Permanent Secretary for Development Doris Ho Pui-ling defended the massive price tag on Wednesday, saying the government had sought to keep construction costs down and invited tenderers to propose further money-saving measures.
She added that more details would be released at the next meeting of the Legislative Councilโs public works subcommittee next month, after a tender evaluation was completed.
โBy then, the government can present a more detailed proposal, including the external architectural design, the layout of facilities for public use and whether it is reasonable,โ Ho said.
At the centre of the controversy is the HK$9.96 billion project in Kwu Tung North and Fanling North. The initiative is part of the Northern Metropolis megaproject that aims to transform 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) into a major economic engine and housing hub.
The project includes a joint-user complex comprising a sports centre with a fencing hall, a community hall and shops, as well as a multipurpose building that will house government offices, a library and a kindergarten, among other facilities.