILL BE MADE.

THE INTENTION IS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE ACCESS UNTIL GOVERNMENT IS READY TO BEGIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE AREA WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS TIME,

SHORTLY AFTER THIS, ROAD WORKS WILL ALSO HAVE TO START IN THE NORTHEAST OF THE BARRACKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF COMMERCIAL SITES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SUPREME COURT.

AS FOR THE BUILDINGS VACATED BY THE ARMY, IT IS INTENDED TO MAKE USE OF THEM ON A STRICTLY TEMPORARY BASIS AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE MOVING IN OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THIS TEMPORARY USE WILL IN NO WAY PREJUDICE PERMANENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA, OR DELAY PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE FACILITIES IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE BARRACKS.

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