1991 — Page 96

Page 96 of 126

171

170

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

handed over to us, of course, I personally hope that the land should be returned to us as soon as possible. For this reason, the Wong Tai Sin District Board will be consulted on 7 January 1992 on this particular issue. If the District Board decides that this piece of land should be returned to the Urban Council, then we would ask the Department to finalize the design of the sports ground so that work can commence in 1993.

MR. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):—As far as I know, the Wong Tai Sin District Board had only agreed that the site would be used by the Housing Department up to 1992, that is for 5 years. The Housing Department had confirmed in writing that the site would be returned to the Urban Council after 5 years. So I don't think the Urban Council should wait for the decision of the Wong Tai Sin District Board. This is because this site originally belongs to the Urban Council for development into a sport facility and it is certainly not intended to be used as a temporary housing area. If the Wong Tai Sin District Board still agrees that the site will be used by the Housing Department for a couple of more years, does it mean that we cannot use this site forever?

MR. ALBERT POON (in Cantonese): Of course, as far as the Council is concerned, we hope to build this sports ground as soon as possible. Whilst we try to achieve our goal, we have to consider the entire interest of the residents in Wong Tai Sin District. If Wong Tai Sin residents really feel that it is more important to have a temporary housing area rather than a sports ground, then I don't think we should press for the building of the sports ground. On the other hand, if residents in the Wong Tai Sin District and the Council really think sports ground has the priority over a temporary housing area at that site, I think the Council is quite willing to build a sports ground there.

MR. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese): Actually, I would like to go a little back to its background as well. As Mr. POON has just said that we had to look at the need of Wong Tai Sin residents. But I think the majority of the Wong Tai Sin residents feel very strongly that the Urban Council is delaying the commissioning of this sports ground. They include the residents from Tin Ma Court and Tsui Chuk Gardens. There are over 70 to 80 thousand people living in these two home ownership schemes. They are very much concerned about the commissioning date of the Ma Chai Hang Sports Ground and they really don't want to see the Urban Council delay the commissioning of this sports ground and let the Housing Department use it as a temporary housing area for a couple of more years.

CHAIRMAN (in English): It is only a statement and not a question. So I think if you can put this statement to the Capital Works Select Committee for further consideration. I don't think that needs a reply. That is not a question.

MISS CECILIA YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I think the representative member of WTS DB knows this issue very well. I would like to supplement Mr. POON on this background information. The Ma Chai Hang temporary housing

Page 96 of 126

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

area has been under the jurisdiction of Housing Department for 5 years. The Housing Department has promised in writing that it is going to use the site for only five years. Residents of the Wong Tai Sin District especially from the Chuk Yuen South have asked the Urban Council for several times when construction of the sports ground will commence. I would like to supplement Mr. POON on this background information that residents have already made known their views on this issue which has great implication on residents. As it is only a temporary housing area which has caused great inconvenience to nearby residents, I hope Mr. POON can give us a reply as soon as possible.

CHAIRMAN (in English): Your suggestion is reflecting a public opinion. This also can be conveyed back to the Capital Works Select Committee for consideration.

3. MR. FUNG KWONG-CHUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):- Is there any progress about the Urban Council Shung Ling Street Joint User Building project in Wong Tai Sin District? What are the target dates for the commencement and completion of the project?

MR. ALBERT POON SHUN-KWOK, CHAIRMAN OF THE CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):-The question concerns the progress of the UC Shung Ling Street Joint User Building project in Wong Tai Sin and its dates of commencement and completion.

The present position is that the Buildings and Lands Department will include the site in its 1992/93 Land Sale Programme. Under the proposed terms of the land sale, the successful purchaser will be required to include in his development programme the construction of a Refuse Collection Point and a district library for the Council. The provision of such facilities into the project have been approved by the Council earlier on. Construction of the Refuse Collection Point will be at no cost to the Urban Council but the Council will have to meet the construction cost of the district library.

It is difficult to say when construction work on the project will commence. It really depends a lot on when the site will be sold. However, I should add that normal practice is that the successful purchaser is allowed 3 years to complete the development of the whole project. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

MISS CHRISTINA TING asked the following question (in Cantonese):- According to the existing planning standard, one swimming pool should be provided for every 287 000 persons. At present, the Eastern District has a population of 600 000, and this size is still growing fast. The good location of the Victoria Park swimming pool enables it to cater for the need of not only the Eastern District. On the other hand, the inconvenient location of the Chai Wan swimming pool has rendered people hesitant about using it. In view of the above, the Eastern District Board has recently proposed that the Urban Council should

Page 96 of 126