Since 1841, Hong Kong has undergone urbanisation gradually alongside its economic and social development. While new buildings have been erected and old ones torn down, many historic buildings have been preserved. These buildings have witnessed the thriving development of this metropolis and are part of our history. They should all be treasured and protected properly so that we can learn more about the captivating story of this former fishing village......

The Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area (HSK NDA) Planning and Engineering Study Stage Two Community Engagement was launched on July 15. The HSK NDA is another important project after the North East New Territories New Development Areas (NENT NDAs) – Fanling/Sheung Shui/Kwu Tung New Town. The development potential of Hung Shui Kiu was first recognised in the Territorial Development Strategy Review in the early 1990s. Later, in 2007, the Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy recommended proceeding with the NDA developments to address long-term housing needs and to create more employment opportunities. The HSK NDA was included as one of the projects for diversified development......

After more than 10 years of studies, consultations and deliberations, the Government has finalised the plan for the North East New Territories New Development Areas (NENT NDAs) and proposed the Fanling/Sheung Shui/Kwu Tung New Town to supply land to address housing, economic and social development needs in Hong Kong in the medium term.The plan has been announced for 10 days, and my colleagues and I have given media interviews and attended forums to explain the plan to the public and address their concerns. However, there are misunderstandings and some affected households and farmers have insisted on “no removal, no demolition”. A few days ago, we responded to the unsubstantiated accusation of “collusion between the Government and the business sector and the transfer of benefits” through our Facebook page to allay any unnecessary doubts. Today, I would like to further respond to the demand for “no removal, no demolition”.

The recently announced final plan of the North East New Territories New Development Areas (NDAs) - the Fanling/Sheung Shui/Kwu Tung New Town - is one of the important sources of land and housing supply in the medium term. During the Stage 3 Public Engagement last year, we received over 10 000 written submissions. The new town plan has addressed these views, and substantial changes have been made to the plan after taking into account the findings of detailed technical assessments covering the environmental impacts and infrastructure aspects, etc. We seek to strike a balance among the needs of different stakeholders and provide reasonable and appropriate assistance to those affected, premised on the overall public interest. We will continue to explain the plan to the stakeholders, and also contact the affected residents and farmers to explain the plan and various compensation and rehousing arrangements in detail. We hope that the public will support taking forward this new town plan......

Over the past year, increasing land supply and creating a quality and sustainable living environment for the community have been the two main areas of work of the Development Bureau. Regarding the short-, medium- and long-term measures to increase housing and land supply proposed in the Policy Address and on previous occasions, we have already taken them forward in a holistic manner so as to achieve our policy objectives. Progress achieved includes: (1) Regarding the review of various land zonings, 65 sites of various uses of a total area of 114 hectares have been zoned or are going through town planning procedures for rezoning. Through reviews and identification of sites suitable for converting to residential use, five of these have already been included in the Land Sale Programme of this year while the remaining sites are still under review. (2) Four sites located at squatter or ex-quarry areas with a total area of about 27 hectares are being converted to residential use. About 143-hectare sites at Kam Tin South West Rail Kam Sheung Road Station and Pat Heung Maintenance Depot and adjoining areas are also under planning. (3) Making preparations to relax or lift the administrative moratorium in Pok Fu Lam and the Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island in order to release the development potential of these two areas. (4) Reallocating resources to expedite the processing of pre-sale consent applications. Over the last 10 months, 17 pre-sale consent applications have been approved involving about 9 400 residential flats in total.