LegCo Planning, Lands and Works Panel Meeting
on 15 October 1998
439CL - Wan Chai reclamation phase 2
Consultants' fees and site investigation
BACKGROUND
1. The need for reclamation in Central and Wan Chai was first identified in the Harbour Reclamation and Urban Growth Study (SHRUG) in 1983 and later confirmed by the 1984 Territorial Development Strategy (TDS), 1991 Metroplan and 1996 TDS Review.
2. The Central and Wan Chai Reclamation Feasibility Study was endorsed by the Land Development Policy Committee (LDPC) on 22 September 1989. The original recommendation was to reclaim an area of about 108 hectares along the waterfront from Central to Causeway Bay. The main objective of the subject study is to provide land for the Central - Wan Chai Bypass, the Island Eastern Corridor Link (IECL), the MTR North Hong Kong Island line, and to improve the existing waterfront by making it more pedestrian - friendly and easily accessible by the public.
3. Central and Wan Chai Reclamation is divided into 5 phases as shown on the attachment. Phases I and II of Central Reclamation and Phase I of Wan Chai Reclamation have been completed.
4. We included 439CL 'Wan Chai reclamation phase 2 - consultants' fees and site investigation" in Category B in July 1994. The scope of 439CL comprises site investigation, studies and detailed design for Wan Chai Reclamation Phase 2 (WR2).
PROPOSAL
5. We now propose to upgrade part of 439CL to Category A to cover site investigation and a comprehensive study for WR2. The feasibility study includes the following specific studies: -
- a planning study;
- an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study:
- a Transport and Traffic Impact Assessment (T&TIA) study:
- a Drainage Impact Assessment (DIA) study;
- A Marine Impact Assessment (MIA) study;
- an engineering study; and
- a reprovisioning study, in relation to the waterfront facilities.
The proposed upgrading of part of 439CL does not included the detailed design works.
6. A comprehensive feasibility study as well as site investigation for Wan Chai Reclamation phase 2 are planned to commence in early-1999 for completion in mid-2000. Subject to the findings of the study, we plan to commence the detailed design of WR2 in late-2000 with a view to commencing construction in late 2002 for completion in mid-2008.
7. The cost estimate of the proposed works is $51.3M at December 1997 prices i.e. $60M in MOD. We will submit a paper for consideration of PWSC on 11 November 1998.
JUSTIFICATION
8. In 1989, the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation Feasibility Study recommended reclaiming 45 hectares of land in WR2 for residential and hotel development, as well as development of a cruise centre and a public park. With the enactment of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance in June 1997, the Administration has reviewed various possible scenarios of WR2, having regard to the strong public sentiments against reclamation. The current proposal recommends reclaiming only 27 hectares - a significant reduction from what was original planned. The proposed extent of reclamation would provide the land just enough to accommodate the necessary transport infrastructure (i.e. the IECL) plus a 40-metre wide waterfront promenade. As a result, the existing waterfront facilities, the public cargo working area, the Yacht Club will need to be reprovisioned.
9. The proposed WR2 forms an integral part of the Central and Wan Chai reclamation (CWR) development. One of the primary functions of CWR is to provide land for the construction of the Central - Wan Chai Bypass (CWB) and the Island Eastern Corridor Link (IECL) to be completed by 2010. The Final Report for the Updating of the Second Comprehensive Transport Study, which was completed in 1993, indicated that the traffic demand on the existing Connaught Road Central / Harcourt Road / Gloucester Road (CHG) corridor would exceed the design capacity by up to 100% in the early part of the next decade. To avoid a grid-lock, we need to construct the CWB and IECL as soon as possible. The CWB and IECL will link the Rumsey Street Flyover with the Island Eastern Corridor, thus forming a parallel and complementary route to relieve the traffic burden of the CHG corridor.
10. Since the time needed for the procedures before actual construction commence (selecting consultants, conducting comprehensive feasibility study, completing the necessary statutory procedures, producing detailed design) will last about four years, the reclamation will need about 5 years, and the construction of the CWB and IECL will take about two years to complete, the site investigation and comprehensive feasibility study for WR2 will need to commence in February 1999, in order to complete the necessary statutory procedures and match the target completion date of CWB and IECL in 2010. The site investigation and the comprehensive feasibility study for the revised WR2 will address the essential aspects of planning, environmental impact assessment, traffic and transport, engineering, port and marine works, and provide input for the preparation of an Outline Zoning Plan of WR2 to be gazetted in 2001.
11. Estimated Work Programme:
| Description | Estimated Time needed | Target completion date
|
|---|
| (i) Funding available for study | | 27 Nov 1998
|
| (ii) EACSB meeting for shortlisting | | 11 Dec 1998
|
| (iii) Consultants' selection (Invitation
for Technical & Fee Proposals
and Nomination) | 2.5 months | Feb 1999
|
| (iv) Comprehensive Feasibility Study | 18 months | Aug 2000
|
| (v) Consultants' selection & PWSC
action for detailed design | 6 months | Nov 2000
|
| (vi) Detailed Design Stage | 18 months | Jun 2002
|
| (vii) Tendering | 3.5 months | Sep 2002
|
| (viii) Reclamation | 66 months | Mar 2008
|
| (Ix) Transport Infrastructure construction | 24 months | Mid-2010
|
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
12. We will consult the Wan Chai Provisional District Board and the Eastern Provisional District Board after we have finalised the details of the proposed reclamation project.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
13. The proposed consultancy and site investigation works will not have any adverse environmental implications. As part of the detailed investigation for the proposed reclamation and its associated reprovisioning works, the consultants will conduct an EIA study to identify, predict and assess the potential environmental impacts and the cumulative effects arising from the project. The consultants will also identify and propose necessary environmental mitigation measures during the construction and operational phases of the project. We have included $3.5 million for the EIA study in the overall cost of the proposed consultancy. The construction works covered by the proposed consultancy require an environmental permit under the EIA Ordinance (Cap. 499). We will apply for the environmental permit before carrying out these works.
Attachment - Site Plan
Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau
15 October 1998
