1989 — Page 26

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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has as yet been made available, what steps does the Markets and Street Trade Select Committee intend to take to deal with the matter.

The Chai Wan Temporary Market comprising 221 stalls was built in 1983 for the purpose of resiting hawkers in the hawker bazaar in Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan in connection with the construction of the Island Eastern Corridor

Although it is close to the Yue Wan Market (with 434 stalls), the occupation rates of both markets are over 80% and they have proved to be viable markets.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—The second question is: when the Chairman says that over 80% of the stalls is occupied therefore they prove the viability. Does he know how many of this 80% are merely for storage purposes?

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):— Mr. Chairman, there could be a fair proportion that are used merely for storage purposes but these stallholders do pay the market rents. I think the Urban Council and the department have very little control of what they wish to do with the stalls. If Mr. BERNACCHI does feel that they are too much used for storage space, I think this point could also be reviewed either by the Select Committee or the department.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—I think Mr. BERNACCHI himself would agree that as to time, he would be in a much better position to say so.

in view of their central location in Chai Wan.

The current 2-year extension of the temporary land allocation for the Chai Wan Temporary Market will expire on 1 October 1990. Both the Department and Project Manager (Urban Area) are looking into the overall market facilities and requirements in Chai Wan with a view to determining whether the Chai Wan Temporary Market requires reprovisioning in the light of the new proposed market standard of 40-45 market stalls for every 10,000 persons and the findings of recent market studies. Judging from the high occupation rate of the Chai Wan Temporary Market, the initial thinking of the Department is that reprovisioning is necessary.

One of the possible reprovisioned sites is a site zoned ‘G' adjacent to the Chai Wan Temporary Market. The proposed site is being used as a temporary sitting-out area and a public toilet. If a market is reprovisioned on this 'G' site, the area vacated by the Temporary Market will be converted to its original use i.e. 'Local Open Space'. Simultaneously, both the Department and PM(UA) are liaising with Housing Department to see if a market site can be earmarked in their redevelopment scheme for Blocks 1-8, Chai Wan Estate which is scheduled to take place in 1991. The outcome of a feasibility study from HD is still being awaited.

Until a suitable reprovisioning site is available, it will be necessary to retain the Chai Wan Temporary Market both to provide market facilities to the population in the area and to accommodate the existing stall lessees there.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I have in all four questions and all lie on page 2 of the answer. The first is: certain senior members of the USD agree with me that the two markets are too close together. Does the Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Committee agree basically with this fact?

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, as Mr. BERNACCHI recalls this point was discussed at the recent meeting of the Select Committee although not in great detail and Mr. BERNACCHI has also written to the department separately on the subject and he has kindly sent me a copy of his minute on it. It all depends from the different points of view one looks at it. The department has stated and this is indicated in my reply that the occupational rate of both markets is over 80% and they prove to be viable markets because of their central location. As to whether they are too close together if additional facilities are built, later on I think it would be timely to have a review on the subject.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—I wish to make a personal statement on that. I don't think there are. What I think is because they are too close, therefore there are a number of them being used for storage. But the third question is if this site zoned 'G' goes through, will this be ready by 1 October 1990 when the allocation of the Chai Wan Temporary Market will expire.

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, as stated in my reply, if the 'G' site becomes available or the site to be earmarked for redevelopment scheme for Blocks 1 to 8 in Chai Wan should take place in 1991, I think what will probably happen is before the two-year extension of the temporary land allocation expires, the Select Committee and the department will have to negotiate with the Lands Department to see whether another extension is possible, provided there does seem to be a demand for continued use of the temporary market.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Rising out of the original question and that answer, has the Lands Department yet been consulted over this site or site 'G’?

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the department has considered this 'G' site and the possible reprovisioned site. I think the department will have to liaise with the Housing Department on this subject and I will be happy to let Mr. BERNACCHI know of developments as soon as possible.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Please do, in particular whether or not it reaches the stage where Government either by the Lands Department or the Housing Department whichever is appropriate has been actually approached in the matter.

CHAIRMAN (in English):—Is it a supplementary? Mr. BERNACCHI, I think you have exhausted the question. Would you like to ask Question No.7.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—No. The fourth one is: if it is decided to go for the other site i.e. the redevelopment scheme for Blocks 1 to 8 of Chai Wan Estate when would it be possible in practical terms to move the Chai Wan Temporary Market?