Tamar plan squanders rare waterfront opportunity

If retailers and travel operators are concerned about the attractiveness of Hong Kong after the disappointing influx of mainlanders over the Labour Day 'golden week', they may want to urgently call on their representatives in the Liberal Party.

A total of 6.5 hectares of a scarce public resource, the harbourfront, is about to be squandered. As it stands, Tamar and the immediate waterfront will be converted into government offices, a sun-blasted open space and promenade, and a new highway.

This land is ideal for uses which attract residents and tourists to enjoy our greatest free asset for leisure, entertainment and commerce - the harbour. Tamar is also the last opportunity to fix the hostile environments of Wan Chai North and the Central ferry piers.

If retailers and tour operators are determined to improve the operating environment for their businesses, they should call on their champions in the Legislative Council to reconsider their support for the government's plan to build its headquarters there. Legco is about to give the government a $5 billion blank cheque to destroy forever this opportunity to create new jobs in the retail and tourist industry.

Together with former legislator Peter Wong Hong-yuen, WWF Hong Kong chairman Markus Shaw and Christine Loh Kung-wai of Civic Exchange, we have prepared detailed designs for an alternative approach. We urge business leaders and legislators to take a closer look at the plans, the options and their impact.

PAUL ZIMMERMAN, Mid-Levels