kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Transcript of remarks by SDEV
26.2.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (February 26): Reporter: Secretary, could you explain why didn't the Government give back the ETV building to RTHK if the EDB (Education Bureau) no longer needs it? Secondly, could you explain how did you set the subsidy proportion for the old buildings to repair their drainage pipes? Secretary for Development: On the first question, the Education Bureau has confirmed with us that they no longer need to use the building. ETV has ceased operation. If you look at the planning of the site, it is zoned as R(C) - Residential (Group C). It is our usual practice that when a piece of land reverts to the Government, in this case, the Lands Department, they will dispose of the land in accordance with the long term planning of the site. This is exactly what we are doing in this situation. Your second question pertains to the level of subsidy. We will be going to the Legislative Council's Panel on Development to explain details (of the subsidy scheme) in late March. In terms of its framework, it will closely follow the framework for Operation Building Bright 2.0 (OBB 2.0). It will consist of two parts. One part will be subsidies for buildings with owners who can organise repair works by themselves in a joint effort. The other part will be for buildings with owners who cannot organise themselves to do the renovation works necessary. These works will be done for them by the Buildings Department. The subsidy under the proposed scheme will be available to cover part of the expenses for the works. What we are thinking now is we will cover up to 80 per cent of the costs involved. The reason is that, if we use public money to fully cover the costs involved, there might be risk of moral hazard, because owners might believe that even if they do not maintain the upkeep of the building, every time repair works will be covered by money from the public purse. We don't think it's a wise move. So owners will have to shoulder part of the costs, and at the moment, we are thinking about 20 per cent will be the right approach. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Appointments to Community Involvement Committee on Greening
25.2.2021

The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (February 25) announced that 17 non-official members have been appointed to the Community Involvement Committee on Greening (CICG) for a term of two years from March 1, 2021. The new non-official members are Miss Linda Choy Siu-min, Dr Caroline Law Man-yee and Ms Idy Wong Lai-yin. The re-appointed non-official members are Dr Johnnie Chan Chi-kau, Ms Chan Man-kuen, Ms Amy Chan May-ho, Mr Cheng Ka-ho, Dr Samuel Cheng Kin-tak, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, Mr Cheung Yung-pong, Dr Jeffrey Hung Oi-shing, Ms Una Lau Yuk-min, Mr Christopher Law Kin-chung, Mr Lo Cheuk-man, Dr Angie Ng Ying-sim, Miss Poon Wing-yi and Mr Matthew Sin Kar-wah. A spokesman for the DEVB said, "The CICG comprises members from various sectors including community, public relations, construction, education and green groups, and will provide advice on community involvement matters related to greening, landscape design and tree management. The Committee plays a key role in the promotion of our greening efforts." The spokesman also expressed his gratitude to Mrs Miranda Leung Chan Che-ming, Ms Ann So Lai-chun and Mr Yiu Vor, the three outgoing non-official members. Appointed by the Secretary for Development, members of the CICG advise the DEVB on measures to encourage quality greening and to nurture a culture of tree care through civic education and community involvement activities. The membership of the new term of the CICG is set out below: Chairman ----------- Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) Non-official members ------------------------ Dr Johnnie Chan Chi-kau Ms Chan Man-kuen Ms Amy Chan May-ho Mr Cheng Ka-ho Dr Samuel Cheng Kin-tak Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan Mr Cheung Yung-pong *Miss Linda Choy Siu-min Dr Jeffrey Hung Oi-shing Ms Una Lau Yuk-min Mr Christopher Law Kin-chung *Dr Caroline Law Man-yee Mr Lo Cheuk-man Dr Angie Ng Ying-sim Miss Poon Wing-yi Mr Matthew Sin Kar-wah *Ms Idy Wong Lai-yin Official Members ------------------- Secretary for Education or representative Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation or representative Director of Civil Engineering and Development or representative Director of Environmental Protection or representative Director of Home Affairs or representative Director of Housing or representative Director of Leisure and Cultural Services or representative Deputy Secretary (Works) 1, DEVB * New non-official members
Appointments to Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation
3.1.2023

