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these handy "jump links" to quickly access the news item
you're
looking for. 1.
New Lok Ma Chau - Huanggang Boundary Bridge proposed
2.
Draft Ngong Ping Outline Zoning Plan approved 3.
Draft Clear Water Bay Peninsula North DPA Plan approved
4.
Draft North Point Outline Zoning Plan approved 5.
Draft Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South OZP approved
6.
Draft Ping Shan Outline Zoning Plan approved 7.
Yau Ma Tei Outline Zoning Plan approved 8.
Fixed pontoon system to be built in Sai Kung 9.
Draft Tung Chung Town Centre Area Outline Zoning Plan
approved 10.
Buildings Ordinance to be amended 11.
Test runs of West Rail
1. New Lok Ma Chau - Huanggang Boundary Bridge proposed
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Government proposes to construct a new dual 2-lane boundary bridge beside the
existing Lok Ma Chau boundary bridge to meet the growth in the cross boundary
traffic between Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang. A
spokesman for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said that the Administration
aimed to commence construction works in the last quarter of 2003 and would endeavour
to complete the works by end 2004. A
Notice on the proposed works for the new boundary bridge has been published in
the Government Gazette today (April 11). The
plans and scheme showing the proposed works can be inspected at the Yuen Long
District Lands Office and the Public Enquiry Service Centres of Yuen Long District
Office and Central and Western District Office. Any
person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address
his objection in writing to the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works,
16th Floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong not later than June 10, 2003
describing his interest and the manner in which he alleges he will be affected
by the works or the use.
2. Draft Ngong Ping Outline Zoning Plan approved
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Ngong Ping Outline Zoning Plan
(OZP). "The
approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development
and redevelopment in Ngong Ping," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board
said today (April 11). The
Planning Scheme Area of the approved OZP covers a total area of about 102 hectares.
The OZP was prepared with the intention of preserving the natural landscape and
religious heritage of Ngong Ping while enhancing its potential as a key tourist
destination. The design concept therefore aims to maintain the unique ambience
of Ngong Ping and preserve its low-rise, low-density rural character and to enhance
visitors' experience of the area. Existing
key attractions such as the Tian Tan Buddha Statue and Po Lin Monastery form the
main building blocks of the design concept. They will be complemented by a larger,
vehicle-free public square/piazza, which will be connected to a tourist corridor
leading from the cable car terminal in the northwest and the public transport
terminal in the west. About
80% of the total area is zoned "Conservation Area", "Green Belt"
and "Site of Special Scientific Interest" to conserve the natural environment
and the ecologically sensitive habitats. The three zones take up about 57.8ha,
10.3ha and 14ha respectively. Some
6.4ha of land, including the Tian Tan Buddha Statue and Po Lin Monastery, is zoned
"Government, Institution or Community". About
1.9ha of land in front of Po Lin Monastery is zoned "Open Space" to
provide a vehicle-free public square to enhance the visitor experience, serve
as a focus for activities and improve the connection between different places
of interests. The
Tea Garden Restaurant site and the adjoining disused paddock with an area of about
1.3ha are zoned "Recreation". A
site of 0.2ha and another one of 1.3ha are zoned "Other Specified Uses"
for the development of a cable car terminal and a tourist corridor which will
form the main pedestrian route bringing visitors from the cable car or public
transport terminals to the Buddha Statue and Po Lin Monastery. Another site of
2.2ha is also zoned "Other Specified Uses" for a proposed sewage treatment
plant and an amenity area. Some
4.7ha of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to demarcate the area
for Ngong Ping Village. In addition, a small area of 0.2ha is zoned "Residential
(Group C)" for an existing villa development behind Po Lin Monastery. The
approved OZP No S/I-NP/2 is now available for public inspection during office
hours at the following locations: *
Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices,
333 Java Road; *
Lantau and Islands District Planning Office, Planning Department, 15/F, Sha Tin
Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road; *
Islands District Office, 20/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central; *
Islands District Office, Mui Wo Sub-office, G/F, Mui Wo Government Offices, 2
Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Lantau Island; and *
Tai O Rural Committee, 29 Market Street, Tai O, Lantau Island. Copies
of the approved plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in
Yau Ma Tei and North Point. Its electronic version can be viewed on the Town Planning
Board's website, www.info.gov.hk/tpb.
