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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, expressed disappointment that the Public Works Subcommittee (PWSC) decided this morning (November 26) to adjourn discussion on two funding proposals involving the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and a study on the proposed Sunny Bay reclamation.
"The Government is steaming ahead with various infrastructure projects that can underpin the long-term economic development of Hong Kong, support housing development, improve the environment and more. Any public works funding proposal put forward to the Legislative Council may be controversial and requires members of the Legislative Council, on behalf of the Hong Kong people, to examine the item and make a proper decision in the best interest of Hong Kong. The PWSC, however, has voted to adjourn the deliberations on two funding proposals this morning because of their controversies. We are disappointed by this," Mr Tsang said.
A Government spokesman pointed out that the PWSC agenda has already reflected the importance and urgency of the various items. The tender validity date for an important contract of the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and associated works project will expire on December 31 this year. Based on the prevailing meeting schedules of the PWSC and the Finance Committee (FC), it is unlikely that funding will be approved before expiry of the tender validity. The Government may have to re-tender. The project would then suffer delay and further cost increase is possible.
Reclamation is a key source of land supply in Hong Kong. After two rounds of public engagement, reclamation at Sunny Bay is found to have less impact on the public and the environment. The proposal would also help reuse surplus public fill. If we cannot commence the planning and engineering study on Sunny Bay reclamation early, it would affect housing and land supply in the future.
"These two items are very important to the economic development and livelihood of Hong Kong. We will resubmit them to the PWSC as soon as possible, hoping that members will complete the examination of the proposals soon," the spokesman said.
The list of works-related funding proposals awaiting FC and PWSC deliberations is over 20. Delays in the approval process have already raised cost estimates by $2.3 billion, a bill to be borne by taxpayers.
Ends/Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:17
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