kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SDEV continues visit to Beijing (with photos)
9.11.2023

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, continued her visit to Beijing today (November 9). In the morning, Ms Linn met with the Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism and Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Mr Li Qun, to exchange views on areas such as research on archaeology and built heritage, conservation, talents training, education and promotion. Under the framework agreement to further promote cultural heritage exchange and collaboration on archaeology and built heritage between the Mainland and Hong Kong signed last year, Hong Kong will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the National Cultural Heritage Administration to facilitate the development of Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Ms Linn then called on the Ministry of Natural Resources and exchanged views with the Head of the Department of Sea Area and Island Management, Mr Gao Zhongwen, on the handling of inert construction and demolition materials of Hong Kong. In the afternoon, Ms Linn visited the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and met with the Director General of the Department of Regional Economy of the NDRC, Mr Wu Shulin. Ms Linn briefed him on the latest development of land and infrastructure in Hong Kong, in particular how the two major development projects, the Northern Metropolis and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, will expand the scope and capacity of Hong Kong's development, enable a new industry pattern, facilitate Hong Kong's active participation in the high-quality economic cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and better integration into the national development. Later, Ms Linn met with Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources Mr Tian Xuebin. They exchanged views on issues including Dongjiang water supply, development of smart waterworks, and enhanced cooperation in water technology, water resources management and combating climate change in the GBA. Ms Linn thanked the Ministry of Water Resources and the Water Resources Department of Guangdong Province for their enormous efforts in safeguarding sufficient water supply and water safety for Hong Kong, providing strong support for Hong Kong's social and economic development in terms of water resources. Ms Linn will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council tomorrow (November 10) and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon. The Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, and the Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Mr Vic Yau, also joined the visit.
SDEV begins visit to Beijing (with photos)
8.11.2023

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, started her visit programme to Beijing today (November 8), visiting the Zhongguancun Science City and calling on the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. During her visit to the Zhongguancun Science City, Ms Linn was briefed by representatives from the relevant authorities on the development plan of the Zhongguancun Science Park, as well as the progress of building up high-tech industries and their mode of development. They also exchanged views. Ms Linn said that while the Government is forging ahead with the development of the Northern Metropolis including the San Tin Technopole, the experience of developing large-scale projects on the Mainland is a valuable source of inspiration and reference for Hong Kong. Ms Linn then called on the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and briefed its Minister, Mr Ni Hong, on the development of land and construction industry in Hong Kong. They exchanged views on various areas of co-operation for building works, such as promoting the use of Modular Integrated Construction method and innovative technologies, setting up the Building Testing and Research Institute, advocating the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area standards, fostering exchange of young professionals, and collaboration in training for construction workers. Ms Linn thanked the Ministry for being very supportive of the work of the Development Bureau. Both parties will continue to maintain close liaison and work together for better development of the construction industries of both sides. The Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, and the Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Mr Vic Yau, also joined the visit. Ms Linn will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (November 9).
SDEV to visit Beijing
7.11.2023

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, will depart for a visit to Beijing tomorrow (November 8). During her stay in Beijing, Ms Linn will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and several ministries with policy portfolios relating to the work of the Development Bureau, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Water Resources and the National Cultural Heritage Administration. She will also visit a science park. The Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, and the Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Mr Vic Yau, will also join the visit. Ms Linn will return to Hong Kong on November 10. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, will be the Acting Secretary for Development.
Cooperation arrangement on management of cross-boundary dumping between Hong Kong and Mainland updated (with photo)
27.10.2023

The Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) today (October 27) signed the updated Cooperation Arrangement on Management of Cross-boundary Dumping. Hong Kong has been adopting a multipronged approach, such as reducing, reusing, recycling and temporary storage, to deal with inert construction and demolition materials (i.e. public fill) generated by the local construction industry. However, local reusing and recycling cannot absorb all the inert construction and demolition materials and the capacity of temporary fill banks is limited. Local disposal facilities of dredged materials also face pressure of insufficient capacity. With the support of the Central Government, the former Environment, Transport and Works Bureau and the former State Oceanic Administration signed an agreement in 2004, providing a foundation for closer co-operation and communication on the accommodation of inert construction and demolition materials in Mainland waters and the management of cross-boundary dumping of dredged materials generated in Hong Kong. Premised on the existing management principles, the Cooperation Arrangement updates the details of the arrangement of the accommodation of inert construction and demolition materials on the Mainland as well as cross-boundary dumping of dredged materials generated in Hong Kong. It also reflects the changes in the government structure of both sides in recent years. Witnessed by Vice Minister of the MEE Ms Guo Fang, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and representative of the Department of Marine Ecology and Environment of the MEE Mr Zhou Zhiqiang signed the Cooperation Agreement in Hong Kong. Under the Cooperation Arrangement, the Civil Engineering and Development Department will continue to transfer surplus public fill to the designated reception site in Taishan in Guangdong Province for disposal. As for dredged materials, project proponents, based on the need of individual projects, can submit applications for cross-boundary dumping based on specific requirements in accordance with the mechanism to the relevant department under the MEE.
Opening remarks by SDEV on quarterly land sale programme for October to December 2023 (with video)
4.10.2023

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session today (October 4) on the quarterly land sale programme for October to December 2023: Today I will introduce the Government's Land Sale Programme and land supply from other sources in the third quarter of this financial year, that is October to December. The Government will put up for tender a residential site at Cheung Sha on Lantau Island in this quarter, providing a supply of about 110 flats. The MTR Corporation Limited (MTR) and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) will also roll out projects in this quarter. The MTR will put up for tender Package 1 of Tung Chung East Station, which is expected to provide around 1 200 flats. The URA plans to put up two development projects respectively in Kai Tak Road / Sa Po Road and Shing Tak Street / Ma Tau Chung Road, together providing around 1 450 flats in total. In addition, seven private development projects are expected to complete their lease modifications in this quarter, providing a supply of about 440 flats. So taking all the above sources together, the total private housing land supply for the third quarter would support the development of around 3 200 flats. Together with the supply from the first half of this financial year, the total supply from the first to third quarter is expected to support some 10 150 flats, reaching around 80 per cent of our annual target for private housing supply (12 900 flats). The total supply so far has not completely reflected the supply from private development projects not requiring lease modification, as such figures are only available at a later stage, if we are talking about the source from the third quarter. We are overall optimistic that we would be able to achieve the private housing land supply target for the year. For the third quarter, we will not be rolling out any commercial site for sale. In overall terms, the Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to increase land supply and sustain our efforts in providing a continuous and steady land supply to the market for development.
Three approved outline zoning plans referred back for amendment
15.9.2023

The Town Planning Board (the Board) announced today (September 15) that the Secretary for Development has referred three outline zoning plans (OZP) to the Board for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals, namely the approved Tuen Mun OZP, the approved Tseung Kwan O OZP and the approved Ma On Shan OZP. Each OZP incorporating the respective amendment(s) will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. The Tuen Mun OZP, Tseung Kwan O OZP and Ma On Shan OZP were last approved by the Chief Executive in Council in May 2023, June 2021 and September 2023 respectively.
2023/24 leadership programme of Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders launched (with photos)
28.8.2023

The Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders (CoE) under the Development Bureau launched today (August 28) the 2023/24 Major Projects Leadership Programme (MPLP). Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Secretary for Development and Chairman of the CoE, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Government is committed to continuing investing in infrastructure development to address economic and social needs, and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong. A number of far-reaching landmark developments including the Northern Metropolis, the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, etc, are in the pipeline. With Hong Kong's annual construction volume projected to reach approximately $300 billion a year in the medium to long term, she stressed the need to expand the infrastructure talent pool to ensure capital works projects meet public expectations for project efficiency and delivery. As the flagship programme of the CoE, the MPLP is designed and delivered by the Oxford Sa&iuml;d Business School, which offers a high-level project management and leadership development programme to major project leaders so as to uplift the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of public works projects. The 12-month MPLP includes international classes at Oxford and local classes, and is supported by personal coaching and professional assessment. The MPLP was extended to relevant partners of public works projects early this year and was well-received. Upon completion of the 2023/24 MPLP, there will be a total of about 140 major project leaders from government bureaux and departments, public organisations, major engineering consultants and contractors attending this top-notch programme.
Construction Safety Week 2023 promotes site safety (with photos)
28.8.2023

Construction Safety Week (CSW) 2023, co-organised by the Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), is being held from today (August 28) to September 3. Under the theme of "United for a New Site Safety Chapter", an array of events will be held including the CSW Conference, a public exhibition, visits to construction sites with exemplary safety performance, the award presentation ceremony of the 29th Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme and the CSW Carnival. Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Government has taken into account the views of industry stakeholders to further enhance the site safety management system, and adopted a multipronged approach to step up site safety. She pointed out that the Government has required all public works contracts with contract sum exceeding $30 million to adopt the Smart Site Safety System and subsidised private works projects to adopt the system through the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund. At the same time, the Government will also promote the adoption of Design for Safety in the industry to reduce construction hazards at source. She called on the industry to continue to transform the culture of site safety with concerted efforts and further adopt the Smart Site Safety System and Design for Safety. The Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho, said that transforming the site safety culture was pivotal to improving site safety. He indicated that the CIC has rolled out a pilot scheme to promote a wider adoption of Design for Safety in the industry. He said he was glad to know that a number of developers have expressed interest in participating in the pilot scheme. The CSW Conference commenced right after the kick-off ceremony. Experts and industry practitioners shared with the audience their experience in the adoption of the Smart Site Safety System, Design for Safety, innovation and technology, and data science to enhance site safety. An exhibition on the Smart Site Safety System was also held at the venue. CSW, launched in 2012, aims to promote a zero-accident site environment and a caring environment in the construction industry. The campaign has received support from various sectors of the community including professional groups, organisations, trade associations and labour unions. Details of this year's CSW are available at www.safetyweek.hk .
Transcript of remarks by SDEV at media session
28.8.2023

âFollowing is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session after officiating at the kick-off ceremony of Construction Safety Week 2023 today (August 28): Reporter: I want to ask about regarding the Housing Society taking over the development of Starter Homes in Tsuen Wan. I want to ask the first question why do you think that there are so little tenders that you have to give it to the Housing Society? And secondly, do you think that this new practice will become a standard approach and what would be done to make these tenders more attractive to private developments? Secretary for Development: This is about the recent result of a land sale in Yau Kom Tau in Tsuen Wan. I think as with all land sale sites, whether the result is successful, whether the land is successfully sold to any bidder, depends on various factors. How the tenderers or potential tenderers look at the site and how they assess their own company strategy and the prospect of the property market, so many different factors are involved. And this is not only the first case in which we have come across an unsuccessful tender, so whenever that happens we look at it case by case. For this particular case, the Government has already invited the Hong Kong Housing Society to consider taking over because we are talking about a site delivering flats with some kind of subsidised elements, which is Starter Homes. As with other land sale sites coming up, we look at it from a case-by-case basis. And of course the Government also set a reserved price. We do not sell our land cheap. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by SDEV at media session
12.8.2023

