1970 — Page 101

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 101 of 241

182

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, as you are aware, there is a programme on the part of the Urban Council, which is under the Public Works Department vote, and that programme is implemented and every year a fresh vote is asked for a new lot of playgrounds. At this stage, I can only say that the new playgrounds are floodlit as far as possible, and the old ones are progressively being floodlit. The details I do not recall at this moment, but a list could be made available to Mr. Henry WONG or any other Urban Councillor not members of the Select Committee. The information is already available to the Select Committee.

MR. WONG: -Thank you very much.

MR. BERNACCHI: -Has the Select Committee considered the advantages and disadvantages of more parking spaces as opposed to more recreation space?

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, this question cannot be applied to all playgrounds in Hong Kong. In certain areas where playgrounds are close to our low-cost housing estates evidently the question of provision of parking space does not rise. In other cases, and there are not many such examples, where a playground is located far away from residences, then there is a provision for parking space, but that has to be kept in balance. Our first and foremost consideration is to construct play facilities and to provide, particularly children, with such opportunities for play.

MR. BERNACCHI: -I was particularly referring to the third paragraph of the answer "as for parking spaces, it would, of course, be physically possible to provide more than the six at present planned. However, this would reduce the area available for public recreation." Has the Select Committee come to a decision that because it would reduce the area for public recreation, therefore there should be only six parking spaces.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, my friend is referring on this occasion to Brewin Path playground specifically. On the previous occasion his previous question he was asking generally. Now, before Mr. Henry WONG raised this question of parking spaces for this particular playground, the matter was considered adequate, but if Mr. WONG wishes to pursue it and if the Department, after investigating the situation, finds that six parking spaces would not be enough for Brewin Path then, of course, the Department would make a recommendation to the Select Committee for consideration.

MR. BERNACCHI: -Do I take it that the answer to my question is no, the Select Committee has not specifically considered this question?

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, perhaps as Mr. BERNACCHI is not a member of the Select Committee he is not aware of how the Select Committee proceeds in these matters. When playgrounds are drawn up and planned, and submitted to the Select Committee, the Select Committee's natural reaction is to have as many play facilities as possible within a limited area and within reach, so the question of parents parking their cars is not an important one for the Select Committee. However, as Mr. BERNACCHI has shown such a tremendously undue interest in parking spaces in Brewin Path, we will certainly go into the question again.

MR. BERNACCHI: -And could I have assurance that in going into the question again the Select Committee will consider the other alternative means of getting to this playground, namely public transport.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, we will certainly go into the question and, if necessary, approach the bus company to lay on a service in order that our 60,000 sq. ft. playground will be put to best use. It is not a temporary playground as such it has been described as a temporary playground, but Government's temporary allocations usually are of a permanent nature. An example is the Kowloon Post Office at Tsim Sha Tsui, which has been temporary for the last 30 years. (Laughter). So this playground might exist for 30 years.

DR. HUANG: -Mr. Chairman, if Mr. SALES will answer my supplementary. In his second paragraph, he says that this area is unlikely to be required for such development within the next eight years. Now, since the rather slow speed of our Public Works Department's work, I am a little concerned. How long would it take for this playground to be ready for the public to use?

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, approval was given at the October, 1969, meeting for the release of funds, so the progress report has just been submitted, I think, at the last Select Committee meeting, at which Dr. HUANG was present, and a subsequent report will be made quarterly on the work that is being done. Now, in view of this great interest for a playground in an amenity zone which is, in point of fact, in an area rather under-populated, I certainly would ask the Department to spare the time to provide the Select Committee and all the members interested in this Brewin Path playground with details. I should have thought there would be greater interest for a playground in Sai Ying Pun, or Western District, but this is very encouraging.

MRS. ELLIOTT: -Mr. Chairman, Mr. SALES is wrong in talking about lack of interest. I wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee has considered the short life—tragically short life—of the Olympic Park, which was very much enjoyed by people of Kowloon City, but now has been completely smashed up for the flyover. I wonder if you would get a firm promise from the Public Works Department before spending this money on another playground.

