This is for no other reason than the desire to ensure that the project is cost- effective; that undertaking it will not create a problem for the Government before or after 1997; and that the railway will bring real benefits to the region it serves, at fares that are affordable to those who use it daily.
Consultations with the Chinese side
On the question of consultation with the Chinese side we have, since 1993, kept the Chinese side of the JLG informed about the development of our railway planning work. We last briefed the Chinese side on the subject of the Western Corridor Railway in February 1996. On 13 June we provided the Chinese side with two sets of the KCRC's proposal on the WCR (with the exception of the most commercially sensitive materials). On 14 July I shall brief the Economic Sub-Group of the Preparatory Committee with a team comprising the Chairman of the KCRC and his colleagues.
The WCR is a huge and important project. It will be implemented, almost in its entirety, by the SARG. We have undertaken to consult the Chinese side before any decision that would commit the future SARG is taken.
To conclude, I would re-assure this Council that it is Government's firm intention to press ahead with the planning of the Western Corridor Railway and strive for its early implementation. In so doing we shall ensure that project progress and expenditure are stringently monitored and controlled and that the project is implemented in the most cost-effective manner.
I am therefore able to support the resolution moved by the Hon Ngan Kam Chuen; although I would question his choice of description for the construction and resumption cost as estimated by KCRC.
As regards the amendment to the motions proposed by the Hon Zachary Wong, I dispute his contention that Government has been delaying the construction of the WCR and disregarding the traffic congestion problem faced by residents in the northwest NT.
As I have stated earlier, the WCR remains a priority project for Government. It is because we want to deal with the problems faced by residents in NWNT that we are pressing ahead with the necessary planning and preparatory work with a view to the project's implementation.
End
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