The Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Executive Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Lu Ruifeng, convened the seventh meeting of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development (Joint Task Force) in Hong Kong today (October 31).
The Joint Task Force was briefed by its working groups on the progress of the Lok Ma Chau Loop Development, including its mode of development, and the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (BCP) project, and discussed the way forward.
Regarding the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai BCP project, the International Design Ideas Competition for the BCP Passenger Terminal Building jointly organised by Hong Kong and Shenzhen has been completed. The results were announced in a prize award ceremony hosted by the Secretary for Development and the Executive Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government in September. The Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities agreed to make reference to the winning entry in taking forward the design of the passenger terminal building and would actively prepare for the detailed design work. Meanwhile, both Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides are undertaking various preparatory works for the construction of the BCP.
The detailed design and construction supervision consultancy agreement for the site formation works of the BCP and the construction works of the BCP connecting road on the Hong Kong side commenced in mid-March while the associated investigation works have just begun in late October. The Shenzhen side has already completed the detailed planning, site selection, land requirement, environmental impact assessment and preparation of the feasibility study report while the preliminary investigation works are underway. According to the schedule, the site formation works of the BCP will commence in Hong Kong and Shenzhen in 2013, with a view to commissioning the BCP no later than 2018.
With regard to the co-development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities continued to actively explore various issues including the development positioning, applicable laws, land administration and co-development mechanism of the Loop. The discussion is making good progress. Regarding the planning and engineering study, both sides will continue to refine the development scheme of the Loop in the light of the public views received earlier and the results of technical assessments. The Recommended Outline Development Plan is expected to be available for public consultation in early 2012.
The Joint Task Force was pleased to note that both the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai BCP project had made marked progress.
To tie in with the expansion of the Man Kam To BCP in Shenzhen, the Shenzhen Municipal Government suggested to use a small part of cross-boundary land formed as a result of the river training works for the Shenzhen River near the Man Kam To BCP to help ease traffic congestion at the passenger vehicles throughway. The Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities agreed to the suggestion during the meeting.
The meeting was held at the Hong Kong Science Park (Science Park). After the meeting, representatives of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation briefed the Joint Task Force on the development of the Science Park and led a tour of its facilities.
Ends/Monday, October 31, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:42
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