3. Draft Clear Water Bay Peninsula North DPA Plan approved
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Clear Water Bay Peninsula North
Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan. "The
approved DPA Plan provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the
development and redevelopment in the Clear Water Bay Peninsula North area,"
a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (April 11). The
Planning Scheme Area of the approved plan, covering an area of about 498 hectares,
overlooks Ngau Mei Hoi (Port Shelter) and commands a prominent location in the
south-eastern part of Sai Kung. It is generally bounded by Tseung Kwan O New Town
in the west, Ngau Mei Hoi in the east, wooded hillslope in the north, and Clear
Water Bay Country Park and Sheung Sze Wan in the south. It comprises large tracts
of natural woodland and long stretches of unspoilt coastlines, and is a popular
recreational outlet. The
approved plan designates about 14.5 hectares of land as "Comprehensive Development
Area" to guide a proposed residential development scheme to the immediate
east of Tai Po Tsai Village and the redevelopment of Shaw Brothers' Studio site.
Some 37.1 hectares
of land is zoned "Residential (Group C)" to cover mainly the existing
low-rise and low-density residential developments in the area. Another
39.5 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to cover the
existing villages at Tai Po Tsai, Mang Kung Uk, Pan Long Wan, Sheung Yeung and
Pik Shui Sun Tsuen. The
two existing retail outlets near the car park of Silverstrand Beach and at the
junction of Clear Water Bay Road and Silver Cape Road are zoned "Commercial"
taking up about 0.3 hectare of land. An
existing petrol filling station near the Shaw Brothers' Studio site is zoned "Other
Specified Uses" annotated "Petrol Filling Station" covering about
0.2 hectare of land. About
67 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community"
("G/IC") to demarcate existing and reserved sites for G/IC facilities
which serve the territorial educational needs as well as various local and visitors'
needs. About
1.5 hectare of land is zoned "Open Space" to cover the Silverstrand
Beach and other existing and proposed open spaces. About
45.3 hectares of land at the hillslopes of Sheung Yeung Shan, which is part of
the gazetted Clear Water Bay Country Park, is zoned "Country Park".
A significant
part of the area covered by undisturbed woodland and natural hillslopes is zoned
"Conservation Area" taking up about 216.9 hectares of land. Majority
of the eastern fringe of the area endowed with long stretch of natural coastlines
is zoned "Coastal Protection Area" covering about 22.4 hectares of land.
Another 35.4 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt" to define the limit
of development and provide for passive recreational outlet. The
approved DPA Plan No. DPA/SK-CWBN/2 is now available for public inspection during
office hours at the following locations: *
Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices,
333 Java Road; *
Sai Kung District Planning Office, 14/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung
Wo Che Road; *
Sai Kung District Office, 2/F, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street;
and * Hang Hau
Rural Committee, 1 Hang Hau Road, Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung. Copies
of the approved plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in
Yau Ma Tei and North Point. Its electronic version is viewable from the Town Planning
Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
4. Draft North Point Outline Zoning Plan approved
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft North Point Outline Zoning Plan
(OZP). "The
approved OZP provides a statutory land use framework to guide development and
redevelopment in North Point," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said
today (April 11). The
Planning Scheme Area, covering about 274 hectares of land, is bounded by Hing
Fat Street/Gloucester Road/Wun Sha Street in the west, and Mansion Street/Java
Road/Hoi Yu Street in the east. Developments
in the area are mainly a mixture of commercial and residential uses which are
found on both sides of King's Road and Java Road. There is a blend of high-rise
residential and educational developments towards the mid-levels to the south of
Tin Hau Temple Road. Residential
developments of various densities are zoned "Residential (Group A)",
"Residential (Group B)" and "Residential (Group C)" taking
up about 35.1 hectares, 15.1 hectares and 0.8 hectare for high-density, medium-density
and low-density residential developments respectively. In
addition, five industrial buildings at King's Road and Tsat Tsz Mui Road are zoned
"Residential (Group E)" to encourage the phasing out of the existing
industrial uses. The zone covers about 0.4 hectare of land. About
19.3 hectares of land is zoned "Commercial/Residential" to cater for
mixed commercial and residential uses. This zone intends to reflect the general
character of the existing developments comprising a mixture of shops, restaurants,
banks, offices and residential developments. About 4.6 hectares of land is zoned
"Commercial" for commercial, retail and office developments. Four
sites near Oil Street covering a total of three hectares are zoned "Comprehensive
Development Area" to encourage comprehensive developments. A
number of sites covering a total of 29.7 hectares are zoned "Government,
Institution or Community" to serve the local and district needs. About
33.1 hectares of land is zoned "Open Space" to provide passive and active
recreational facilities for the local residents. Victoria Park and Choi Sai Woo
Park are the two largest open spaces in the area. Sites