Page 101 of 241

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Page 101 of 241 F 182 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, as you are aware, there is a programme on the part of the Urban Council, which is under the Public Works Department vote, and that programme is implemented and every year a fresh vote is asked for a new lot of playgrounds. At this stage, I can only say that the new playgrounds are floodlit as far as possible, and the old ones are progressively being floodlit. The details I do not recall at this moment, but a list could be made available to Mr. Henry WONG or any other Urban Councillor not members of the Select Committee. The information is already available to the Select Committee. MR. WONG: -Thank you very much. MR. BERNACCHI: -Has the Select Committee considered the advantages and disadvantages of more parking spaces as opposed to more recreation space? MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, this question cannot be applied to all playgrounds in Hong Kong. In certain areas where playgrounds are close to our low-cost housing estates evidently the question of provision of parking space does not rise. In other cases, and there are not many such examples, where a playground is located far away from residences, then there is a provision for parking space, but that has to be kept in balance. Our first and foremost consideration is to construct play facilities and to provide, particularly children, with such opportunities for play. MR. BERNACCHI: -I was particularly referring to the third paragraph of the answer "as for parking spaces, it would, of course, be physically possible to provide more than the six at present planned. However, this would reduce the area available for public recreation." Has the Select Committee come to a decision that because it would reduce the area for public recreation, therefore there should be only six parking spaces. MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, my friend is referring on this occasion to Brewin Path playground specifically. On the previous occasion his previous question he was asking generally. Now, before Mr. Henry WONG raised this question of parking spaces for this particular playground, the matter was considered adequate, but if Mr. WONG wishes to pursue it and if the Department, after investigating the situation, finds that six parking spaces would not be enough for Brewin Path then, of course, the Department would make a recommendation to the Select Committee for consideration. MR. BERNACCHI: -Do I take it that the answer to my question is no, the Select Committee has not specifically considered this question? MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, perhaps as Mr. BERNACCHI is not a member of the Select Committee he is not aware of how the Select Committee proceeds in these matters. When playgrounds are drawn up and planned, and submitted to the Select Committee, the Select Committee's natural reaction is to have as many play facilities as possible within a limited area and within reach, so the question of parents parking their cars is not an important one for the Select Committee. However, as Mr. BERNACCHI has shown such a tremendously undue interest in parking spaces in Brewin Path, we will certainly go into the question again. MR. BERNACCHI: -And could I have assurance that in going into the question again the Select Committee will consider the other alternative means of getting to this playground, namely public transport. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, we will certainly go into the question and, if necessary, approach the bus company to lay on a service in order that our 60,000 sq. ft. playground will be put to best use. It is not a temporary playground as such it has been described as a temporary playground, but Government's temporary allocations usually are of a permanent nature. An example is the Kowloon Post Office at Tsim Sha Tsui, which has been temporary for the last 30 years. (Laughter). So this playground might exist for 30 years. DR. HUANG: -Mr. Chairman, if Mr. SALES will answer my supplementary. In his second paragraph, he says that this area is unlikely to be required for such development within the next eight years. Now, since the rather slow speed of our Public Works Department's work, I am a little concerned. How long would it take for this playground to be ready for the public to use? MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, approval was given at the October, 1969, meeting for the release of funds, so the progress report has just been submitted, I think, at the last Select Committee meeting, at which Dr. HUANG was present, and a subsequent report will be made quarterly on the work that is being done. Now, in view of this great interest for a playground in an amenity zone which is, in point of fact, in an area rather under-populated, I certainly would ask the Department to spare the time to provide the Select Committee and all the members interested in this Brewin Path playground with details. I should have thought there would be greater interest for a playground in Sai Ying Pun, or Western District, but this is very encouraging. MRS. ELLIOTT: -Mr. Chairman, Mr. SALES is wrong in talking about lack of interest. I wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee has considered the short life—tragically short life—of the Olympic Park, which was very much enjoyed by people of Kowloon City, but now has been completely smashed up for the flyover. I wonder if you would get a firm promise from the Public Works Department before spending this money on another playground. Page 101 of 241 183 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Baseline (Original)

