PHASE one of the Gurney Wharf project is expected to be completed soon and open to the public in July.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said phase one of the project is now almost 86% completed, with roads and lights already established.
The Gurney Wharf project, which started in 2016, is being built on reclaimed land off Gurney Drive.
“We will always respect and maintain Gurney Drive as an icon. The Gurney Wharf project is to make it even better.
“We will make sure that this particular area, which actually comprises 101.8 acres, will become a place for the people of Penang.
“We have two components in the Gurney Wharf project.
“July is the target to open Phase One of Gurney Wharf. We have reached 85.72% progress. And we will see 27.8 acres just on Phase One becoming green with several facilities, including a skate park, playground, vantage point, many kiosks and the promenade.
“Let me give you that commitment. To all Penangites, our green agenda is extremely important. We shall give that utmost priority and Gurney Wharf is going to be a green lung, a new icon of Penang come July,” Jagdeep said during a site visit this morning.
He said the Gurney Wharf project is in line with the Penang2030 vision to create a “Family-Focused, Green and Smart State to Inspire the Nation.”
Elaborating on this, Jagdeep said the public park would be an ideal place for families to enjoy together after a busy day and also a green place to be under the current hot and humid weather.
He said he would seek more budget for more trees to be planted to reduce the effects of the climate crisis.
Jagdeep also explained that although the land reclamation was completed before the pandemic, the project was delayed in some ways as the pandemic had an impact on all projects where material supply was concerned.
Phase Two of the project, which is termed Priority Two, will feature additional landscaping areas, more recreational parks, a hawker centre, a viewing deck (north vantage point), public toilets, more traders’ kiosks, multi-storey car parks, open space car parks, a beach area and boardwalk, water garden and the drainage system.
The whole project is expected to be completed in 2025.
Also, present at the site visit were newly appointed MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) deputy general manager Datin S. Bharathi, and JKR civil engineer Goh Kiet Rhee.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of YB Jagdeep Singh’s office