For discussion PWSC(97-98)55
on 4 November 1997

ITEM FOR PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

HEAD 703 - BUILDINGS
Education - Primary
228EP - Primary school in area 3, Tin Shui Wai
237EP - Second primary school in area 3, Tin Shui Wai

Members are invited to recommend to Finance Committee the upgrading of 228EP and 237EP to Category A at an estimated cost of $153.3 million in money-of-the-day prices for the construction of two primary schools in area 3, Tin Shui Wai.

PROBLEM

The Director of Education (D of E) forecasts that there will be a shortfall of 261 primary school whole-day classes in school zone 316 (Tin Shui Wai) by 1999.

PROPOSAL

2. The Director of Architectural Services (D Arch S), with the support of the Secretary for Education and Manpower, proposes to upgrade the following projects to Category A at an estimated cost of $153.3 million in money-of-the-day (MOD) prices -

PROJECT SCOPE AND NATURE

3. The two proposed primary schools are standard design school buildings. Each school will have -

1. 30 classrooms;
2. six special rooms (Multi-media, Language, Music, General Studies, Arts and Craft and Multi-purpose);
3. three remedial teaching rooms;
4. a guidance activity/interview room;
5. two interview rooms;
6. four staff rooms and a staff common room;
7. a student activity centre;
8. a conference room;
9. a library;
10. an assembly hall; and
11. ancillary facilities.

JUSTIFICATION

4. D of E forecasts that the demand for primary school classes in school zone 316 (Tin Shui Wai) will reach 501 whole-day classes in 1999. There are now eight primary schools providing 240 classes in this school zone. Apart from the two proposed primary schools in area 3, Tin Shui Wai, we will construct two more primary schools for completion in 1999 in this school zone. The shortfall will be reduced to 141 whole-day classes in 1999. We are planning to construct more schools for completion after 1999 in this school zone to further reduce the shortfall.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5. We estimate the capital cost of 228EP and 237EP to be $74.7 million and $78.6 million respectively in MOD prices (see paragraph 6 below), made up as follows -

A comparison of the standard cost of a primary school with the project estimates of these two schools is at the Enclosure.

6. Subject to approval, we will phase the expenditure as follows -

7. We have derived the MOD estimates on the basis of the Government's forecast of trend labour and construction prices for the period 1997 to 2001. We will tender the works under fixed price lump-sum contracts because we can clearly define the scope of works in advance, leaving little room for uncertainty.

8. We estimate the additional annually recurrent expenditure for each school to be $16.4 million. As the new schools will be operated as aided schools, the individual sponsoring bodies will bear the costs of furniture and equipment, estimated at $3.2 million for each school.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

9. We consulted the Yuen Long District Board on 228EP and 237EP in July 1996 and April 1997 respectively. Members supported the two projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

10. The consultants of the Director of Territory Development (DTD) completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study in March 1997 to assess the environmental impacts arising from the Tin Shui Wai Further Development. The Advisory Council on the Environment endorsed the findings of the EIA Study in April 1997. The Study concluded that with the following mitigation measures, the impact of road traffic noise to the proposed primary schools would be reduced to within the criteria stipulated in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. These measures are -

1. construction of 0.8 to 4.5 metres high road side noise barriers along Ping Ha Road and Tin Ying Road; and
2. provision of temporary noise mitigation measures prior to the completion of the noise barriers.

DTD will bear the cost of these mitigation measures in the relevant projects for the further development of Tin Shui Wai.

11. We will control noise, dust and site run-off nuisances during construction to comply with the established guidelines and standards through the implementation of mitigation measures in the relevant contracts.

LAND ACQUISITION

12. The two projects do not require land acquisition.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

13. We upgraded 228EP and 237EP to Category B in September 1996 and August 1997 respectively. We have completed site investigations for the two projects. We are finalising the working drawings and tender documents using in-house staff resources. We plan to start the construction works for the two schools in January 1998 for completion in August 1999.

Education and Manpower Bureau
October 1997

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Enclosure to PWSC(97-98)55

A comparison of the standard cost of a primary school project with the estimated costs of the proposed school projects

*Assumptions for standard cost

1. No site formation work/geotechnical work is required as it is normally carried out by other government departments under a separate engineering vote before the handing-over of the project site.

2. Piling cost is based on 128 nos. of steel H-piles at an average depth of 30 metres.

3. The provision for site safety of 2% of the estimated contract sum (excluding contingencies) is included in the building cost.

4. The costs for drainage and external works are for a standard school site area of 6 200 square metres built on a flat site. No diversion of existing utilities or noise mitigation measures are required.

5. No consultancy services are required.

6. Furniture and equipment cost is excluded as it is usually borne by the sponsoring body

Notes

A. Piling costs for the proposed schools are adjusted to suit individual site condition and are based on the use of the following -