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1. 23 Building plans approved in March

2. Ir James Blake takes over as CEO

1. 23 Building plans approved in March
Hong Kong Government, 24 April 2006

The Buildings Department approved 23 building plans in March - six on Hong Kong Island , eight in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories .

Of the approved plans, nine were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial developments, one was for factory and industrial developments, and nine were for community services developments.

In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 13 building projects that, when completed, will provide 133,935 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,416 units, and 27,317 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for eight building projects.

The department also issued 19 occupation permits -- seven on Hong Kong Island , four in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories .

Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use were 8,774 square metres, involving 109 units, and 37,853 square metres for non-domestic use.

The declared cost of the new buildings completed in March totalled about $622 million.

In addition six demolition consents involving six building structures were issued.

The department received 2,306 complaints against unauthorised building works in March, and issued 1,807 removal orders on unauthorised works.

People can view the full version of the Monthly Digest for March on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

2. Ir James Blake takes over as CEO
KCRC Press Release, 24 April 2006

The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) today announced that Ir James Blake will become the Chief Executive Officer on 1 May 2006 upon the departure of Mr Samuel Lai, Acting Chief Executive Officer at the end of April.

The Chairman of KCRC, Mr Michael Tien, thanked Mr Lai for his 23 years of dedicated service to the Corporation.

“I have great admiration for Mr Lai's knowledge and experience. Over the years he has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and accountability in the discharge of his responsibilities.

“Under his leadership, the Corporation has been successful in commissioning the new railway lines and managing the smooth operation in the first two years of opening. The operating railways have also maintained their world-class standards in safety and reliability.

“With his strong financial and management background, Mr Lai has sustained the sound and solid financial condition of the Corporation, which is essential to its development.”

At the same time, Mr Tien was pleased to have Ir Blake on board to lead the Corporation to move forward. With his wealth of management experience and commitment to KCRC, Ir Blake will be able to contribute to the Corporation's success, and to ensure a smooth merger of the railway systems of the KCRC and MTR Corporation as well as the interest of the staff.