LCQ22: Opening of the military dock site to the public

Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, in the Legislative Council today (March 16):

Question:

At present, a site within Site 7 in the new Central Harbourfront (the promenade), which has an area of 0.3 hectare and occupies a shoreline of about 190 metres, has been set aside for use as a military dock by the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison (the Garrison). I have recently received complaints from some members of the public and joggers that for a long time, the Garrison has not made use of the site, which is now overgrown with weeds. Although the Government has stated on several occasions that the Garrison has undertaken to open the military dock area as a part of the promenade for public use when it is not in military use, the Garrison has not honoured its undertaking so far. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(1) it knows the latest progress of the construction of the military dock and the relevant facilities by the Garrison, including whether the relevant construction works have been completed, which party is responsible for the management of the relevant facilities, and why the military dock has all along been closed off; and

(2) it has sought explanations from the Garrison for its failure to honour its undertaking to open the military dock area to the public when it is not in military use; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether it will expeditiously follow up with the Garrison on the arrangements for opening the dock area?

Reply:

President,

The Central Military Dock is a military facility. The Government has explained to the Legislative Council and the public the background and procedures in relation to the Military Dock a number of times in the past.  According to the original plan, the Government will hand over the Military Dock to the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison (the Garrison) after the completion of the construction works and all relevant procedures.

At present, the construction works of the Military Dock has been completed, but the relevant statutory planning procedures are subject to judicial review and thus have not been completed. Hence the Government has not yet taken forward the follow-up actions required for handing over the Military Dock to the Garrison. The Lands Department is currently responsible for the daily management of the land where the dock is located and has fenced off the relevant area according to established practice. As the Military Dock is a military facility, it is not suitable to be opened for public use before handing over to the Garrison.

Ends/Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:33

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