The Development Bureau announced today (January 3) that the Secretary for Development has appointed Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen as Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation (ACBHC), re-appointed 11 incumbent non-official members, and appointed seven new non-official members, for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2023. The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said, "The ACBHC is an important advisory body to the Government on built heritage conservation as well as the operation of the Built Heritage Conservation Fund (BHCF). The Committee has contributed significantly on this front. The Committee also provides invaluable advice, leading to the smooth implementation of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme). "The Committee comprises members from different fields and professions including architecture, historical research, social enterprise, engineering, surveying, town planning, heritage conservation, finance, business as well as art and cultural sector of the community. I look forward to working with the Committee on issues relating to built heritage conservation in Hong Kong." Ms Linn also expressed her gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Professor Lau Chi-pang, and seven non-official members for their dedicated service and contributions to the Committee in the past six years. The ACBHC was established in 2016 to advise the Government on the operation of the BHCF. The Committee also assesses new applications and monitors existing projects under the Revitalisation Scheme, monitors the operation of the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme on Built Heritage, and advises on the two Funding Schemes on public engagement projects and thematic research. The membership list of ACBHC with effect from January 1, 2023, is set out below: Chairman ----------- Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen (Previous term member) Non-official Members ------------------------ Mr Joel Chan Cho-sing* Mr David Chak Wing-pong Ms Winnie Chiu Wing-kwan* Mr Jason Cheung King-wai Professor Ching May-bo* Dr Fok Yeung-yeung Ms Renee Hue Yi-yan Ms Samantha Kong Wing-man Mr Jeffrey Kwok Pak-wai Mr Chris Lee Tsz-leung Ms Sharon Liu Chung-gay Ms Yanice Mak Wing-yan Mr Francis Ngai Wah-sing* Ms Clara Shek Ka-lai* Ms Chloe Suen Yin-wah Ms Karen Tang Shuk-tak* Mr Plato Yip Kwong-to Mr Yu Ka-sing* Official Members ------------------- Commissioner for Heritage, Development Bureau Assistant Director of Architectural Services (Property Services) Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Heritage and Museums) * New members
Transcript of remarks by SDEV at media session
1.1.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (January 1): Reporter: Secretary, you said that the estimate, the cost of $580 billion is a preliminary estimate. So when do you think the Government can provide us with a more concrete number and do you expect that figure to go further up? Secretary for Development: First of all, we have been stressing that the study is still ongoing, and it will be until some time in 2025 that we will approach the Legislative Council for seeking funding for the works. So it is now actually premature to come to a more precise estimate on the works requirements, particularly when we have yet to confirm a lot of the alignment for the transport network and also we have yet to go into the detailed works design, like measuring the quality of the ground situation and exact location, exactly how we are going to reclaim the three islands. So we have recently undertaken to the Legislative Council that probably we will by the time of 2024, when we have progressed further with our study, give them another periodic update on the cost estimate, but that will still not be the final estimate until we really approach the Finance Committee for funding. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by SDEV on quarterly land sale programme for January to March 2023 (with video)
30.12.2022

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session today (December 30) on the quarterly land sale programme for January to March 2023: Reporter: We want to ask given the current status of the property market, how do you think the weak property market will affect the upcoming land sale programme? Secretary for Development: First of all, I think we have stated on various occasions that our objective is to provide land to the market for development in a steady and continuous manner. So to achieve this objective, we should not be constrained by prevailing economic situation or concern about the Government not being able to fetch a high land premium for individual sites. This is because when we want to achieve a certain policy objective, whether we can fetch a high land premium is not the determining factor. The policy objective of providing land in a continuous and sustained manner is the primary policy objective. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Opening remarks by SDEV on quarterly land sale programme for January to March 2023 (with video)
30.12.2022

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session today (December 30) on the quarterly land sale programme for January to March 2023: Good afternoon. Today I will introduce the Government's Land Sale Programme in the fourth quarter of this financial year. Let me first provide an update on the private housing land supply in the first three quarters of this financial year. The various sources of private housing land will support the supply of some 12 950 flats, which has already exceeded our annual supply target for this year, which is 12 900 flats. In the fourth quarter, which is January to March in the coming calendar year, one residential site in Tsuen Wan will be put up for tender, providing around 490 flats. In addition, eight private development projects are expected to complete their lease modifications in the fourth quarter, providing a supply of about 2 630 flats. Taking all sources of private housing land supply into account, the total private housing land supply in the fourth quarter would support the development of around 3 120 flats. Together with the supply from the first three quarters, the total private housing land supply of this financial year is expected to support some 16 070 flats, exceeding the annual target set for this year by about 25 per cent. This total supply so far has not completely reflected private development projects not requiring lease modification in the third and fourth quarter, as such figures are only available at a later stage. Separately, as regards commercial land, in the fourth quarter, we plan to put up for tender a commercial site at the Junction of Sai Yee Street and Argyle Street in Mong Kok. The site is a rather rare large-scale commercial land in Kowloon, capable of providing around 141 600 square meters of gross floor area (GFA). To utilise this site situated at a prime urban location, we will require the developer via the land sale conditions to provide social and infrastructural facilities specified by the Government, including social welfare facilities, a community hall, a public transport interchange, cross-border coaches' stop, as well as public car parking spaces. We will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to increase land supply and sustain our efforts in providing a continuous and steady land supply to the market for development.
Appointments to Urban Forestry Advisory Panel
30.12.2022

