The Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands), Mr John Tsang, today (July 23) called on members of the public to support the idea of a Harbour Park along the existing Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter breakwater.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition entitled "Historic and Innovative Wan Chai" organised by the Wan Chai District Promotion Group on Culture Heritage and Tourism, Mr Tsang said that the park, which would be an extension of the Victoria Park towards the seafront, would offer an ideal spot for people to enjoy the views on both sides of the Victoria Harbour.
It was an innovative proposal under the Wan Chai Development Phase II (WD II) Project, he said.
According to the Draft Wan Chai North Outline Zoning Plan, the park will be an unique, interesting and dynamic public space to bring people to the harbour.
Mr Tsang said that work would soon start on WD II, the final phase of the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation.
Under the Project, a minimal reclamation will take place at Wan Chai North to provide land for the essential transport infrastructure and facilities.
The infrastructure will include the Central-Wan Chai Bypass and the Island Eastern Corridor Link - two road connections that will help alleviate congestions on the busy Gloucester Road and provide east-west transport links within the district.
Land will also be reserved for developing two rail facilities - the North Hong Kong Island Line and the fourth rail harbour crossing section of the Shatin to Central Link.
"They will further enhance the district's connectivity with other parts of the territory and make Wan Chai a major traffic hub in the metropolitan area," Mr Tsang said.
A high quality waterfront promenade will also be developed along the Wan Chai reclamation area under WDII.
"Our aim is to build a 3.5-kilometre long seaside corridor between the new Star Ferry in Central and the typhoon shelter in Causeway Bay which will incorporate a variety of tourist and recreational facilities," Mr Tsang said.
"These developments will help make the future Wan Chai waterfront an important focus for tourist, cultural and recreational facilities and bring a new face to the district."
"The Government will strive to bring better infrastructure to Wan Chai and further improve the quality of life there in the coming decade," Mr Tsang said.
End/Tuesday, July 23, 2002
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