Done deal: Chief Secretary Henry Tang (third left) and guests of the Tamar Development Project contract-signing ceremony view the design model.

The Tamar Development Project will become a new landmark in a prime location next to Victoria Harbour and represent Hong Kong as a multi-faceted, inclusive metropolitan and maturing civic society.

This was the message from Chief Secretary Henry Tang at the project's contract-signing ceremony today, noting the complex will be one of the Government's greenest facilities.

"Tamar will be an asset shared by all Hong Kong people. Half of this precious land will be allocated as public open space," he said.

The project contains a large number of green features such as solar electricity panels, an automatic refuse-collection system, seawater-cooled chillers and green roofs. The open space amounts to two hectares and the north-south landscaped 'green carpet' will maximise public accessibility to the waterfront.

Landscaping measures including an extensive lawn, tree plantations, water basins and a lily pond will also be featured. A civic piazza, sculpture court and amphitheatre will provide venues for different activities.

The Government issued a letter of acceptance to the Gammon-Hip Hing Joint Venture on January 9 for the $4.94 billion contract which covers the design and construction of the Central Government Complex, Legislative Council Complex, open space, two covered footbridges and other ancillary facilities.

Construction is due to begin in mid-February for completion in 2011. It will engage more than 3,000 workers.