Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, in the Legislative Council today (February 25):
Question:
In his Policy Address delivered last year, the Chief Executive stated that the Government had identified some 150 sites in the territory, and subject to the successful completion of the town planning procedures for rezoning and/or increasing development intensity, it was estimated that a considerable number of these sites would be available for residential development between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019 and were capable of providing over 210 000 residential units, of which over 70 per cent would be public housing units. As at the end of last year, the authorities have started the work to amend the statutory plans of 45 of such sites. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of:
(1) the following information on each of the 150 sites, grouped by District Council (DC) district: (i) site area, (ii) whether it is currently rented out under short-term tenancy, (iii) whether land resumption is required before residential development can be taken forward; if so, of the land resumption procedure involved, (iv) whether the consultation process with DCs has been started, (v) the anticipated commencement date of the works for the residential development, and (vi) the number of residential units that can be provided;
(2) the following information on each of the 150 sites, grouped by DC district: (i) the existing plot ratio, (ii) the proposed plot ratio, and (iii) the progress of the planning procedure for change of plot ratio;
(3) the following information on each of the 45 sites of which statutory plan amendments have been started, grouped by DC district: (i) the proposed use (such as public rental housing, Home Ownership Scheme estates and private residential developments), (ii) site area, (iii) the number of residential units that can be provided, (iv) the anticipated time for completing the statutory plan amendments and making available the site for housing development, and (v) the anticipated commencement date of the works for the residential development;
(4) the reasons why statutory plan amendments have yet to be started for the remaining 105 sites; and the measures the authorities have put in place to expedite the relevant work; and
(5) the estimated number of sites that will be available for residential development between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019, as well as the respective locations of, and the numbers of public or private residential units that can be provided at, each of these sites?
Reply:
President,
As announced by the Secretary for Transport and Housing at the press conference on the Long Term Housing Strategy on December 16 last year, the Government has updated the projection of long term housing demand for the 10-year period from 2015-16 to 2024-25. Based on this, the total housing supply target is now set at 480 000 units for the coming 10 years, with the public-private split remains as 60:40. Delivering this housing supply target is undeniably a huge challenge for both the Government and community. The more immediate and effective way to augment housing land supply in the short to medium term is to make more optimal use of the developed areas in the existing urban areas and new towns, as well as nearby land in the vicinity of existing infrastructures, through land use reviews and increasing development intensity where planning terms permit.
With the said efforts, the Government has identified in total some 150 potential housing sites, most of which may be made available for housing development in the five years of 2014-15 to 2018-19 for providing over 210 000 flats, with over 70 per cent of them for public housing, subject to timely amendments to their respective statutory plans for change of land use and/or increase in development intensity.
After consultation with the Planning Department (PlanD), Housing Department (HD) and Lands Department, our reply to the five-part question is as below:
(1), (2) and (5) PlanD has conducted territory-wide reviews on the government land currently vacant, under Short Term Tenancies or different short-term, Government, Institution or Community and other government uses, as well as Green Belt sites, which have identified in total some 150 potential housing sites. The Government fully appreciates the technical challenges and local concerns arising from developing these potential housing sites. After briefing the District Council (DC) Chairmen and Vice-chairmen in April last year, the Development Bureau and PlanD, together with relevant departments, commenced the consultation with individual DCs and provided them with an overview of the potential housing sites in their respective districts. As at early February this year, we had presented relevant information to 15 out of the 16 DCs concerned, and will make a presentation to the last DC shortly.
The geographical distribution of these some 150 sites, and their estimated flat production, estimated year of land availability, existing land use zoning and proposed types of housing by districts are set out at Annex 1. It should be noted that these some 150 sites are only part of the land that could be made available in the 10-year period as mentioned above. The estimated number of sites, number of flats, year of land availability and the proposed types of housing are subject to changes depending on the findings of technical assessments, relevant statutory plan amendment procedures and works progress of the sites concerned.
To date, statutory plan amendments have already been initiated in respect of 45 of these some 150 sites, among them 20 sites have completed the statutory rezoning procedures. For those sites the statutory rezoning procedure of which has yet to commence, we will, as with the established practice, further consult the respective DCs and local community when we complete the required technical assessments and firm up the development parameters (including the site location, site area and proposed plot ratio) to proceed with the statutory plan amendments. By then, more detailed information of individual sites will be available.
Some sites may involve land resumption/clearance, or reprovisioning of the existing or planned facilities. When the relevant statutory plan amendments are approved by the Town Planning Board, departments concerned will commence the required works and other procedures, with a view to making available the sites for public and private housing development as soon as practicable.
(3) As mentioned above, we have initiated the statutory plan amendments for 45 sites (i.e. about one-third) of the some 150 potential housing sites. These 45 sites are estimated to provide a total of about 40 000 housing units, with public and private housing accounting for about 22 300 and 17 500 units (Note: The number of private housing units concerned has reflected the decision of the Town Planning Board to recommend reverting two sites (involving about 1 300 flats) back to "Green Belt" zone, after hearing of representations/comments related to the amendments to the Tai Po Outline Zoning Plan on February 13, 2015) respectively. The site area, estimated flat production and estimated year of land availability of the 45 sites are set out at Annex 2. Apart from 20 sites the statutory rezoning procedure of which has been completed, the statutory procedure for the remaining 25 sites will be completed as soon as practicable in accordance with the Town Planning Ordinance. When the sites are ready for housing development, we will include them in the Land Sale Programme or allocate them to HD for public housing development.
(4) The above some 150 potential housing sites constitute an important part of the housing land supply in the coming five years. Rezoning the sites concerned is the key to achieving the 10-year total housing supply target, and we have already initiated the rezoning of about one-third of them in one year. We will continue the relevant statutory plan amendments with full steam ahead so as to increase and expedite the short to medium-term housing land supply.
As mentioned in the Long Term Housing Strategy, the development time of developed land depends on the circumstances of individual sites and the procedures involved, which in general takes about one to five years. The Government also needs to consider various factors, including the traffic and infrastructure capacities, provision of community facilities and open space, relevant development constraints and existing development density, as well as the potential impacts on the local environment, visual and air ventilation, etc. If necessary, government departments will carry out technical assessments or studies, and propose measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the proposed developments. Apart from the statutory planning procedures and road works, some sites may involve land resumption/clearance, or reprovisioning of the existing or planned facilities. Consultations with relevant DCs, residents and other stakeholders also take time.
Apart from the some 150 potential housing sites, other medium to long-term land supply projects including the Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Hung Shui Kiu New Development Areas, as well as the Tung Chung New Town Extension are expected to provide land for residential developments in phases in the latter period of the 10-year supply target.
As reiterated by the Government, providing sufficient land to achieve the housing target is a huge challenge for both the Government and community. An integral part of the land supply process is the support and understanding rendered by the DCs, local districts and residents. The community as a whole has to accept trade-offs in order to cope with the imminent housing needs of Hong Kong people, especially the pressing needs of those waiting to move into public rental housing or to improve their existing living environment. If the local districts and DCs can render understanding and support for the rezoning, we believe that the said housing sites could be expeditiously provided for the development of public and private housing.
Ends/Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:36
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