Page 101 of 241 F 182 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, as you are aware, there is a pro- gramme on the part of the Urban Council, which is under the Public Works Department vote, and that programme is implemented and every year a fresh vote is asked for a new lot of playgrounds. At this stage, I can only say that the new playgrounds are floodlit as far as possible, and the old ones are progressively being floodlit. The details I do not recall at this moment, but a list could be made available to Mr. Henry WONG or any other Urban Councillor not members of the Select Com- mittee. The information is already available to the Select Committee. MR. WONG:-Thank you very much. MR. BERNACCHI:-Has the Select Committee considered the advan- tages and disadvantages of more parking spaces as opposed to more recreation space? MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, this question cannot be applied to all playgrounds in Hong Kong. In certain areas where playgrounds are close to our low cost housing estates evidently the question of provision of parking space does not rise. In other cases, and there are not many such examples, where a playground is located far away from residences, then there is a provision for parking space, but that has to be kept in balance. Our first and foremost consideration is to construct play facilities and to provide, particularly children, with such oppor- tunities for play. MR. BERNACCHI:-I was particularly referring to the third para- graph of the answer "as for parking spaces, it would, of course, be physically possible to provide more than the six at present planned. However, this would reduce the area available for public recreation." Has the Select Committee come to a decision that because it would reduce the area for public recreation, therefore there should be only six parking spaces. MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, my friend is referring on this occasion to Brewin Path playground specifically. On the previous occasion his previous question he was asking generally. Now, before Mr. Henry WONG raised this question of parking spaces for this particular play- ground, the matter was considered adequate, but if Mr. WONG wishes to pursue it and if the Department, after investigating the situation, finds that six parking spaces would not be enough for Brewin Path then, of course, the Department would make a recommendation to the Select Committee for consideration. MR. BERNACCHI:-Do I take it that the answer to my question is no, the Select Committee has not specifically considered this question? MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, perhaps as Mr. BERNACCHI is not a member of the Select Committee he is not aware of how the Select і HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 183 Committee proceeds in these matters. When playgrounds are drawn up and planned, and submitted to the Select Committee, the Select Com- mittee's natural reaction is to have as many play facilities as possible within a limited area and within reach, so the question of parents parking their cars is not an important one for the Select Committee. However, as Mr. BERNACCHI has shown such a tremendously undue interest in parking spaces in Brewin Path, we will certainly go into the question again. MR. BERNACCHI:-And could I have assurance that in going into the question again the Select Committee will consider the other alter- native means of getting to this playground, namely public transport. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, we will certainly go into the question and, if necessary, approach the bus company to lay on a service in order that our 60,000 sq. ft. playground will be put to best use. It is not a temporary playground as such it has been described as a temporary playground, but Government's temporary allocations usually are of a permanent nature. An example is the Kowloon Post Office at Tsim Sha Tsui, which has been temporary for the last 30 years. (Laughter). So this playground might exist for 30 years. DR. HUANG:-Mr. Chairman, if Mr. SALES will answer my supple- mentary. In his second paragraph, he says that this area is unlikely to be required for such development within the next eight years. Now, since the rather slow speed of our Public Works Department's work, I am a little concerned. How long would it take for this playground to be ready for the public to use? MR. SALES: --Mr. Chairman, approval was given at the October, 1969, meeting for the release of funds, so the progress report has just been submitted, I think, at the last Select Committee meeting, at which Dr. HUANG was present, and a subsequent report will be made quarterly on the work that is being done. Now, in view of this great interest for a playground in an amenity zone which is, in point of fact, in an area rather under-populated, I certainly would ask the Department to spare the time to provide the Select Committee and all the members interested in this Brewin Path playground with details. I should have thought there would be greater interest for a playground in Sai Ying Pun, or Western District, but this is very encouraging. MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, Mr. SALES is wrong in talking about lack of interest. I wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee has considered the short life—tragically short life—of the Olympic Park, which was very much enjoyed by people of Kowloon City, but now has been completely smashed up for the flyover. I wonder if you would get a firm promise from the Public Works Department before spending this money on another playground.

