GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is in the process of appointing consultant for landscapping works for the Gurney Wharf project, touted as the state's first reclaimed waterfront.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the appointment of the consultant was expected to be completed by next month.
He said thereafte, the state would begin calling for tenders for the various components of the Gurney Wharf project.
Chow said of the 52.4ha reclaimed along the Gurney Drive foreshore, only a little more than 16ha would be used for a public park.
"The remaining will be used for other purposes, including the building of roads, among others.
"So, once the appointment of consultant is completed in October, we will be calling for tenders for the numerous packages such as the planting of trees and the construction of a waterfront. All these will be done by early next year," he said here today.
He was met after witnessing a joint venture agreement between MTT Group of Companies, through its subsidiary Botanica Hills Sdn Bhd, and Eden-On-The-Park Sdn Bhd to develop the first integrated senior living resort in Balik Pulau.
Present was state Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
It was initially reported that work would begin early next year on several components of the Gurney Wharf project such as a promenade, park, skating rink, children's playground and a man-made beach.
However, the project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reclamation works along the Gurney Drive foreshore, which started in 2016, was completed in December last year by Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of property developer Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O).
Of the 52.4ha to be surrendered to the state government, it was reported that about 24ha would be for various public amenities.
However, the state government had agreed to reclaim another two water bodies at the site, about 5.8ha, which would also be surrendered to the state government.
Gurney Wharf, a new seafront public park, is a state government initiative, with its conceptual master plan by Grant Associates, an internationally-renowned consultant architect firm.
Grant Associates has been involved in various international projects including in the United Kingdom, such as the The Hive, Bristol Harbour Site and Cambridge Accordia, and also Singapore's Gardens by the Bay.
In the subsequent phases, there will also be a wetland, food and beverage outlets, retail outlets and a water taxi pier, all lining the 24ha site.