allocated for various specific uses are zoned "Other Specified Uses"
taking up about 2.9 hectares of land. An area at the waterfront near Harbour Heights
is designated for "Cultural and/or Commercial, Leisure and Tourism Related
Uses" to encourage developments for cultural facilities, restaurants, retail
shops and other leisure and recreational uses. Well-wooded
hillslopes, which form a green backdrop to North Point, are zoned "Green
Belt" covering about 84.8 hectares of land. They are mainly Government land
generally not suitable for developments. However, passive recreational uses may
be provided at selected locations. The
approved North Point OZP No. S/H8/17 is now available for public inspection during
office hours at the following locations: *
Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices,
333 Java Road; *
Hong Kong District Planning Office, 14/F, North Point Government Offices; and
* Eastern District
Office, 11/F, Eastern Law Courts Buildings, 29 Tai On Street, Sai Wan Ho. Copies
of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map
Publications Centres in Yau Ma Tei and North Point. Its electronic version is
viewable from the Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
5. Draft Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South OZP approved
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South
Outline Zoning Plan (OZP). "The
approved OZP provides a statutory land use framework to guide development and
redevelopment in the Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South area," a spokesman
for the Town Planning Board said today (April 11). The
Planning Scheme Area, covering about 377 hectares of land, is bounded by Sha Tau
Kok Road to the north, Princess Hill to the north-east, Lung Shan to the south
and Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town to the west. The
primary planning intention of the area is to conserve the natural environment
and to protect the active agricultural land, especially those located at the Kwan
Tei and Ma Mei Ha areas. A
total of 77.8 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt" which consists
of mountainous areas at Po Kat Tsai, the Queen's Hill near Lau Shui Heung and
the dense vegetated areas to the north of Tong Hang. There is a general presumption
against development within the zone. The
active agricultural land and fallow arable land with good potential for rehabilitation
are zoned "Agriculture" covering about 145 hectares to retain and safeguard
them for agricultural purposes. An
area of about 11.2 hectares at Ma Liu Shui San Tsuen is zoned "Residential
(Group C)" to reflect the existing low-density residential development and
to upgrade the environment of this area by removing the non-compatible uses. In
addition, two sites covering 26.2 hectares are zoned "Comprehensive Development
Area" ("CDA"). The "CDA" site at the former Burma Lines
military site is planned for residential cum open space development while the
other "CDA" site adjoining Ma Liu Shui San Tsuen is zoned to facilitate
the redevelopment of an existing soy sauce factory. An
area near Tong Hang Village and a stretch of land along Lau Shui Heung Road are
zoned "Recreation" to improve the environmental quality of the area.
The zone covers 15.4 hectares. A
total of 79.3 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to
demarcate existing recognised villages and areas suitable for village expansion.
About 10.9 hectares
of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to serve the
needs of the local as well as district population. Sites allocated for specific
uses including Kowloon-Canton Railway, petrol filling station and amenity area
are zoned "Other Specified Uses", taking up about 3.4 hectares. The
approved Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South OZP No. S/NE-LYT/7 is now available
for public inspection during office hours at the following locations: *
Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices,
333 Java Road; *
Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, 13/F, Sha Tin Government Offices,
1 Sheung Wo Che Road; *
North District Office, 3/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road,
Fanling; and *
Fanling District Rural Committee, 3 Luen Fat Street, Luen Wo Hui, Fanling. Copies
of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map
Publications Centres in Yau Ma Tei and North Point. Its electronic version is
viewable from the Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
6. Draft Ping Shan Outline Zoning Plan approved
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Ping Shan Outline Zoning Plan
(OZP). "The
approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide future
development and redevelopment in Ping Shan," a spokesman for the Town Planning
Board said today (April 11). The
Ping Shan area, covering about 600 hectares, is located in the western part of
the Northwest New Territories. It is bounded by Tin Shui Wai New Town in the north,
Castle Peak Road in the south, Yuen Long New Town in the east and the Ha Tsuen/Castle
Peak Firing Range in the west. About
10.3 hectares is zoned Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) to provide opportunities
for improvement of the environment through comprehensive development/redevelopment
of the area. One CDA site is adjacent to the West Rail Tin Shui Wai Station while
the other three are located along the light rail transit line along Castle Peak
Road. To reflect
the planning intention of developing Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan South as the
district centre and local centre respectively, about 10.8 hectares is zoned Residential
(Group A) for higher density residential development with commercial facilities.
