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Martin Wong

Plan includes extending promenade and building a pier outside Murray House

Nearly $90 million is to be spent beautifying the Stanley waterfront as part of the Tourism Commission's project to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a top tourist destination in Asia.

In a paper to be discussed by  Legco's economic services panel next week, the government proposes using $87.5 million to carry out the Stanley Waterfront Improvement Project, covering 14,350 square metres including the Stanley Bay promenade, Murray House and the Shui Sin Temple.

The project is one of the key tourism areas identified by the  commission to make the city more attractive and visitor-friendly

'Stanley is one of the most popular tourist districts in Hong Kong and is selected as a priority area for physical enhancement, including construction of a public pier, extension of the promenade to create more open space, improvements to landscaping, street paving, furniture and lighting, signage and information boards,' the paper says.

The main work of the project will be the construction of a public pier outside Murray House that will provide berthing for leisure and tour service vessels. This alone will cost about $30 million.

'To ensure the design of the pier will blend with the architecture of Murray House, we will relocate the Old Blake Pier roof in Morse Park [in Lok Fu] with similar architectural style and historical value, to Stanley,' the paper says.

'The proposal will not only put the roof back to its original use but will also bring out its heritage value.'

The government added that it had already consulted with and obtained the nod from the Southern District Council, the Tourism Council  and the Wong Tai Sin District Council for the project, which will start this year and finish in 2007.

The director of environmental protection has also approved the Stanley project, which now awaits Legco approval.

Other projects suggested by the Tourism Commission to enhance the attractiveness of the city include the Peak Improvement Project, the Tung Chung Cable Car Project and Disneyland.

Last year, a government study proposed that main tourist spots along Victoria Harbour should be connected with water buses  to Aberdeen and Stanley, where other attractions were located.



Stanley waterfront to get $90m facelift in drive to woo tourists