Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article Government Homepage
LCQ16: The use of sites vacated following demolition of PRH estates
************************************************************

    Following is a question by the Dr Hon Joseph LEE and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (January 18):

Question:

     It has been reported that the Housing Authority has decided to retain the site to be vacated following demolition of the Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate for redevelopment of a public rental housing ("PRH") estate.  In connection with this decision and the use of other sites vacated following demolition of PRH estates, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it has consulted the relevant bodies and assessed the demand for PRH units in the district before making the above decision;

(b) of the current uses of various sites of former PRH estates vacated in the past three years;

(c) whether it has reviewed the uses of such sites in the light of population changes and the demand for PRH units in the respective districts; if it has, how such reviews have been conducted; if not, how mismatch of land resources can be avoided; and

(d) who decides on the uses of such vacated sites; and of the mechanism to be followed, the criteria to be adopted and the factors to be considered in making such decisions?

Reply:

Madam President,

     To improve the living environment for residents of old-style public housing estates, the Housing Authority launched the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme in 1988.  The demolition and redevelopment of Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate is the last project under the Programme.

2. Public rental housing is always in great demand.  At present, there are more than 90 000 applications on the Waiting List.  With limited land resources, the land available for public housing development can just meet the community's demand for public housing within the pledged average waiting time of about three years.  In the circumstances, the sites vacated from the demolition of old public housing estates are mostly retained for public housing development.  

3. The Housing Authority regularly assesses the community's demand for public rental housing and updates the public housing production targets with reference to population growth projection, household composition profile, family income distribution as well as progress of redevelopment and demolition projects.  The demand for public rental housing is assessed having regard to overall demographic changes and not on the basis of individual districts.  

4. My reply to the four-part question is as follows:

(a) Phase 1 of Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate has been demolished and Phase 2 is scheduled for demolition in 2008-09.  The current plan is to use the vacated site for public housing development, with provisions for community facilities like fire station and primary school.  The Housing Authority consulted the Kwun Tong District Council in November 2005 on the development and land uses of Phase 1.  The views collected are now under consideration.  

(b) In the past three years, the Housing Authority has cleared eleven public housing sites, involving six public housing estates and a flatted-factory estate.  Of these eleven sites, seven are used for redevelopment of public rental housing.  The remaining four sites are used for different community facilities: Lam Tin Estate Redevelopment Phase 10 will be developed into local open space, while Sau Mau Ping Redevelopment Phase 11 and Phase 12 will be developed into a primary school and district open space respectively.  In addition, Tai Hang Tung Redevelopment Phase R1 will be developed into district open space.  Details are set out at the Annex.

(c) Having regard to prevailing Government policies and changes in demographic profiles and the community, the Planning Department draws up and adjusts the strategy and blueprint for land development.  It strives to make the best use of available land in line with the development strategy of Hong Kong as a whole and of individual districts, catering to residentsˇ¦ needs.  For sites earmarked for public housing development, in view of the communityˇ¦s pressing demand for public rental housing and limited land supply, to avoid mismatch of resources, the Housing Authority will in the project planning stage assess future population intake and the needs of residents.  The views of the District Council concerned will also be sought for better understanding of local aspirations so that proper provisions can be made for community facilities and open space.

(d) There is an internal co-ordination mechanism within the Government to monitor the land supply for public housing and to examine the most suitable uses for sites vacated from clearance of public housing estates.  In formulating the clearance and redevelopment arrangements, the Housing Department will, together with the Planning Department and the Lands Department, and in consultation with Government departments responsible for providing community facilities like the Social Welfare Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, make a decision on land use and overall planning, taking account of the development needs of the community and the demand for public housing.

Ends/Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Issued at HKT 13:57

NNNN

Print this page