Public cash ruled out for any Pak Shek Kok overruns

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said on Saturday that public funds would not be needed to cover any gap resulting from the construction of Pak Shek Kok MTR station going over budget.

She made the comment after authorities this week unveiled a revised development plan for the railway station, projecting its commissioning by 2033.

Instead of its intended location at the Education University's Sports Centre, the two-storey station will be set closer to Science Park and Chinese University.

Speaking on an RTHK programme, Linn pointed to two land parcels granted to the MTR Corporation for private housing development to back her assertion that public funds would not be needed to cover budget overruns.

"Under the rail and property development mode, we conduct a thorough assessment and secure sufficient land before a project begins," she said.

"By the time we sign the project agreement, everyone has already reached some basic agreement in principle for the land price.

"So when the land title is issued, financing discussions will be concluded, and no support will any longer be required from the government even if any change arises thereafter."

When asked whether her bureau has estimated an overall price tag for the project, Linn said this would have to wait until the MTR submits a comprehensive construction plan for the station.

Making estimations at this stage, she said, would not be conducive to further discussions with the corporation.

Edited by Robert Kemp ...