ENG-2006 — Page 276

228 Land, Public Works and Utilities

Work is continuing on the Aldrich Bay Market and Public Toilet, the provision of air-conditioning for San Hui Market, converting aqua privies into flushing toilets, and on the redevelopment of crematorium and on more columbarium facilities at Diamond Hill.

Disciplined Services

Projects completed during the year included the Kowloon Tong Fire Station-cum- Ambulance Depot and the Kowloon Fire Command Headquarters, the reprovisioning of Civil Aid Service and Fire Services Department facilities at the West Kowloon Reclamation, Marine Outer Waters District Headquarters and Marine Police North Division at Ma Liu Shui, the reprovisioning of Victoria Prison at the Lai Chi Kok Old Married Quarters site, and the fitting-out works for the customs, immigration and quarantine facilities at the SkyPlaza at Hong Kong International Airport.

Construction of the new Independent Commission Against

Against Corruption Headquarters Building in North Point is in progress.

Boundary Crossing Facilities

Projects completed during the year included the installation of an air-conditioning system at the Lo Wu cross-boundary footbridge and work related to the expansion of customs and immigration facilities at the Sha Tau Kok Control Point.

The construction of boundary crossing facilities at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor is in progress and is scheduled for tentative commissioning in 2007.

Government Offices

In September, the Government invited four pre-qualified tenderers to submit bids for the design-and-build contract of the Tamar Development Project. Commencement of the tender exercise marks a major milestone for the project.

The project calls for an aesthetically-pleasing design that blends naturally with the Central cityscape, that enhances the appeal and vibrancy of the harbourfront area, and that is in compatible with Hong Kong Island's ridgeline. The design should also convey Hong Kong's position as Asia's world city dynamic, sophisticated and cosmopolitan, and should be functional, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The Government aims to complete the project around the end 2010.

Initiatives in Sustainable Development

The department continues to promote and implement the sustainable development concept within the building industry. It encourages a holistic approach to the building designs which it feels should include provisions for energy-saving devices and materials that are environmentally friendly and can be reused. Meticulous attention is given to the urban surroundings, users' needs and building longevity. A good example is the recently completed Hong Kong Wetland Park in Tin Shui Wai. The project shows impressively how natural habitats with rich biodiversity can co-exist harmoniously with the surrounding environment in which people live. The project won the Medal of the Year bestowed by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects in their Annual Awards 2005 and the Grand Award of the Green Building Award 2006.