21 December 2004

Dear Engineers

Results of the survey on Fellow Engineers' view on:
(1)  Joint actions to press the government for more infrastructure and building works
(2)  West Kowloon Cultural District Development (WKCD)

An E-mail was sent to several thousand fellow engineers on 19 November 2004 seeking their views on the above 2 subjects. Fellow engineers were asked to send in their responses by 11 December 2004 . Sadly only 47 responses were received even one week after the deadline.

The extremely low response rate is particularly disappointing, despite engineers' interests are at stake in the both issues. The dearth of comments from engineers on the WKCD also contrasted with the fact that there has been a community-wide debate on the project. With the majority of engineers did not express their opinions on both issues, it is obviously to me that the survey results should not be taken a reliable reference. Nevertheless, I have prepared a table summarising the views collected from engineers (see appendix) for your information:

(1)   Joint actions to press the government for more infrastructure and building works

Out of the 47 responses, 19 engineers indicated their support to take to the streets while 13 expressed disagreement or reservation on the action. Coupling with the low response rate, the divergence of engineers' view on the issue failed to provide me with a strong backing to convince the Coalition on Infrastructure to adopt my proposal on taking to the streets to press the government for more infrastructure and building works. The Coalition, being formed to press the government for more public works projects, comprises representatives from construction related professional institutes, trade bodies, labour union and government professional staff associations.

Recently, the Working Group of the Coalition has decided that, as a first step, a letter would be submitted to the Chief Executive demanding for more infrastructure and building works. In order to maximise its impact, the letter is to be jointly signed by as many practitioners of construction industry as possible. If the letter fails to win more public works, more drastic actions will be considered.

(2)   West Kowloon Cultural District Development (WKCD)

The views on the subject vary widely and the survey results are inconclusive too. But a number of engineers expressed their wish to see the early implementation of the project to create more jobs for our profession.

Despite my disappointment to the low response of fellow engineers to my survey this time, I will not let this discourage me from conducting future surveys on important issues pertaining to the interests of engineers and our profession. For your own benefit and the interest of fellow engineers, please tell me your views and allow me to speak for you.

Yours

　　(signed)
Ir Dr Raymond Ho Chung-tai

Encl.

Appendix

Survey results on fellow Engineers' views on the following issues:

Tallies

1. Joint actions to press the government for infrastructure and building works

•  Express agreement to take to the streets

19

•  Express disagreement or reservation to take to the streets

13

 

Other suggested actions:

•  Organise press conference, write to the government and propose motions in LegCo etc

3

•  Organise a large conference or forum to debate on the infrastructure projects and building works and to forward proposals to the government

2

•  Submit to the government a list of viable projects supported by their potential benefits to society

1

 

2. West Kowloon Cultural District Development (WKCD)

 
Preferred approach to the WKCD

•  Support the present approach to the WKCD adopted by the government

4

•  The property development portion should be separated and be subject to land sale under auction

2

•  Express objection or reservation to the proposal

7

•  Express disagreement on developing the whole area with one single developer

4

•  The HKSAR Government rather than any other developer in Hong Kong or overseas is in a better position to be the project manager/developer of this project

1

•  Split the project into small projects so that more engineers and workers can benefit

4

•  Scale down the project

1

 

Design of the canopy

•  If the government consider that building of canopy would benefit to Hong Kong , it can be constructed under a “design and build” arrangement

1

•  Object to or express reservation on the adoption of the canopy

3

•  Other design other than the canopy should be considered too

1

   

Selection Process

 

•  A comprehensive study including public consultation must be conducted

1

•  Longer consultation period

5

•  Fairness and openness are the two main things in the selection process

1

•  Consensus of Hong Kong people should be gathered for the plan

1

•  Set up independent working group to vet government procedures for selecting a successful private sector proposal

2

•  Selection panel should include professionals and independent parties

2

 
Other issues or suggestions

•  Query on whether the 3 shortlisted proposals have actually met the plot ratio requirement set by the government in its invitation for proposal submission

2

•  Turn the area into a “casino complex” to attract more investments and tourists, creating “much needed” revenue for the government and job opportunities

1

•  To make full use of the free private market force to reduce unemployment

1

•  More trees should be planted in the site

1

 

3. Other related points brought up by engineers responded to the survey:

Substantial cut in engineers' pay or fee in the past few years

1

Difficult for people in engineering profession to run a profitable business now

1

The latest market setback definitely will hinder Hong Kong to maintain its good engineering status to compete with international market

1

Express support to build a casino complex on Lantau Island

1

Concern about the poor air quality affecting Hong Kong

1

Construction of Route 10 should be reconsidered by the government

1

Remark:

A total of 47 responses received (excluding 5 duplicate responses).