Ideas wanted for Wetland Park site

A factory outlet selling brand name products could be an option for a vacant site next to the popular Wetland Park in Tin Shui Wai, a minister said yesterday.

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor told the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce yesterday that the government would invite expressions of interests from the business sector for the site this month.

The government hopes new developments in Tin Shui Wai will create jobs for residents of the deprived suburb.

The Development Bureau has been looking for potential uses for two vacant sites near the Wetland Park.

Mrs Lam announced last month that close to a hectare would be used to build a fifth training centre for construction workers. The centre is expected to be ready next year and provide 300 training places.

'The centre will be the first in the northwestern New Territories. Residents will no longer have to pay high transport costs to attend courses in Kowloon Bay or Sha Tin,' she said. 'We are looking for proposals which would take advantage of the tourism opportunities in the district. It takes less than 20 minutes to travel from the Western Corridor to the site.'

Hong Kong's fourth border crossing, the Western Corridor linking the northwestern New Territories with Shekou opened last year.

A factory outlet and restaurants have been proposed for a 3-hectare site adjoining the training centre.

Mrs Lam said brand name products would be attractive to mainland tourists, and urged the business sector to submit proposals.

A bureau spokesman said a buffer zone would be created between the Wetland Park and the commercial facilities to avoid disturbance to the natural landscape.

The bureau is discussing with the Housing Society the possibility of building homes for the elderly on the other vacant site of about 6 hectares. They need to assess whether the area needs such a development.