LCQ18: Five-Year Plan for Sports and Recreational Facilities
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Question:
In the 2017 Policy Address, the Government proposed the "Five-Year Plan for Sports and Recreation Facilities" to launch 26 projects to develop new and improve existing sports and recreation facilities. However, the Government indicated in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure 2025-2026 that four out of such 26 projects are still under planning. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) in respect of the aforesaid four projects still under planning, of (i) the dates when they were proposed, and (ii) the time lag to date since their proposal (set out in a table);
(2) as the Government has advised that among the aforesaid four projects, the project of Sports Ground and Open Space with Public Vehicle Park in Area 16, Tuen Mun (TMA16 Project) can only proceed after the depots of two franchised bus companies currently at the site concerned are relocated, and that the Government will actively co-ordinate in expediting the implementation of the depot relocation plans for the two franchised bus companies, of the latest progress of the relevant work, and how the Government will push forward the commencement of the TMA16 Project; and
(3) whether it will consider proceeding to tendering for the engagement of engineering consultants for the TMA16 Project as the first step, so as to kick-start the engineering design and submission of the planning applications as early as possible, thereby compressing the overall timeline of the project; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Government announced in the 2017 Policy Address the "Five-Year Plan for Sports and Recreation Facilities" with a view to commencing 26 projects to increase and improve sports and recreation facilities. Among which, 13 projects have been opened or partially opened for public use while four projects are still under planning. Having consulted the relevant policy bureaux and departments, my reply to the questions raised by the Hon Holden Chow is set out below:
(1) In order to make optimal use of land resources, the Government announced in the 2018 Policy Address that the principle of "single site, multiple uses" would be adopted when implementing public works projects. In view of the public demand for parking spaces in the relevant districts, the Government has proposed to incorporate public vehicle parks into four sports and recreation facility projects under planning to meet the public needs for sports and recreation facilities and alleviate the demand for parking spaces in the districts concerned. The latest progress of the four projects is set out below:
| Project | Date of obtaining support from the District Council (DC) upon revision of the proposed project facilities | Number of years since the date of obtaining support from the DC and current progress (up to 2025) |
| Sports Ground and Open Space with Public Vehicle Park in Area 16, Tuen Mun (TMA16 Project) | Support was obtained from Tuen Mun DC in February 2019 |
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| Football-cum-Rugby Pitch with Public Vehicle Park in Area 33, Tai Po |
Support was obtained from Tai Po DC in November 2018. |
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| Sports Facilities with Public Vehicle Park in Tung Tau Industrial Area, Yuen Long |
Support was obtained from Yuen Long DC in January 2019. |
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| Open Space with Public Vehicle Park in Area 17, Tuen Mun |
Support was obtained from Tuen Mun DC in June 2019 |
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The Government will continue to review the order of priority of works projects under planning and update their works schedules as appropriate for using public resources more effectively.
(2) Regarding the TMA16 Project, relevant government departments have been actively assisting franchised bus operators in identifying sites for relocating the bus depots so as to vacate the site early for taking forward the project. Both the KMB and Citybus have submitted STT applications to the Lands Department for the use of government sites at the southern and northern ends of Ho Wo Street respectively for relocating the bus depots currently located at Area 16, Tuen Mun. The site at the southern end of Ho Wo Street was handed over to the KMB in March 2025. The KMB will carry out site formation and associated works as soon as practicable to expedite the commencement of the new bus depot thereat.
As for the site at the northern end of Ho Wo Street which Citybus has applied for, its underground drainage facilities pose certain technical constraints on the use of the land, including the feasibility of setting up petrol stations and vehicle-washing machines at the site. In this regard, relevant government departments are actively liaising with Citybus and exploring possible solutions. Upon the granting of STT, Citybus will commence the preparatory work for relocating its bus depot.
Relevant bureaux and departments will continue to co-ordinate and assist the two bus companies in the relocation exercise to ensure that the bus depots can be moved out and the site can be cleared as soon as practicable. Meanwhile, other preparatory work will continue to be carried out so that the works can be commenced immediately after the tender exercise is completed and funding approval is obtained from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
(3) To implement the TMA16 Project, the Government will adopt the D&B model under which bids for design works and building works will be invited under a single contract. The successful contractor is required to engage construction and design teams to carry out detailed design for the project simultaneously to shorten the overall construction period as well as make best use of its expertise and experience on building materials and construction techniques to enhance the design quality and cost-effectiveness of the project.
Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:57
Issued at HKT 12:57
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