Legco Subcommittee approves Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter expansion works

The Legislative Council's Public Works Subcommittee approved expansion works for the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, with the project involving approximately 2 billion dollars.

The plan is set to be further reviewed by the Legco Finance Committee.

Amid the government's increasing efforts to drive the city's yacht economy, suggestions were earlier raised to expand the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter on Hong Kong Island.

Under the current expansion plan, the typhoon shelter will be expanded by 24 hectares to meet the increasing demand for berths.

While another two breakwaters and wave protection walls will be constructed to deal with harsh weather conditions.

The infrastructure upgrade also aims to provide a public disembarkment point as well as leisure facilities.

Authorities are planning to complete the project within four and a half years.

This as the expansion works proposal was subject to a review by the Legislative Council's Public Works Subcommittee.

In Monaco, Italy and Barcelona, there are similar facilities and they are famous.And in these countries, I see holistic planning.

It's not just increasing berthing space.

If the Ocean Park situation does not improve, then it will be an eyesore to have this facility next to the berthing area.

When it comes to the yacht economy, we should not just develop berthing facilities.

We also need onshore facilities in support of the idea.An integrated development approach would be undertaken.That means there will be private residential development.

Recalling the heavy damage caused by Typhoon Ragasa to seaside areas last year, some lawmakers raised concerns about the ability of the expansion works' design to sustain the effects of extreme weather.

With the experience of Typhoon Ragasa, you are proposing an 80-metre wave wall.

Are you going to do a test on the model to make sure it will be resilient against the super typhoon?

We have incorporated data that we collected during super typhoons previously.We also adopted a 3D model to do the testing.

So, the current proposed design of the breakwaters will be able to cope with high greenhouse gas emissions.