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Page 101 of 241

182

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, as you are aware, there is a pro- gramme on the part of the Urban Council, which is under the Public Works Department vote, and that programme is implemented and every year a fresh vote is asked for a new lot of playgrounds. At this stage, I can only say that the new playgrounds are floodlit as far as possible, and the old ones are progressively being floodlit. The details I do not recall at this moment, but a list could be made available to Mr. Henry WONG or any other Urban Councillor not members of the Select Com- mittee. The information is already available to the Select Committee.

MR. WONG:-Thank you very much.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Has the Select Committee considered the advan- tages and disadvantages of more parking spaces as opposed to more recreation space?

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, this question cannot be applied to all playgrounds in Hong Kong. In certain areas where playgrounds are close to our low cost housing estates evidently the question of provision of parking space does not rise. In other cases, and there are not many such examples, where a playground is located far away from residences, then there is a provision for parking space, but that has to be kept in balance. Our first and foremost consideration is to construct play facilities and to provide, particularly children, with such oppor- tunities for play.

MR. BERNACCHI:-I was particularly referring to the third para- graph of the answer "as for parking spaces, it would, of course, be physically possible to provide more than the six at present planned. However, this would reduce the area available for public recreation." Has the Select Committee come to a decision that because it would reduce the area for public recreation, therefore there should be only six parking spaces.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, my friend is referring on this occasion to Brewin Path playground specifically. On the previous occasion his previous question he was asking generally. Now, before Mr. Henry WONG raised this question of parking spaces for this particular play- ground, the matter was considered adequate, but if Mr. WONG wishes to pursue it and if the Department, after investigating the situation, finds that six parking spaces would not be enough for Brewin Path then, of course, the Department would make a recommendation to the Select Committee for consideration.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Do I take it that the answer to my question is no, the Select Committee has not specifically considered this question?

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, perhaps as Mr. BERNACCHI is not a member of the Select Committee he is not aware of how the Select

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

183

Committee proceeds in these matters. When playgrounds are drawn up and planned, and submitted to the Select Committee, the Select Com- mittee's natural reaction is to have as many play facilities as possible within a limited area and within reach, so the question of parents parking their cars is not an important one for the Select Committee. However, as Mr. BERNACCHI has shown such a tremendously undue interest in parking spaces in Brewin Path, we will certainly go into the question again.

MR. BERNACCHI:-And could I have assurance that in going into the question again the Select Committee will consider the other alter- native means of getting to this playground, namely public transport.

DR. HUANG:-Mr. Chairman, if Mr. SALES will answer my supple- mentary. In his second paragraph, he says that this area is unlikely to be required for such development within the next eight years. Now, since the rather slow speed of our Public Works Department's work, I am a little concerned. How long would it take for this playground to be ready for the public to use?

MR. SALES: --Mr. Chairman, approval was given at the October, 1969, meeting for the release of funds, so the progress report has just been submitted, I think, at the last Select Committee meeting, at which Dr. HUANG was present, and a subsequent report will be made quarterly on the work that is being done. Now, in view of this great interest for a playground in an amenity zone which is, in point of fact, in an area rather under-populated, I certainly would ask the Department to spare the time to provide the Select Committee and all the members interested in this Brewin Path playground with details. I should have thought there would be greater interest for a playground in Sai Ying Pun, or Western District, but this is very encouraging.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, Mr. SALES is wrong in talking about lack of interest. I wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee has considered the short life—tragically short life—of the Olympic Park, which was very much enjoyed by people of Kowloon City, but now has been completely smashed up for the flyover. I wonder if you would get a firm promise from the Public Works Department before spending this money on another playground.

1970 — Page 101

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