Fresh proposals are being sought on where and how to build a second cruise-ship terminal to ease the pressure on Ocean Terminal. The main criterion in assessing the proposals will be given to how quickly a terminal can be built, according to a Legislative Council paper. The new terminal is expected to be able to accommodate the newest generation of cruise liners that are too large to berth in Tsim Sha Tsui. Late last year the administration announced plans to develop a new cruise terminal at the former Kai Tak airport in southeast Kowloon, with the aim of finishing the project in 2009. However, the subsequent court judgment restricting reclamation in Victoria Harbour means development plans for the area need to be reviewed, legislators were told yesterday. The project would be delayed for more than three years if work on the cruise terminal project could not begin until the review process was completed, the Economic Development and Labour Bureau said in its submission to Legco. The government will ask for proposals for where and how to build the terminal. The paper said the government hoped developers would suggest alternatives to siting the terminal in southeast Kowloon. The invitation for proposals will be sent out later this year, and a provisional agreement on the favoured proposal signed next year or in 2006. The paper says investors will be encouraged to submit proposals on the location, development and operation of the cruise terminal. The government is also carrying out strengthening work at the Macau Ferry Terminal to allow for the berthing of small and medium-sized ferries. The Legco paper also says the Airport Authority is planning to develop a temporary nine-hole golf course at Chek Lap Kok airport, close to the SkyCity Phase 1 development which includes the Asia World-Expo convention centre and a hotel. The tendering process to select an investor and operator are about to be completed, and the authority expects the course will open in 2006 or 2007.