About 15.8 hectares
near Ping Shan San Tsuen and Hung Shui Kiu is zoned Residential (Group B) to cater
for suburban residential development up to a plot ratio ranging from 1 to 1.26.
About 18.3 hectares
in the east of San Lee Uk Tsuen and the south of Tin Sam is zoned Residential
(Group C) for low-density suburban residential development with a plot ratio restriction
of 0.4. About
4.5 hectares covering two areas at Yung Yuen Road and near the interchange junction
of Long Tin Road and Castle Peak Road is zoned Residential (Group E) to facilitate
the phasing out of existing rural industrial uses in favour of residential use.
The Village Type
Development zones of about 116.8 hectares mainly cover existing recognised villages
and their expansion area. About
53.5 hectares which would be affected by the West Rail project is zoned Undetermined
pending detailed studies on future uses. A
portion of rural area in Ping Shan is covered by open storage, godown and workshop
uses. About 9.9 hectares at Kiu Tau Wai is zoned Industrial to ensure an adequate
supply of industrial floor space. The Industrial (Group D) zone, covering about
12.2 hectares, serves to provide incentives for upgrading and improvement of existing
industrial uses. The Open Storage zone, covering about 19.3 hectares, is meant
to cater for future demand for open storage and to regularise the existing open
storage uses. About
14.3 hectares is zoned Government, Institution or Community to serve local and
district needs. About
7.5 hectares is zoned Open Space for active and passive recreational uses, while
about 37.2 hectares is zoned Recreation, for the development of recreation and
tourism. The
Green Belt and Conservation Area zones, covering slopes, isolated knolls, traditional
burial grounds and vegetated land, take up about 114 hectares and 112.4 hectares
respectively. The two zones are intended to define the limits of urban and suburban
development, and to preserve natural landscapes and topographical features in
the rural areas. The
approved Ping Shan OZP No. S/YL-PS/9 is now available for public inspection during
office hours at the following locations: *
Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices,
333 Java Road; *
Tuen Mun and Yuen Long District Planning Office, 14/F, Sha Tin Government Offices,
1 Sheung Wo Che Road; *
Yuen Long District Office, Yuen Long District Office Building, 269 Castle Peak
Road; and * Ping
Shan District Rural Committee, Lot 139 On Ning Road, Yuen Long. Copies
of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in
Yau Ma Tei and North Point. An electronic version can be seen on the Town Planning
Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
7. Yau Ma Tei Outline Zoning Plan approved
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Yau Ma Tei Outline Zoning Plan
(OZP). "The
approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development
and redevelopment in Yau Ma Tei," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board
said today (April 11). The
Planning Scheme Area, covering about 122 hectares of land, is located in West
Kowloon. About
6.8 hectares is zoned Commercial. This zone is restricted to a maximum plot ratio
of 12 and covers both sides of Nathan Road, which is the commercial spine of the
area. About 3.8
hectares is zoned Comprehensive Development Area (CDA). Part of the site of the
ex-British Military Hospital (BMH) at the junction of Princess Margaret Road and
Wylie Road is zoned CDA to ensure adequate planning control over the comprehensive
redevelopment of the site for low to medium-density residential use. Appropriate
development restrictions are imposed on the site as set out in the Notes of the
draft OZP. About
13.7 hectares is zoned Residential (Group A), generally covering an established
high-density residential area to the west of Nathan Road. About 3.8 hectares covering
mainly the medium-density residential development in the King's Park area is zoned
Residential (Group B). About
30.4 hectares is zoned Government, Institution or Community for provision of various
facilities to serve local and district needs. About
19.7 hectares is zoned Open Space to provide land for both active and passive
recreational uses. The existing grass pitches within the site of the ex-BMH are
retained for open space purposes. About
8.5 hectares of land is zoned Other Specific Uses, for uses including sports and
recreation clubs at Gascoigne Road and Wylie Road, and land for the Kowloon-Canton
Railway. About
