Just as the Chief Executive mentioned in his recently released Policy Address, sufficient supply of land and housing is the key to making Hong Kong a better place for living and working. The Government is taking all possible steps to spearhead land production, with the Northern Metropolis and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands being the major sources of land supply in the future. The Government will continue to speed up land production by implementing measures including streamlining of procedures and extension of the arrangement for standardisation of land premium. We will also build a more liveable Hong Kong through initiatives such as facilitating urban renewal to enhance quality, releasing development potential of land and enhancing building safety.

Northern Metropolis　Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands

Based on the latest data, the supply of spade-ready sites will reach 3 370 hectares in the next 10-year period (i.e. from 2024-25 to 2033-34), with more than half coming from the Northern Metropolis (around 1 400 hectares) and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands (around 400 hectares).

The Northern Metropolis is a new engine for Hong Kong’s future growth. Adopting an “industry-driven and infrastructure-led” approach as its key planning axle, the Northern Metropolis will forge a major hub for Hong Kong to integrate into the overall development of our country. From the west to the east, the Northern Metropolis will be divided into four major zones, namely the High-end Professional Services and Logistics Hub, the Innovation and Technology Zone, the Boundary Commerce and Industry Zone, and the Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle. Tomorrow, we will release the Northern Metropolis Action Agenda, which sets out the projects to be taken forward in each of the zones and their respective schedules.

The “Enhanced Conventional New Town Approach” will be adopted for implementing land development in the Northern Metropolis. Under the approach, private landowners are allowed to apply for lease modification in respect of designated land plots in New Development Areas in alignment with the Government’s requirements for carrying out the development intended by the Government. Given that landowners might not be able to consolidate 100% ownership of a development site, particularly those of a larger size and held by Tso/Tong, the Policy Address has put forward that landowners may make such applications if they can take over 90% ownership of a development site, while the remaining 10% of the site will be resumed by the Government through exercise of public power and then handed over to the applicants for development. This will not only allow existing landowners to participate in development, but also save time and relieve the Government from devoting expenditure to land resumption and site formation. This will also facilitate the overall development of larger sites.

As regards the 1 000-hectare Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, the Government will commence the environmental impact assessment process this year as scheduled following the public engagement activities.

Optimising the use of existing land to unleash development potential

In addition to the two major development projects mentioned above, we will optimise the use of existing land to unleash development potential and enhance the attractiveness of Hong Kong as an international metropolis by rolling out projects which include revitalising Hung Hom Station and nearby sites, developing the ex-Lamma Quarry site and the South Lantau Eco-Recreation Corridor.

Accelerating land production and development　Streamlining development procedures

The Government will continue to accelerate land production and development. Subsequent to streamlining statutory procedures earlier on, the Development Bureau (DEVB) is continuously reviewing administrative procedures for land development, including extension of the arrangement for charging land premium on standard rates in phases to agricultural land in the New Territories, the details of which will be announced at the end of this year. The first phase of the arrangement will be implemented in Yuen Long, North and Tuen Mun districts on a pilot basis.

Expediting urban renewal to enhance quality

To further improve the living environment, the Government will make efforts in dealing with issues such as redevelopment of old districts and building safety. In view of urban decay and ageing buildings, the Government wishes to facilitate private sector participation in urban renewal, in addition to the Urban Renewal Authority’s efforts to undertake its redevelopment projects. To this end, we have proposed relaxing the compulsory sale application thresholds. Having taken into account stakeholders’ views, the Government considers that, in addition to building age, the redevelopment need of individual districts should also be factored in when determining the extent of relaxation. Lower thresholds should be adopted for older buildings in old districts with more pressing redevelopment need. It is therefore proposed that for buildings aged 50 to 59 the compulsory sale application threshold will remain the same at 80% if they are not located in old districts; if they are located in old districts such as Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, To Kwa Wan, Sheung Wan and Wan Chai, the threshold will be lowered to 70%. For buildings aged 60 or beyond, the applicable thresholds will be progressively reduced with the minimum threshold being 65%.

When it comes to lowering the compulsory sale application thresholds, it is necessary to strike a balance between protecting minority owners and facilitating redevelopment of old buildings. The Government will set up a new dedicated office next year to provide additional support to affected minority owners, such as providing professional valuation, legal services and relocation support.

Reviewing the Building Ordinance (BO)　Enhancing building safety

The Government will put forth proposals next year to amend the BO to streamline prosecution procedures, lower the prosecution threshold, and raise the penalties against non-compliance with orders issued by the Buildings Department (BD) and unauthorised building works, with a view to enhancing the deterrent effect. For example, we will explore stepping up the enforcement efforts by empowering the Authority to initiate immediate prosecution action when unauthorised building works are identified in a unit, in addition to issuing removal orders.

Separately, the Government will concurrently review the registration and disciplinary systems of contractors, including the regulation of authorised signatories, to ensure the quality and safety of works.

Promoting elderly-friendly building design

We will review the building design manual of the BD and put forward, within 2024, proposals for introducing more elderly-friendly facilities in the common areas of buildings or inside the units in terms of, among others, floor materials and width of toilets. We will also consider as to whether, and if so how, these requirements would be enforced.

In addition to the major initiatives above, the DEVB and the departments under its purview will spare no effort to follow up on a series of policy objectives.