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The Government yesterday (January 9) issued a Letter of Acceptance to the Gammon-Hip Hing Joint Venture (G-HH JV) for the design-and-build contract of the Tamar Development Project.
The Letter of Acceptance allows the G-HH JV to start the detailed work needed to execute the contract. The letter is legally binding on the Government and the G-HH JV.
The contract covers the design and construction of the Central Government Complex, the Legislative Council Complex, an open space of not less than two hectares, two covered pedestrian footbridges and other ancillary facilities. The contract is worth $4.94 billion.
The G-HH JV was the highest-scoring tender assessed by the Special Selection Board for the Tamar Development Project.
The Government issued a non-binding Letter of Intent to the G-HH JV in July 2007 so that it could proceed to obtain the necessary planning permission from the Town Planning Board. The Town Planning Board granted permission to the G-HH JV's tender design under Section 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131) in October 2007.
"The Government is very delighted that works for this important project will soon commence," said Miss Jennifer Mak, Director of Administration.
"A workforce of over 3,000 will be engaged at the peak of the project's construction period, which will help ease unemployment in the construction sector.
"It will also help solve the acute shortage of office space faced by the Government and Legislative Council.
"We look forward to working with the G-HH JV to bring this important project to life. It will provide our city with a new and iconic civic centre, and greatly enhance connectivity to the harbourfront and surrounding areas," she said.
The Tamar complex will be one of the government's "greenest" complexes when completed in 2011.
Environmentally friendly and energy-efficient features will include double-layer ventilated facades, green roofs, high energy efficiency sea-water cooled chiller plants, rainwater recycling for irrigation purpose, solar electricity panels, service-on-demand escalators, daylight sensor controls and computerised lighting controls.
The G-HH JV design also provides a landscaped "green carpet" open space for public enjoyment.
The Special Selection Board for the Tamar Development Project is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Other members of the Special Selection Board are Mrs Rita Fan, Ms Miriam Lau, Professor David Lung, Mr Alan Lai and Mrs Rita Lau.
Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:00
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