Submission of
The Conservancy Association
to
Legco Panel on Planning, Lands and Works

23 January 2007
 

Planning arrangements for the existing Queen's Pier

and the relics of the former Star Ferry Pier in Central
 
  1. Since 1999, the Conservancy Association (CA) has been submitting our views to Government’s planning consultation regarding the reclamation in Central as well as a temporary road cutting through the Edinburgh Place. CA has been upholding a strong opinion that the two piers together with the Edinburgh Place and City Hall are an integral part of public space which should be enjoyed by the people and it is not acceptable to destroy the setting of the two piers, the city hall and the Edinburgh Place.
  2. CA regrets the Government tearing down the former Star Ferry Pier, especially the clock tower.  CA still maintains the view that even with the Central Reclamation Phase III works, the demolition of the former Star Ferry Pier, the existing Queen’s Pier is avoidable. The three engineering reasons for the demolition the two piers cannot stand challenge. CA made a practical proposal to preserve the two piers with little alterations to the Government’s reclamation works. Unfortunately, Government did not respond to our proposal.
  3. Now, Government has demolished the Start Ferry Pier including the clock tower, although a large part of the clock has been kept. Although Government has promised to re-instate the clock tower when suitable location is identified, we regret that the old tower has been crushed to pieces unnecessarily and in secret, while it was perfectly feasible to have kept it.  Now Government is pressing ahead with demolition of the Queen’s Pier.
  4. At this juncture, CA still maintains our view that it is feasible to leave Queen’s Pier intact as stated in our previous proposal submitted to Legislative Council.  It is not too late for Government to decide to save Queen’s Pier.  However, if Government insists on pressing ahead with the reclamation contract, we would like to make an additional practical proposal .
  5. CA considers it possible to temporarily move Queen’s Pier aside to make way for the reclamation works and then re-instate the Pier structure at the same location.  CA considers that all the featured super-structure including the rooftop, landing steps, signs, seats and pots of the Queen’s Pier can be removed intact with good care. CA proposes Government to take the following procedure:

a)                  remove all the small items of the pier and keep them intact in safe storage;

b)                  construct a steel structure with rollers to support the rooftop of the pier;

c)                  cut the columns of the piers (we believe that the columns can be re-fabricated with the same concrete and plaster later when the pier is reinstated) and load the entire rooftop onto the steel frame;

d)                  roll the rooftop to either the Edinburgh Place or the newly reclaimed land;

e)                  proceed with the reclamation work; and

f)                    reinstate the Queen’s Pier to its original location when reclamation and compaction works are completed.

  1. The restated Queen’s Pier together with the Edinburgh Place should maintain as an activity space for the public so that the entire square should be free of vehicular movements except for emergency vehicular access (EVA). The Pier may then be used as open performance place or a tea place. With good design, CA believes that it will be as vibrant as today.  All the historical significance of Queen’s Pier, Edinburgh Place and City Hall will be maintained.
     
  2. Regarding the clock tower of the former Star Ferry, CA is of an opinion that it should be re-stated as close to the locality where it was as possible. Apart from the original location, we propose to that one possibility is to re-erect it on the rooftop of the city hall lower block.