GEORGE TOWN – Layout plans for the reclaimed land at Gurney Wharf that links to the undersea tunnel have been firmed up, while the design for the amenities there will begin.
Today, seven consulting agencies signed an agreement in Komtar here to mark the beginning of the area’s design work.
The reclamation work on some 53.05ha of Gurney Drive’s foreshore and government reserve land has been completed since September 2019, with around 36.46ha handed over to the state government in May this year.
More of the reclaimed land will be surrendered in stages as it needs time to settle.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today said a road reserve is put in the plan to make way for the undersea tunnel.
“There is no plan to call off the undersea tunnel, so the reserve is very necessary. If the reserve is not put in place when the tunnel is built, how do we connect Penang to the tunnel?
“If it is to join the tunnel, it will be a road. The Pan Island Link (PIL) by SRS Consortium will also connect on the left of the completed wharf. It will be at the end of the PIL. There will also be a bridge connected to Seri Tanjung Pinang (STP) Phase 2A,” he said.
Of the reclaimed land, some 16.19ha is allocated for Gurney Wharf and the rest will be developed to fund the future highways and the PIL.
“Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd was appointed by the state government as the project management office to help us implement the Gurney Wharf project.”
The seven consultants are GDP Architects Sdn Bhd (project manager), Carnson Design and Associates Sdn Bhd (landscape architect), Jurutera TSSC Lim Sdn Bhd (civil and structural engineer), Jurutera Perunding Valdun Sdn Bhd (mechanical and electric engineer), Ukur Bahan Consult (material surveyor), Dr Nik & Associates Sdn Bhd (coastal marine and embankment engineer) and Dr Nik & Associates Sdn Bhd (natural environment consultants, including natural surroundings auditor).
“The consultants will start work and from my understanding, after this stage is complete, a call for tender will take place to appoint contractors to start the components approved by the state government with the project management office.
“So, we target that construction work for the various components will take place in the second half of 2021.
“It is estimated to cost RM176 million, but the final figure can only be ascertained when the tender is called and when contractors make their bids. We hope that during this very competitive time of Covid-19, we will get competitive prices also, so the project costs can be reduced to achieve the best results.
“There was a delay in calling all the consultants due to travel restrictions. They will be spending a few months designing what is needed before the tender.
Meanwhile the STP project, approved back in 1992 by the state government, has seen its reclamation works being abandoned twice before E&O Bhd came on board to revive it in 2003.
In the most recent agreement in 2016, a total of 77.35ha will be reclaimed and surrendered to the Penang government, includes the 53.05ha at Gurney Drive.
“Drawing inspiration from the world’s public spaces, we aspire to create a spacious, waterfront public park-in-the-city that is international in standard yet Penang in spirit.
“Furthermore, this will showcase a project that incorporates all the sustainable development goals introduced by UN-Habitat. To implement more projects on green and environment initiative, the state has applied for the Climate Adaptation Fund from UN-Habitat,” Chow said.
State housing, local government, and urban and country planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the Penang government had sought public consultation and unveiled the Gurney Wharf concept to the public.
He added that the consultation process gathered that 96% of Penangites were supportive of this project, the 4% agreed to it but requested for improvements in certain areas.
Gurney Wharf is a seafront public park and hawker centre planned for the Gurney Drive foreshore. If all goes according to plan, physical work will start in the second quarter of 2021 with completion expected for December 2023.
“The first set of components include landscaping of the public park, a promenade and a skate park, kiosk, public toilets, sundry shops, viewing decks, drainage systems, wetlands, footpaths on grades, open carpark and handicap facilities.
“The second set of components to be added on later by the state government will include food courts/hawker centres, retail areas, F&B areas, water taxi facilities together with the reclamation of two additional water bodies,” Jagdeep said.
He added that the wharf will be completed within 48 months (36 months for construction and 12 months for defect liability period), by December 31, 2024.
Members of the public will be able to enjoy the full facilities by December 31, 2023. – The Vibes, December 21, 2020
