HK$10.2billion body proposed to develop Hong Kong’s harbourfront sites
Authority needed which can work with private firms to develop eight waterfront sites, advisers say, but doubts lurk on public’s role in process
The government should consider forking out HK$10.2 billion to set up an authority tasked with creating a vibrant “world-class harbourfront” for Hong Kong, a report submitted by an advisory body yesterday recommended.
The Harbourfront Authority would be charged with developing and managing eight sites along the city’s shoreline. It would not have the power to acquire land on its own but would be able to partner with the private sector to develop sites allocated to it by the government.
The recommendation for such an authority was contained in a report submitted by the Harbourfront Commission to the government yesterday that aimed to set out a holistic policy on waterfront development free from red tape.
The commission advises the government on harbourfront development.
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The eight proposed sites are newly reclaimed areas of land or sites zoned as open space ready for immediate development on the new Central harbourfront, the Wan Chai-North Point harbourfront, the Kwun Tong harbourfront, the Hung Hom harbourfront and the Quarry Bay harbourfront. The body should also have the power to propose developing potential sites, the report said.
The authority, expected to be accountable to a government minister, should be run by a governing board with broad-based representation comprising not more than 20 members, including senior public officials, legislative councillors, district councillors, and professionals, with either the chairman or the vice-chairman being a government official. All board members would be appointed by the chief executive on a personal basis, it said.
Under estimates by an independent consultant, the government would be expected to set aside about HK$10.2 billion in capital costs for the authority to develop the eight sites and to provide funding to cover its operating expenses in a three-to-five-year development stage, according to the report. It would then need about HK$375 million a year to cover its operating costs.
To ensure accountability and transparency, every funding withdrawal from the dedicated fund would be subject to approval from the Legislative Council and all the board meetings should be conducted openly to prevent the authority from becoming an “independent kingdom”.
Nicholas Brooke, the commission’s chairman, said he believed the proposed injection of funds would be worthwhile.
“The establishment of the Harbourfront Authority will be a key step in achieving our shared vision of building a harbour for the people and a harbour of vitality,” he said, adding that he expected a bill to be tabled to Legco before its term expires in July.
But Paul Zimmerman, a commission member, said the report had failed to spell out clearly the responsibilities of the government on issues such as public safety and marine traffic.
He said also that the document failed to indicate how the authority should consult the public, contending that priority in decision-making should be given to public consultations.
“The most important thing is the public. What do they want for the harbour’s design and how do they want it to be managed?
The commission, an advisory body, will be disbanded upon the establishment of the authority.
