Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau invites market to submit expressions of interest for better utilising Kai Tak Cruise Terminal space
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) today (May 21) invites the market to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for better utilising the space of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT).
A spokesman for the CSTB said that, as one of the strategies in the Action Plan on Development of Cruise Tourism, the CSTB aims to elevate the function of the KTCT as a cruise terminal for all. Apart from the cruise operation facilities, the KTCT also has an ancillary commercial area of about 5 600 square metres, and public space located on the rooftop and the second floor. The CSTB invites interested vendors and organisations to submit feasible proposals for the use of the ancillary commercial areas and public space, including use for conventional retail or other purposes, with a view to fully utilising the space.
The CSTB has been committed to promoting the KTCT for hosting more non-cruise and commercial events during the low season and on days when fewer cruises berthing thereat to better utilise the space at the KTCT. As well, with the official commissioning of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) on March 1 this year, the KTSP has become a new hub for hosting major sports and entertainment events. The pedestrian walkway connecting the KTSP and the KTCT has recently been opened, and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has completed the tender exercise for the Youth Post hostel and spaces for cultural and arts exchanges for youths next to the KTCT. The organisation to operate the said youth development facility has been selected, and is expected to commence operation within this year. With the gradual population intake of the residential development projects at the former runway area of Kai Tak, the transport connectivity of the KTCT will continue to be enhanced in accordance with the plan. Seizing the opportunities brought by the abovementioned developments, the CSTB hopes to bring more visitors to the KTCT by the new activities and seek business opportunities through collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community.
The CSTB welcomes interested commercial entities, non-profit-making organisations, organisations related to the cultural, creative and sports industries as well as young entrepreneurs to submit proposals.
The spokesman added that in considering the suggestions collected, the CSTB will focus on how the activities can create greater convenience and a better experience for cruise visitors, create synergies between the KTSP and the Youth Post hostel, and benefit the residential community of Kai Tak. The CSTB will determine the future use and management arrangements of the the relevant space based on the suggestions.
The invitation documents for the EOI have been uploaded onto the website of the Tourism Commission (www.tourism.gov.hk/en/papers-reports.php?type=expression_of_interest). Interested parties must submit their EOI by July 18 (Friday). The CSTB will also hold a briefing session on the EOI invitation on June 3 (Tuesday). For details of the briefing, please refer to the respective invitation documents for the EOI.
Government announces updates on follow-up work on Tai Po fire
The three task forces set up by the Government for the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po - the Task Force on Investigation and Regulation, the Task Force on Emergency Support and Fund-Raising, and the Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements - are making full efforts to follow up on the support, relief, and investigation work related to the incident. Details are as follows:
Financial and welfare support
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For the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, established by the Government, donations received are about $3.4 billion as of noon today (December 13). With the start-up capital of $300 million from the Government, the fund's total has now reached around $3.7 billion. The fund will be used to assist residents in rebuilding their homes and providing long-term and sustained support.
Accommodation support
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As of this morning, a total of 1 392 residents have been accommodated, through the co-ordination of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, in youth hostels, camps, or hotel rooms. Another 3 163 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or units from the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS).
In consideration of the extremely urgent situation of the residents affected by the fire incident, a special arrangement of a full rent exemption has been made earlier by the Housing Bureau to provide accommodation support to those affected residents moving into transitional housing or HKHS projects. In other words, if needed, the affected residents can stay for a longer period of time. The Government will continue to support the affected residents in terms of accommodation, and the residents in need do not have to worry about the relevant rental expenses or the duration of stay.
In addition, staff from the operating organisations of transitional housing and HKHS, as well as volunteers have been working around the clock to furnish the units with essential supplies. Taking Eminence Tower in Hung Shui Kiu as an example, each unit is equipped, upon move-in, with furniture and appliances such as bed frames, mattresses, pillows, cooking stoves and water heaters. Daily necessities including toilet paper, slippers and basic cleaning supplies, etc. are also provided. Such efforts are intended to help the affected residents settle in as quickly as possible.
At the same time, a number of organisations have proactively stationed their staff in some projects to provide residents in need with various forms of support, including free medical and legal consultation services. The Government has also set up service stations in 18 projects where more residents have moved in, providing consultation and support services for residents in need, standing together with them.
Relief supplies and donations
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The supplies donation online platform, established by the Government and the information technology sector, continues to operate, facilitating the registration of supplies donations from organisations and the public. The Government has so far received over 1 800 registrations, of which approximately 30 per cent were submitted by organisations, whereas the others were contributed by the public. The various registered donation items include food and beverages, clothing, daily necessities, bedding, and electrical appliances. The Government is actively assessing residents' actual needs through the relevant policy bureau, government departments, and service organisations for the matching of donated supplies in order to distribute appropriate items in phases to places in need. So far, about 19 600 donation items covering various categories have been distributed to different places. The matching and distribution of supplies will continue.
Regulation and inspection work
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The Housing Department today continued to remove the burnt scaffolding on the external walls of Wang Cheong House, Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House. As the environment at scene is narrow and the scaffolding and the protective nets of individual buildings may be subject to more serious damage, for the sake of safety, the Housing Department will conduct assessments with the Police on the timetable of removing the scaffolding of the remaining four affected buildings. In addition, the Independent Checking Unit of the Housing Bureau has also completed the extraction of concrete core samples from the seven affected buildings at Wang Fuk Court today.
The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced on December 11 a new mechanism for sampling and testing scaffold nets for external walls in Hong Kong. The Buildings Department is preparing for the issuance of a new practice note to registered contractors and will meet with the industry next week. The DEVB is moving ahead in full steam the supporting arrangements to ensure that there are sufficient designated laboratories and a suitable site for off-site sampling work.
Source: AI-found images
