Cost of new government offices in West Kowloon 'too high'
Legislators give initial go-ahead to construction of a government complex in Yau Ma Tei, but warn they will be watching for cost overruns
A HK$6 billion plan to build a new government office complex in Yau Ma Tei has sparked fresh concerns over unchecked spending on public projects.
Legislators warned officials yesterday that the plan could be voted down in the end if lax monitoring of the use of public money was found, although the project was given an initial green light by the Legislative Council financial affairs panel.
At least one panel member compared it with the HK$6.1 billion plan for RTHK's new headquarters, which was voted down last month.
The government is planning to build the West Kowloon Government Offices on a one- hectare site next to the HKMA David Li Kwok Po College. It will comprise two blocks of 16 storeys and 18 storeys, according to the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau.
Construction is scheduled to start next year. On completion by 2019, some department offices housed in government office towers in Wan Chai and Yau Ma Tei would be moved in phases to the new complex. Some government units now renting private offices in Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Kwun Tong would also be moved there, resulting in an annual saving of HK$150 million in rent, according to the bureau.
The government says the relocation will also help release more core business sites for commercial use. There are also plans to build new government office towers in Kai Tak and Tseung Kwan O.
Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Yeung Tak-keung told the panel yesterday that the West Kowloon Government Offices project could cost about HK$6 billion.