For discussion FCR(96-97)70
on 15 November 1996

ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND HEAD 708 - CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS AND MAJOR SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Royal Observatory
New Subhead "Weather radar system at Tai Mo Shan"

Members are invited to approve a new commitment of $27.7 million for Director of the Royal Observatory to acquire a replacement weather radar system.

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PROBLEM
PROPOSAL
JUSTIFICATION
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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PROBLEM

One of the weather radar systems at Tate’s Cairn will become obsolete by 1998.

PROPOSAL

2. We propose to allocate $27.7 million to Director of the Royal Observatory (D of RO) for the installation of a new weather radar system at Tai Mo Shan in place of the digital radar system at Tate’s Cairn.

JUSTIFICATION

3. Weather radars assist the Royal Observatory (RO) to provide weather warning services in respect of tropical cyclones, rainstorms, thunderstorms, floods and landslides. The RO installed two weather radars, both at Tate’s Cairn in 1983 and 1994, respectively. They transmit weather data to the Central Forecasting Office at the RO Headquarters and the Airport Meteorological Office. Having two radars ensures that radar pictures are always available for weather forecasts should one be out of service for scheduled maintenance.

4. The weather radar installed in 1983 is becoming obsolete after 13 years of service. Suppliers no longer produce the spare parts, which are likely be out of stock by 1998. We need to replace it with a new weather radar before it goes out of service to ensure that the RO’s weather warning services will remain reliable and effective.

5. The RO has taken the opportunity to review the present arrangement of having two weather radars side by side at Tate’s Cairn as experience has shown that Tai Mo Shan blocks the view to the northwest and the radars may not detect rainstorms approaching from that direction. To overcome this problem, the D of RO proposes to install the replacement radar at Tai Mo Shan, instead of at Tate’s Cairn.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

6. D of RO estimates that the proposed weather radar system will cost $27.7 million, made up as follows -

7. As regards paragraph 6(a)(i), the cost covers a microwave weather radar comprising antenna, protective dome, radar transmitter and receiver, and remote monitoring and control facilities.

8. As regards paragraph 6(a)(ii), the cost covers computer hardware and software required for processing, display and archiving of data, as well as facilities for communication between Tai Mo Shan, the RO Headquarters and the Airport Meteorological Office.

9. As regards paragraph 6(a)(iii), the cost covers services in respect of installation, testing, commissioning, documentation and training.

10. As regards paragraph 6(b), the cost covers the initial stock of spares and consumables for the proposed radar system.

11. As regards paragraph 6(c), the cost covers dismantling and disposal of the old weather radar and civil works to make good the affected sites at Tate’s Cairn, the RO Headquarters and the Airport Meteorological Office.

12. As regards paragraph 6(d), the 5% contingency is to allow for unforeseen expenditure which might arise from variations in operational requirements and in site conditions.

13. D of RO estimates that there will be no additional staffing implications arising from the proposal. However, he would require additional recurrent expenditure of $550,000 a year to cover the higher maintenance and operation cost of the equipment.

14. The estimated cash flow is as follows -

15. If Members approve the proposal, we shall include the necessary provision in the Estimates.

16. D of RO provides free public weather services. The proposal would have no impact on fees and charges for services provided by the RO.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

17. The civil works for the radar station at Tai Mo Shan is a Public Works Project (Project code 147GK). At the Finance Committee meeting on 19 July 1996, Members approved the upgrading of the civil works for the radar station at Tai Mo Shan to Category A. We informed Members then that we would seek approval of funding in due course for the weather radar equipment for the station at an estimated cost of $28 million and for the recurrent expenditure of $0.55 million.

Economic Services Branch
November 1996

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