We have completed the Hong Kong 2030 Study, and the Final Report on the Study has been released. To support the realisation of our vision of positioning Hong Kong as Asia’s world city, we have through the Hong Kong 2030 Study translated the vision into specific planning goals and objectives which are to be met by a planning strategy. Our planning strategy would follow three broad directions, namely:
Details of the recommendations of the Study are set out in the Legislative Council (LegCo) Brief on Hong Kong 2030 issued on 10 October 2007. Attached at Annex 2 is a leaflet on the Study highlighting the action agenda.
We need to implement New Development Areas (NDAs) to meet the needs of the population in the longer term. This has been confirmed under the Hong Kong 2030 Study as described above in paragraph 6. Given the long lead-time required from planning to implementation of NDAs, we will, as a start, commission a planning and engineering feasibility study in early 2008 on the “Three-in-One” NDA scheme at Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling, and draw up an implementation strategy. Preparatory work for a similar study to ascertain the development feasibility of the proposed Hung Shui Kiu NDA will follow.
We see the need to strengthen our partnership with Shenzhen, particularly on the front of the development of boundary areas for long term mutual benefits. We propose to establish a high-level working group with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to co-ordinate and oversee different cross boundary development projects, including the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the proposed Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai control point. It will also provide steer to the further research and planning work on other cross-boundary issues such as boundary crossings and the development of the boundary areas.
In his Policy Address, the CE has listed ten major infrastructure projects for priority attention in the coming five years. Apart from taking a lead in Kai Tak Development, collaboration with Shenzhen and NDAs, DEVB will support the various transport infrastructure and work closely with Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) and the future West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Authority on the planning and implementation of WKCD.
We have strived to improve the quality in the construction industry and made some significant progress. The setting up of the statutory Construction Industry Council (CIC) on 1 February 2007 helps forge consensus on long-term strategic issues, convey industry needs and aspirations to Government, as well as provide a communication channel for Government to solicit advice on all construction-related matters. The registration of construction workers and the commencement of the implementation of phase one prohibition in September 2007 helps tackle the problems of wage disputes and employment of illegal workers.
To further help resolve wage disputes and control multi-layer subcontracting, we will continue to implement relevant measures under public works contracts. These include the Government’s right to pay workers for wages in arrear out of contract money due to the main contractor, provision of a computerised smart card system, etc.