LCQ14: Joint-user government complex project in Kwu Tung North
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Question:
Earlier on, the Panel on Development of this Council discussed the Administration's proposed public works project to construct a joint-user complex (JUC) and a joint-user general office building (JUB) at Area 29 of the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (KTN NDA). In addition to providing government offices, the project, which is the first Government's flagship project in the Northern Metropolis (NM), will also offer various community facilities. There are views that the two proposed buildings will not only provide facilities and services to nearby residents but also serve as landmarks of KTN NDA. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the strategic significance of the aforesaid project to the enhancement of the speed and quality of NM development, and how its implementation in KTN NDA will improve the planning of KTN NDA; how the Government will step up public promotion of the public facilities and services provided by the aforesaid project;
(2) as indicated in the paper submitted by the Government to the Panel on Development, the scale of the proposed JUC and JUB is comparable to that of the Central Government Offices (CGO) and the Legislative Council Complex (Complex) after expansion, whether the construction costs of these two buildings are also comparable to those of CGO and the Complex;
(3) whether the Government has plans to provide similar joint-user office and service complexes in other areas of NM to accommodate the relocation of major government departments and provide various community cultural, recreational and sports facilities; if so, of the details; and
(4) given that JUC and JUB will each house facilities such as a library and a community hall, it is anticipated that they will serve a large number of people daily, but the authorities have allocated only around 650 square metres for small and medium-sized shops under the entire project, and such a limited area may not be sufficient to meet residents' daily consumption needs and demand for support facilities, whether the authorities have reserved space or incorporated design flexibility to allow for an expansion of shop area in the future; whether the authorities have planned any other commercial sites near Area 29 of KTN NDA to supplement the community's commercial support facilities?
Reply:
President,
The Government plans to construct a joint-user complex (JUC) and a joint-user general office building (JUB) (the Project) at Area 29 of the Kwu Tung North (KTN) New Development Area (NDA) in the Northern Metropolis (NM). The Project demonstrates the Government’s commitment to drive the development of the NM, with an iconic government facility cluster showcasing the NM as a future core area of Hong Kong.
In respect of the Hon Yiu Ming's question, the reply to various parts is as follows:
(1) The KTN NDA is the first NDA in the NM entering the construction stage, and the Project marks an important milestone and pioneer in the NM development. First, it is the first government facility cluster in the NM. Some government offices currently situated in other districts, covering nine bureaux/departments including the headquarters of the Architectural Services Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, will be relocated to the JUB within the Project, thereby driving the development of KTN and highlighting the NM's strategic significance. In addition, the Project is of a substantial scale, with a total net operational floor area (NOFA) of about 86 000 square metres, comparable to the Tamar Central Government Offices (CGO) and Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex after expansion. Apart from its iconic architectural design, the Project will also integrate green building and smart elements, and adopt advanced construction methods, setting to become a landmark building in the KTN. The Project also embodies the principles of enhancing speed and efficiency. Subject to LegCo's funding approval, works will commence in the third quarter of this year. The 35-storey JUB is anticipated to be completed first in only about three and a half years (i.e. by end-2029), while the JUC is scheduled for completion by end-2030 to meet the needs of the additional population of 130 000 upon the full completion of KTN in 2032.
For the KTN NDA, the Project provides not only government offices, but also various sports, cultural and recreational, medical, educational and welfare facilities, including a multi-purpose sports centre capable for hosting local and international fencing competitions (such as Fencing World Cup sub-station tournaments), as well as serving as a training venue for non-elite fencing athletes. Relevant departments will promote the public facilities and services available within the Project to their stakeholders. In addition, the Project, together with the NM core exhibition gallery under construction, the international swimming complex under planning, and the Long Valley Nature Park already open to the public, will transform the KTN NDA into a new civic node, comprehensively enhancing the positioning and development potential of the NDA.
(2) As mentioned above, the Project has a total NOFA of about 86 000 sq m, comparable in scale to the Tamar CGO and LegCo Complex after expansion. To meet the construction programme, the Government has completed parallel tendering for the "design and build" contract. The Public Works Subcommittee (PWSC) will consider the funding application for the Project on June 29, 2026 (see paper at www.legco.gov.hk/yr2026/english/fc/pwsc/papers/P26-11-e.pdf). Taking into account the returned tender price, the latest construction cost is estimated at $9,700.1 million in the money-of-the day prices, which is about $260 million (approximately 2.6 per cent) lower than the estimate of $9,960.1 million presented when we consulted the LegCo Panel on Development in end-May 2026.
When comparing the unit costs of different construction projects, the construction floor area (CFA) is usually based upon for calculation. The Project has a total CFA of about 182 674 sq m. At September 2025 prices, the estimated unit construction cost per sq m of CFA (covering building and building services costs) is $31,260. For the CGO and LegCo Complex after expansion, the total CFA is about 225 700 sq m. Converting the actual construction cost to September 2025 prices, the unit construction cost per sq m of CFA, again covering building and building services costs, is $40,200. However, as the type of facilities and design of the CGO and LegCo Complex after expansion differ from those of the Project, the above comparison based solely on CFA should be regarded as a reference only.
In the PWSC paper, we have compared the KTN Project with two other building projects of a similar type, namely Public Works Programme (PWP) Item No. 125KA "Joint-user Government Office Building in Area 67, Tseung Kwan O" and PWP Item No. 203GK "Joint-user Complex at Carpenter Road, Kowloon City". The unit construction costs of all three projects are broadly comparable.
(3) In line with the consideration of driving development through government facility buildings, we have planned another JUC and JUB on a site at Area 26 of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA. That project is still at the preliminary planning stage, and further details are not available at this stage. We will also identify a suitable site for construction of government building in the New Territories North New Town.
(4) To meet the needs of staff, visitors and facility users of the JUB and JUC and other members of the public, we propose to reserve around 650 sq m in NOFA at the ground floor of the Project for shop and restaurant purposes. Conveniently located, these shop and restaurant facilities will benefit different users. However, given the limited floor space on the ground level, which also needs to accommodate other community facilities such as a kindergarten, we are unable to increase the area allocated to shops and restaurants. Nevertheless, three private commercial and residential developments are currently under construction to the north of the Project, providing a total of over 31 000 sq m of non-domestic floor area, most of which will be dedicated to shopping malls or shops. These facilities are expected to sufficiently meet the daily needs of the local residents.
Ends/Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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