2.2 hectares is zoned Green Belt to retain its natural state. The zone mainly
covers steep slopes not suitable for urban development. About
0.4 hectare bounded by Waterloo Road in the north, Portland Street in the east,
Man Ming Lane in the south and Shanghai Street in the west, including a section
of Shek Lung Street, has been designated as a Land Development Corporation (LDC)
Development Scheme Plan Area for commercial/residential use. The Urban Renewal
Authority has been established to replace the LDC and to take over ongoing urban
renewal projects from LDC. The
approved Yau Ma Tei OZP No. S/K2/15 is available for public inspection during
office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Tsuen Wan and
West Kowloon District Planning Office and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office. Copies
of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in
Yau Ma Tei and North Point. An electronic version can be seen on the Town Planning
Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
8. Fixed pontoon system to be built in Sai Kung
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Government intends to allow the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) to construct
a fixed pontoon system for anchoring vessels in Hebe Haven, Sai Kung. The
proposed works, covering about 5,990 square metres of foreshore and seabed, are
scheduled to commence in July 2003 for completion by June 2005. A
notice describing the extent of the area affected is gazetted today (April 11).
Any person who
claims an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved
may send a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government
Offices, 333 Java Road on or before June 11, 2003. The
notice and its related plan can be seen on notice boards posted near the site.
The plan is also available for public inspection during office hours at the Lands
Department's Survey and Mapping Office, 23/F North Point Government Offices; and
the Sai Kung District Office, 2/F Sai Kung Government Offices Building, 34 Chan
Man Street, Sai Kung.
9. Draft Tung Chung Town Centre Area Outline Zoning Plan approved
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tung Chung Town Centre Area
Outline Zoning Plan (OZP). "The
approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development
and redevelopment in the Tung Chung Town Centre area," a spokesman for the
Town Planning Board said today (April 11). The
Planning Scheme Area of the OZP, covering about 252 hectares (including about
127 hectares of reclaimed land), is located on the north shore of Lantau Island,
southeast of Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. The population of
the area now is about 20,000. It is estimated that the planned population would
increase to about 68,000. The
approved OZP indicates the broad land use zones for the Tung Chung Town Centre
Area. A cable car system is proposed to link Tung Chung with Ngong Ping via the
Airport Island, with terminals at both ends. About
22.9 hectares is zoned Comprehensive Development Area to facilitate comprehensive
developments in conjunction with the construction of the Airport Express and the
Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Tung Chung Lines. A
total of 36 hectares is zoned Residential (Group A) for high-density housing developments.
The "Village
Type Development" zone, taking up about 5.4 hectares, covers Shan Ha Village
and its expansion area, and the village resite area at Pa Mei North. A
site in close proximity to the Tung Chung MTR station and another adjacent to
the proposed pier at the waterfront are zoned Commercial. The two sites, occupying
a total area of about 2.2 hectares, will provide land for office, retail and other
commercial developments to serve the Town Centre. About
17.7 hectares of this land is zoned Government, Institution or Community to provide
a wide range of facilities to serve the local residents and the wider district.
A total area
of about 55.8 hectares has been zoned Open Space to allow for active and passive
recreational uses. To
facilitate the implementation of the proposed Tung Chung Cable Car Project and
related commercial development, a site of about 0.6 hectare at the Town Centre
is zoned Other Specified Uses, annotated Cable Car Terminal and Related Commercial
Development. Other
uses, including the railway ventilation and other plants associated with the Tung
Chung MTR Station, a sewage pumping station, ferry pier, petrol filling stations
and traction station-cum- portal, are also zoned OU with specific annotations.