The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (December 30) that 16 non-official members have been appointed to the Urban Forestry Advisory Panel (UFAP) for a term of two years from January 1, 2023. The new non-official members are Mr Paul Chan Yuen-king, Professor Wendy Chen Yan, Dr Dong Hui, Mr Hincent Ng Yu-hin, Dr Shi Shulin and Mr Ken So Kwok-yin. The re-appointed non-official members are Professor Chau Kwai-cheong, Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chi, Professor Chu Lee-man, Mr Kevin Eckert, Dr Billy Hau Chi-hang, Mr John Ho Kin-chuen, Professor Anthony Leung Kwan, Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet, Professor Charles Wong Man-sing and Mr Yiu Vor. A spokesman for the DEVB said, "The UFAP comprises both local and overseas experts from different fields including urban forestry, plant science, engineering and landscape architecture related academics, professionals and experts, and will provide advice on urban forestry policies and initiatives from multiple perspectives." The spokesman also expressed his gratitude to Dr Paul Barber, Mr Chan Yun-cheung, Mr Kingsley Choi Lim-cho, Mr Mark Duntemann, Mr Evans Iu Po-lung, Mr Patrick Lau Hing-tat, Dr David Lau Tai-wai, Mr Ian Shears and Dr Wong Fook-yee, the nine outgoing non-official members of the UFAP. Appointed by the Secretary for Development, members of the UFAP advise the DEVB on management strategies and applied research and development in respect of urban forestry, as well as positive capacity building initiatives for the arboriculture and horticulture industry. The membership of the new term of the UFAP is set out below: Chairman ------------ Head of Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section, DEVB Non-official members --------------------------- *Mr Paul Chan Yuen-king Professor Chau Kwai-cheong Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chi * Professor Wendy Chen Yan Professor Chu Lee-man *Dr Dong Hui Mr Kevin Eckert Dr Billy Hau Chi-hang Mr John Ho Kin-chuen Professor Anthony Leung Kwan *Mr Hincent Ng Yu-hin *Dr Shi Shulin *Mr Ken So Kwok-yin Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet Professor Charles Wong Man-sing Mr Yiu Vor Official members --------------------- Head of Tree Management Office, DEVB Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Representative of Highways Department Representative of Housing Department Representative of Leisure and Cultural Services Department * New non-official members
Development Bureau officer tests positive for COVID-19
24.12.2022

A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) today (December 24) said a staff member of the Bureau had tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test. The officer is the Personal Assistant to the Secretary for Development. She wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. She has no recent travel history and last went to work yesterday (December 23). The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, has been taking COVID-19 rapid tests every day and the results are all negative. She also tested negative for COVID-19 through a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test yesterday. The DEVB will conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection operations at the office concerned and will continue to implement disease prevention measures vigorously.
Development Bureau officer tests positive for COVID-19
22.12.2022

A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) today (December 22) said a staff member of the Bureau had tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test. The officer is the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary for Development. She wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. She has no recent travel history and last went to work on December 20. The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, has been taking COVID-19 rapid tests every day and the results are all negative. She also tested negative for COVID-19 through a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test yesterday (December 21). The DEVB will conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection operations at the office concerned and will continue to implement disease prevention measures vigorously.
40th anniversary of Shenzhen River Regulation (with photos)
16.12.2022

