GEORGE TOWN, September 5 – The Gurney Bay Development Project, under the stewardship of the State Government, has been making substantial strides since its commencement on January 1, 2021. It is worth noting that seven Project Consultants were appointed to oversee this significant endeavor. A pivotal moment arrived on March 29, 2022, when Teto Engineering Sdn Bhd took up the mantle of the Main Contractor for this ambitious project. This extensive project encompasses the Gurney Wharf Project, which spans a vast 115.35-acre area, featuring two water bodies.
The development plan unfolds in two distinct phases, each contributing to the creation of a dynamic waterfront destination. As of September 1, 2023, Priority 1 of the project has achieved an impressive progress rate of 96.15%, albeit with a slight 30-day delay. The contractor’s projections indicate that Priority 1 works will conclude by September 30, 2023, with plans for public access by year-end. However, this timeline remains subject to thorough evaluation and recommendations from the Public Works Department (JKR) and Project Consultants to ensure user safety.
One remarkable aspect of the Gurney Bay project is its strong commitment to green spaces and water parks, constituting a substantial 70% of the total development area, equivalent to 70.81 acres. Priority 1, spanning 27.53 acres, is projected to reach completion by September 30, 2023. Key components within Priority 1 have made significant progress, with completion percentages as follows: the Playground at 97%, the Skatepark at 100%, Open Carparks at 100%, South Vantage Point at 99%, Toilet Facilities at 86%, and Kiosks at 93%. Gurney Bay aims to host a grand total of 4,541 trees, with 1,500 to be planted during Phase 1 and the remaining 3,041 in Priority 2.
To date, 310 trees have already been planted within Priority 1. Additionally, ambitious plans call for the planting of 10,000 shrubs to adorn an area of 4,815 square meters in Priority 1 and 16,130 square meters in Priority 2. Priority 2 covers an extensive 87.82 acres with a development timeframe of 30 months, expected to culminate in the Fourth Quarter of 2024. This phase introduces an array of elements, including a Hawker Centre, Multilevel Carpark, North Vantage Point, Toilet Facilities, Water Taxi Jetty, Government Reserve (comprising water bodies spanning 14.86 acres), Beach and Broadwalk, Water Garden, Open Carpark, and Storm Water Channel.
The effective execution of this monumental project hinges on the expertise of four Nominated Sub Contractors (NSC) in various domains. Within the Gurney Wharf project, two significant water bodies, Water Body A (6.95 acres) and Water Body B (7.91 acres), take center stage. While the appointment of an NSC for Water Body B embankment works has already been completed by the Public Works Department (JKR), a tender will soon be advertised for the selection of a contractor for Water Body A embankment works. The comprehensive facilities planned for Gurney Bay encompass parking lots, including 800 spaces (64 in Priority 1 and 736 in Priority 2).
12 bus parking lots (located in Priority 2), 238 motorcycle parking spaces (62 in Priority 1 and 176 in Priority 2), 134 stalls allocated for F&B, 17 stalls for retail, 6 convenient kiosks, 1 religious space (Surau), and 9 well-distributed toilet facilities. The Gurney Bay Development Project continues to make steady progress towards full completion, with the aim of transforming the waterfront into a lush, vibrant, and accessible destination for the public to enjoy.
