Chow lauds benefits of proposed island reclamation

Gurney Wharf reclamation project taking up shape along the coast of Gurney Drive and Tanjung Tokong. Starpic by LIM BENG TATT/The Star/16 Jan 2020.

ANY reclamation project in the state will be done above the highest possible water level, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He said the state was looking at the rising seawater.

“In a way, the projects will be climate-resilient.

“The reclaimed land will not be bare.

“There will be smart and green facilities including a 15km waterfront, bicycle lanes and parks. All these will be added in.

“So you cannot just look at the reclamation.

“Yes, the impact needs to be mitigated but the important thing is also the product of the reclamation.

“We are incorporating green and smart developments into the project, ” he said after attending Penang Development Corporation’s Chinese New Year celebration in Bayan Lepas.

Earlier, it was reported that under the Penang South Islands project, the state was proposing to reclaim 1,821ha of the sea to create three islands south of Penang International Airport towards the east around Permatang Damar Laut.

The aim is to create a land bank to fund the Penang Transport Master Plan.

Another project is the Gurney Wharf reclamation project which is touted as the state’s seafront park-in-the-city project.

It is expected to be completed in 2021 at a cost of RM180mil.

It was reported that the Gurney Wharf project would house a food court, restaurants, promenade, wetlands and beaches.

There will also be a children’s playground, skate park and water taxi pier.