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (December 16) jointly held a commemorative ceremony for the 40th anniversary of Shenzhen River Regulation with the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government in Hong Kong and Shenzhen respectively. The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau; the Director of Drainage Services, Ms Alice Pang; and the Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Roger Wong, officiated at the ceremony, which was held online simultaneously at the City Gallery in Central and in Shenzhen. Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Linn said Hong Kong and Shenzhen are connected by the river. She expressed her gratitude to all the personnel from Hong Kong and Shenzhen who have participated in the Shenzhen River Regulation project for overcoming numerous challenges together over the years to complete the four-stage river regulation project, resolving the flooding problem and making Shenzhen and Hong Kong better places to live and work. She added that in view of climate change and regional development, both cities should step up the review and planning for the needs for future flood preventive measures, ensuring the regulation works for the Shenzhen River should also progress with the times to meet the needs. Hong Kong has all along taken forward the development of the Northern Metropolis at full steam and a diversified and high-quality boundary control points economic belt will be built. This enables Hong Kong to better integrate into China's overall development. It is expected to bring a new paradigm to both sides of the Shenzhen River in the future. The governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen set up a joint working group on Shenzhen River Regulation in 1982 to resolve the flooding of Shenzhen River. The four-stage regulation project has already been completed in 2017.
Transcript of remarks by SDEV at media session
10.12.2022

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (December 10): Reporter: Could you just briefly explain why you think the streamlined procedures will not undermine the functions of LegCo? Secretary for Development: I truly believe that our streamlined proposals will not pre-empt the power of the Legislative Council (LegCo) in terms of whether or not we should proceed with a particular development project. This is because experience tells us that by the time we approach the LegCo Finance Committee for funding to proceed with the works, by that stage, which is rather a final stage, normally the concerns of the LegCo members will be on technical details, like whether we have sufficient facilities to support the new population, whether the timing of the whole construction schedule is reasonable, and whether we have done our best to respond to the concerns of the local residents affected. These are normally the concerns. And normally, if LegCo members really do not want the government to proceed with a certain development project requiring resumption, they will actually voice out their concerns years before we proceed to that stage of seeking funding approval. For example, if we are going to propose that we are going to develop a new town called Yuen Long South, then a few years before we seek the funding approval for works, we would have gone to the LegCo Development Panel to share with LegCo members our initial idea of the development parameters and how we propose to use the land. And secondly, often we also need their approval for funding for us to proceed with a detailed study when we are talking about a large-scale project. So by the time we approach them on the study, if they really do not want us to proceed, they would already have voiced out their concerns. And most importantly, when we talk about resumption, we have a block vote, that is a vote of funds which the Finance Committee approves each year, for us to deal with compensation, we use that fund to pay out compensation to those affected. And Finance Committee will ask questions on what sort of projects, what sort of resumption projects we have in mind for the next year, so at that point we will also be accountable for what we are going to do, and LegCo members will certainly voice out their objections if they see problems of our proceeding. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Wall Murals Unveiling cum Award Presentation Ceremony of "City Dress-up Design Competition - Flyover Fantasy Re-Run" (with photos)
8.12.2022

The Wall Murals Unveiling cum Award Presentation Ceremony of the "City Dress-up Design Competition - Flyover Fantasy Re-Run", co-organised by the Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, was held today (December 8). The competition is one of the celebration activities for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Participants were invited to design giant murals for the columns under the Kwun Tong Bypass to bring a new look to the public space there. Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said the award-winning entry "Lift Up Kowloon East" injected artistic elements and district characteristics into the public space under the Kwun Tong Bypass, bringing new impetus to community development and helping to transform Kowloon East into a unique core business district full of artistic creativity. Ms Linn added that the Government has made great efforts to enhance the waterfronts on both sides of the Victoria Harbour in recent years. For example, the opening of the Kwun Tong Promenade and the "VESSEL" venues under the Kwun Tong Bypass are well received by the public. In addition, a number of waterfront enhancement projects in Kowloon East will be completed soon, including the footbridge across the Tsui Ping River connecting the Kwun Tong and Cha Kwo Ling waterfronts, which will be open in the first quarter of next year. A 13-kilometre "GreenWay", an inclusive access for pedestrians and cyclists connecting Kai Tak, Kowloon Bay and Kwun Tong is also under planning. The first phase of the "GreenWay", measuring about 7.5km long, is expected to open in stages before the end of next year. The winning entry "Lift Up Kowloon East", consists of 30 sets of giant murals posted on the columns under the Kwun Tong Bypass. The winning team, architect Mr Derrick Leong and designer Ms Annie Long, took characters from different periods and industries in Kowloon East as the design theme, and used the murals to record their work, lives and contributions to the development of Kowloon East. Members of the public can learn about the transformation of Kowloon East and discover different Hong Kong stories by viewing the murals. For details about the works, please visit the website ( www.liftupkowlooneast.com/ ).