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The rehabilitation works will be completed in phases working down from the crest of the existing ridge.

"The top portion of the site will be rehabilitated and turned green within the next five years and the contractor is required to appoint qualified landscape architects to do the design," said the Director.

The 17-year contract will give the contractor rights to process the excavated rock into aggregates and other quarry products for sale off-site and to manufacture and sell ready-mixed concrete, bituminous materials and precast concrete products over the next 15 years, plus a two-year maintenance period for the establishment of trees and plants.

"This will ensure a steady supply of aggregates and other material to our construction industry," Mr Lam said.

"In return for these rights, the contractor has to make payments to the Government apart from carrying out the rehabilitation works. Works are designed to avoid as far as possible off-site disposal of surplus material in order to minimise the environmental impact on the adjacent areas," he said.

The planning and engineering design for the Stage 2 works are expected to begin in the middle of this year.

These involve mainly site formation below Anderson Road and will be carried out by civil engineering works contract.

End

Visits to bedspace apartment tenants and street sleepers

Bedspace apartment (BSA) tenants and street sleepers in Wan Chai were reassured during visits to their homes today (Wednesday) by government representatives and community leaders that they had not been forsaken and were advised of a whole range of services designed to help them.

The visits, jointly organised by the Wan Chai District Office and Wan Chai District Board, were meant to show concern by the Government and the community for those less fortunate during the Lunar New Year period.