Claudia Mo speaks to RTHK's Priscilla Ng
Civic Party lawmaker Claudia Mo says she wants to lift public awareness over the government's decision to push ahead with a three-year waterfront development project at Tsim Sha Tsui.
Mo said the community doesn't seem to know enough about the controversial project, including about accusations that the government is colluding with New World Development by getting the private developer involved in the joint venture.
Speaking at a public forum, she said people need to understand the importance of transparency in major public projects like this.
The Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui was closed on October 8 for a major facelift that will take three years. During the renovation, the copper statues of prominent celebrities, such as Bruce Lee and Anita Mui, will be moved to the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden.
The controversial project, which is spearheaded by New World Development and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, was approved by the Town Planning Board in August. But it faced a backlash from the public after community groups said they were not properly consulted. The move to entrust public land to a private developer without an open tender also sparked a public outcry.
In early September, the government announced that a public consultation on the plans would be re-launched. However, the community will not be consulted on whether there was a need to introduce a bidding procedure for the project.
Under the plan, the 440-metre Avenue of Stars will be extended eastward to incorporate the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade that ends in Hung Hom. A performance venue, film gallery and dining facilities will be added to the site. The project is expected to be completed in 2018.
Mo said the community doesn't seem to know enough about the controversial project, including about accusations that the government is colluding with New World Development by getting the private developer involved in the joint venture.
Speaking at a public forum, she said people need to understand the importance of transparency in major public projects like this.
The Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui was closed on October 8 for a major facelift that will take three years. During the renovation, the copper statues of prominent celebrities, such as Bruce Lee and Anita Mui, will be moved to the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden.
The controversial project, which is spearheaded by New World Development and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, was approved by the Town Planning Board in August. But it faced a backlash from the public after community groups said they were not properly consulted. The move to entrust public land to a private developer without an open tender also sparked a public outcry.
In early September, the government announced that a public consultation on the plans would be re-launched. However, the community will not be consulted on whether there was a need to introduce a bidding procedure for the project.
Under the plan, the 440-metre Avenue of Stars will be extended eastward to incorporate the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade that ends in Hung Hom. A performance venue, film gallery and dining facilities will be added to the site. The project is expected to be completed in 2018.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1219476-20151025.htm
