1 Private-public deals eyed for new towns
Una So, The Standard 27 February 2008

The government hopes to promote private-public partnerships in an innovative attempt to develop the northeastern New Territories, the Development Bureau said yesterday.

It is focusing on two new development areas, one under the "Three-in-One" plan comprising Kwu Tung North, Fan Ling North and Ping Che/ Ta Kwu Ling, and the other at Hung Shui Kiu.

A planning and engineering study will begin as soon as the Legislative Council Finance Committee approves the study budget of HK$50.8 million.

In the government's "2030 Study" report, the new development areas will have a population of 350,000.

The study is expected to be completed in 30 months.

Since the sites consist mainly of privately-owned land amid scattered villages and squatters, development chief Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said land resumption was not suitable as this could lead to disputes and judicial challenges.

Private-public partnership, however, could work, Lam said.

The last such study was conducted in 2003 and a new study is needed since there have been vast changes in the economy, the public's aspiration for a better living environment, and awareness of heritage conservation.

While praising the initiative, lawmakers were concerned about the transparency in the partnerships since there is no current mechanism to monitor such operations.

Tin Shui Wai was cited by legislators as an example of a new town failure as the lack of planning caused massive social problems.

Lam vowed to learn from this failure and said future new towns with a population of 350,000 or more will not suffer from such planning mistakes.

The study will look into the low-density development at the sites with a mix of public and private housing.

It will also consider supporting community facilities, provide employment opportunities within the remote areas and transportation links to other areas.

These issues were not addressed in Tin Shui Wai until a series of cases involving family violence caught the attention of the public.

Lam said planning for the new towns would incorporate green strategies such as energy-saving and waste-recycling measures.

A heritage and ecological conservation study will also be commenced to identify areas to be protected.

A three-stage public consultation will take place during the study.

The two new projects, which will take 12 to 13 years to develop, were highlighted in last February's policy address as urgent means to provide housing to meet future needs.