1 Heritage sites sought to store wine
Paggie Leung, SCMP 27 June 2008

The government has been identifying heritage sites for wine cellars and related activities to boost Hong Kong's fine-wine industry, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah said yesterday.

"We are identifying heritage sites that may be used for storage as well as many other wine-related activities, such as a wine school, a wine museum and venues for wine appreciation events," Mr Tsang said at a lunch  organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club.

Saying the conversion of the old munitions depot at Shouson Hill into wine storage facilities and a private club was a good working example of the model, he said Tiger Balm Garden in Tai Hang or the munitions storehouse on Stonecutters Island could also be ideal places.

But he ruled out offering preferential land deals for wine storage.

Nicholas Pegna, manager director of Berry Bros & Rudd - one of the wine merchants the government has consulted on the issue - said the use of heritage sites for wine storage and activities would include elements that would benefit the community and tourism.

"Logistics, access to the site and tourism are the important elements," Mr Pegna said. "It may include a  museum, a wine school ... and a wine centre with commentary and wine tasting.

"I do encourage the idea for the public use of old buildings because it is preserving the heritage."

But Kevin Tang Kwok-kit, programme director at the Concord Institute of Wine, said the cost effectiveness and convenience of the location were more important for wine traders: "It doesn't really need to be a historic site for storing wine."

Another government initiative is to allow wine importers to choose their preferred location for customs clearance from July 1.

2 Approved Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 27 June 2008

The Town Planning Board today (June 27) announced amendments to the approved Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The amendments mainly involve the rezoning of an area at Grampian Road from "Government, Institution or Community (4)" to "Government Institution or Community (10)", and the incorporation of building height restriction for the "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Petrol Filling Station" zone and minor relaxation clause on plot ratio/gross floor area restriction to various zones. 
 
The draft Kowloon Tong OZP No. S/K18/14 incorporating the amendments is now available for public inspection during office hours at the secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in the North Point and Sha Tin Government Offices, the Kowloon District Planning Office and the Kowloon City District Office.

Any person can make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before August 27, 2008. Representations made to the board will be available for public inspection.

Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed on the board's website at www.info.gov.hk/tpb/.