THE Penang government aims to complete the first phase of RM176million Gurney Wharf project by the first half of 2022.
State Housing, Local Government, Country, Town and Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he would like to see the project completed in first half of next year before opening it to the public.
“The first phase of the public park is scheduled to be ready in a year’s time while the open tender is expected to be called by second half of this year.
“The reclamation work for the public park project involves a land of 131 acres
with an estimated 50 acres allocated for the Gurney Wharf project.
“To be frank, I am absolutely happy to stand here today as we are now at the ‘advanced stage’ of the project.
“On a feedback from Penangites during a public survey that was carried out previously, 96% of the people are in favour of Gurney Wharf’s establishment.
“Hence, this is a project that will be delivered to Penangites in the shortest period of time,” he told reporters after conducting a site visit to Gurney Wharf this morning.
The Gurney Wharf project is a seafront public park that is located on part of the 131.09 acres of reclaimed land, off Gurney Drive.
Out of the 131 acres of land, about 50 acres are meant for the public amenities.
The first phase of the park project includes landscaping of the public park, a promenade, skate park, playing area, kiosks, public toilets, viewing decks, drainage systems, wetlands,
footpaths on grades, open car park and handicap facilities.
Jagdeep added that water taxi services from Gurney Wharf was also under the planning stage.
Reclamation works started in 2016 and were completed in September 2019 by the
Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn. Bhd. (TPD).
The state had appointed the Penang Chief Minister’s Incorporated (CMI) as the lead agency to lead and implement the project.
Also present was CMI deputy general manager S. Bharati.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting