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The Tamar Development Project would become a new landmark in a prime location next to the Victoria Harbour, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, said at the Contract Signing Ceremony for the Tamar Development Project today (January 28). It would also represent the multi-faceted and inclusive metropolitan as well as maturing civic society that Hong Kong was, he said.
The Tamar Development Project contains a large number of green features, such as solar electricity panels, automatic refuse collection system, sea-water cooled chiller plants, and green roofs.
"The Tamar complex will be one of the Government's 'greenest' complexes when completed," Mr Tang said.
"Tamar will be an asset shared by all Hong Kong people. Half of this precious land will be allocated as public open space."
The open space to be provided in the project amounts to some two hectares. The north-south landscaped "green carpet" maximises accessibility of the public to the waterfront.
To enhance the greenery of the open space, various landscaping measures such as an extensive lawn, tree plantations, water basins and a lily pond will be included. Features such as a civic piazza, a sculpture court, an amphitheatre and a Tamar corner will provide venues for different types of activities for public enjoyment.
Mr Tang pointed out that the commencement of works upon contract signing was brought about by the hard work of different parties. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Legislative Council, the tenderers as well as the groups and people who were interested in the project.
"We look forward to working closely with the Gammon-Hip Hing Joint Venture to bring to the community a new landmark that the public, the Legislative Council and the Government will jointly use and will be proud of."
The Government, on January 9, issued a Letter of Acceptance to the Joint Venture for the design-and-build contract of the Tamar Development Project. The contract covers the design and construction of the Central Government Complex, the Legislative Council Complex, an open space, two covered pedestrian footbridges and other ancillary facilities. The contract is worth $4.94 billion.
Construction works are expected to begin in mid February this year for completion in 2011.
A workforce of more than 3,000 will be engaged at the peak of the project's construction period, which will help ease unemployment in the construction sector.
The Director of Architectural Services, Mr Yue Chi-hang, signed the contract on behalf of the Government while the Chief Executive of Gammon Construction Limited Mr Thomas Ho, and the Executive Director of Hip Hing Construction Company Limited, Mr Chu Tat-chi, represented the joint venture in signing the contract.
Ends/Monday, January 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:04
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