âFollowing is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (August 12): Reporter: Can you talk about what kind of support is the government providing for the so-called "three-nil" buildings? Can you briefly introduce the figures and the timeline? The second question, is the government studying the possibility of working together or hiring people from institution or academy to carry out inspection work to ease the manpower shortage? Secretary for Development: First, on the assistance for the so-called "three-nil" buildings, we have recently formed a tripartite institutional setup to have regular meetings involving the Buildings Department (BD), the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and the Home Affairs Department (HAD). Why the Home Affairs Department? Because the department is the one responsible for helping the "three-nil" buildings form the owners' corporations. So we hope that by having this regular setup of a meeting, regular meetings within the government, we can share information, for example, the BD can pass on the list of buildings which have already received this mandatory building inspection notices but not yet complied with. We share the list with the HAD so they can target those buildings and help them form the owners' corporations and the URA can also approach the buildings to introduce to them the various funding schemes available to help their building maintenance work. So this is the first question. On your second question about how we are going to engage the professional bodies to help with the building inspections, basically, we want to focus on the 900 buildings which we have mentioned before, for which the BD has issued notices but nothing have been done so far, not even appointment of a building inspector. And for such buildings, we would like to seek the help of the professional bodies to see whether they can join up their efforts with the BD to do some urgent inspections of the external walls and see whether some would require emergency repairs. So the discussion has only just started, we have to allow some time for the department to follow up with those professional bodies. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by SDEV at media session
5.7.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council meeting today (July 5): Reporter: Do you think the mandatory repair notice is not enough, and the Buildings Department failed to deal with the problem despite knowing the problem, so what will be the timeline for the inspection task work you just mentioned to do follow-up actions? Secretary for Development: The Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme serves a particular purpose. It is targeted at all buildings aged 30 years and above. With the notices, the owners are obliged under law to do an inspection and do follow-up remedial works. I think the Scheme has its significance and its effectiveness, but there are lots of cases because of the building ageing problem in Hong Kong, so the Buildings Department has always been looking at these cases with prioritisation, focusing on those with serious hazards first, because as we all know, even though buildings are aged 30 and above, and are subject to such notices, many are actually still in good condition, but the Buildings Department will have to look at the individual reports and prioritise, and look at those with more imminent hazards. So the task that I have given to the Director of Buildings is that she should take stock of all the buildings with outstanding inspection notices and do a follow-up inspection, and see which are the cases warranting priority action by the Department in terms of issuing enforcement notices, and also in terms of the Department taking over some of the works as a matter of urgency, and asking for reimbursement from the owners at a later stage. So I hope the Buildings Department will take stock and let me have a suggested timeframe in the near term and we will account for the timeframe given in due course. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by SDEV on quarterly land sale programme for July to September 2023 (with video)
29.6.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session today (June 29) on the quarterly land sale programme for July to September 2023: Reporter: I would like to follow up on the tendering conditions for the Kai Tak site. Do you think that these conditions will make the site less attractive for bidders? Will high financing cost and also high interest rates deter bidders and developers from the tendering process? Secretary for Development: First of all, I think the inclusion of gross floor area for certain community facilities is actually a good move to make good use of the private land available to deliver some facilities of urgent needs in the community. As to whether that will dampen the price to be put forward by the tenderer, I think as with all land sale cases, the tenderer will have to take into account all conditions in the lease including, for example, the building covenant period, the floor area allowed and its obligation to deliver certain gross floor area for the Government. So all these will be taken into account, both by the tenderer and by the Lands Department when the reserve price is set. So I am not too worried that the inclusion of these conditions will actually affect the prospect of the site being successfully tendered. It is a matter of pricing. Reporter: Can you recap in English on whether the Government will take further action on Leighton? Do you think that the ruling sent a strong enough signal to developers? Secretary for Development: On the Shatin to Central Link incident, the Government issued press statements yesterday and made it very clear that there is ongoing criminal investigation by the Police, so I hope that members of the public and the media will understand that when we talk about criminal investigations and any possible subsequent prosecutions, we are talking about very serious and meticulous processes, so it is really not appropriate for the Government to further comment on such investigations and disclose further details. As regards the particular investigation case being taken forward by the Buildings Department and has reached the court with judgement laid down, the Buildings Department as the enforcement authority has already issued a press statement explaining its position including the fact that it is now considering the possibility of an appeal in consultation with the legal advisors. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)