They cover a total area of 2.1 hectares. The
foothills on the southern fringe of the area, covering about 47.1 hectares, are
zoned Green Belt to preserve the natural environment. The
approved OZP No. S/I-TCTC/10 is now available for public inspection during office
hours at the following locations: *
Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices,
333 Java Road; *
Lantau and Islands District Planning Office, Planning Department, 15/F, Sha Tin
Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road; *
Islands District Office, 20/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central; *
Islands District Office, Mui Wo Sub-Office, G/F, Mui Wo Government Offices, 2
Ngan Kwong Road, Lantau Island; *
Islands District Office, Tung Chung Sub-Office, 1/F, Tung Chung Post Office Building,
6 Mei Tung Street, Lantau Island; and *
Tung Chung Rural Committee, Sheung Ling Pei Village, Lantau Island. Copies
of the approved plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in
Yau Ma Tei and North Point. An electronic version can be seen on the Town Planning
Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
10. Buildings Ordinance to be amended
Hong
Kong Government, 11 April 2003 The
Government will introduce the Buildings (Amendment) Bill 2003 into the Legislative
Council later this month (April). The
Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, said today (April
11) that the Amendment Bill represented the most extensive amendment to the Buildings
Ordinance for a long time. "We
will be making significant headway in improving the building control regime, strengthening
safety requirements and facilitating law enforcement. This should help bring about
a better living environment and is conducive to our long-term sustainability,"
said Mr Suen. The
Amendment Bill contains a number of proposals. "The most important of these
is the introduction of a new concept of minor works. This seeks to better align
the degree of control with the nature, scale and complexity of the building works
involved," said Mr Suen. Under
the minor works system, relatively simple and small-scale building works will
no longer be subject to the full prior approval process. Examples of such works
are the erection and removal of light-weight canopies, flower racks and small-scale
advertisement signboards. Different levels of professional oversight will be specified
for different categories of minor works. "This
will result in time and cost savings for building owners and the industry alike
while ensuring safety," said Mr Suen. "We
also propose that minor works may be carried out by a new category of contractors.
The qualification and experience requirements of these contractors will be commensurate
with the nature of the minor works." Mr
Suen explained that the built-in safeguards in the law plus audit checks by the
Buildings Department would contribute to better control of minor works and hence
enhanced public safety. The
Buildings (Amendment) Bill 2003 also seeks to clearly specify the person responsible
for the removal of unauthorised building works, thus facilitating enforcement
against unauthorised building works. "As
an additional measure to encourage owners to remove unauthorised building works
voluntarily, the Building Authority may issue warning notices on these works and
register the notices in the Land Registry," said Mr Suen. "This will
also provide a measure of consumer protection to prospective property buyers."
To better tackle
the problem of unauthorised building works, owners who obstruct their owners'
corporations in complying with a statutory order for repair works and removal
of unauthorised building works may be prosecuted. Other
proposals of the Bill include the registration of geotechnical engineers, the
requirement of emergency vehicular access for new buildings and increased fines
for contravening the Buildings Ordinance. The
Buildings (Amendment) Bill 2003 will be gazetted on April 17, 2003.
11. Test runs of West Rail
KCRC
Press Release, 11 April 2003 In
preparation for the commissioning of West Rail, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation
(KCRC) will commence comprehensive testing of the interfacing of various railway
systems and train carriages along the entire West Rail alignment between Tuen
Mun Station and Nam Cheong Station. From
14 April to end of May, a small number of late night test runs of the 7-car train
sets will be carried out between Kam Sheung Road Station and Tuen Mun Station
from 6 pm to 1 am. During
the same period test runs will also be carried out between Kam Sheung Road Station
and Nam Cheong Station from 6 pm to 6 am. A
KCRC spokesman said, "The late night testing is necessary not only to test
the interfacing of the systems and train sets, but to test drivers' response in
a real-life situation as West Rail will operate between 5:30 a.m and 1 a.m. when
it opens." With
regard to the extended hours of testing in the section between Kam Sheung Road
Station and Nam Cheong Station, the spokesmen said "Most of the test runs
will be carried out within the operating hours of West Rail. We have extended
the test hours from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. as trains on this section will run largely
in tunnels and in enclosed structures on West Kowloon reclamation far away from
the densely populated area. " The
spokesman said, "We will keep the late night test runs to an absolute minimum
and there will be no test runs during the Easter Holidays." | 
