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At its meeting today (March 25), the Land and Development Advisory Committee (LDAC) was briefed on the 2013-14 Budget initiatives concerning the Development Bureau (DEVB), the Hong Kong Property for Hong Kong People (HKPHKP) measure and Stage 2 Public Engagement (PE) on Enhancing Land Supply Strategy: Reclamation outside Victoria Harbour and Rock Cavern Development.
Members were briefed on the implementation details of the HKPHKP measure. The objective of the measure is to give priority to Hong Kong permanent residents in making use of the scarce land resource for residential development. Under the measure, residential flats constructed on selected government sites can only be sold to Hong Kong permanent residents who hold a valid permanent identity card. Such a restriction is applicable to sale to first-hand buyers and subsequent buyers and is implemented through land lease conditions for a period of 30 years from the date of relevant land grants. The two Kai Tak sites selected for applying the HKPHKP measure will be tendered on March 28.
Members generally supported the objective of the HKPHKP measure in giving priority to Hong Kong permanent residents in developing residential flats. Members also highlighted the need for the Administration to step up publicity and proactively communicate with developers, legal sector and estate agencies on the relevant requirements and procedures under the measure.
Members were also briefed on the Stage 2 PE on Enhancing Land Supply Strategy: Reclamation outside Victoria Harbour and Rock Cavern Development, which was launched on March 21. Members noted the result of the Stage 1 PE that the public generally supported the multi-pronged approach for enhancing land supply and considered the impacts on local communities and the environment the most important among all site selection criteria. Five potential reclamation sites and three pilot schemes of rock cavern development proposed in the Stage 2 PE, including their opportunities and challenges, and the proposed way forward were presented to seek members' views.
Members concurred on the importance of building up land reserve for the future development needs of Hong Kong. They agreed in principle that reclamation and rock cavern development would help increase land supply and supported the Administration to press ahead with further detailed studies to explore the potential of developing reclamation and rock cavern sites. Meanwhile, members suggested that the Administration should actively engage the community in the Stage 2 PE and explain clearly to the public the need and objective of reclamation and rock cavern development.
In addition, members were briefed on the key initiatives in the 2013-14 Budget relating to the DEVB. Members agreed that the Government should continue its efforts in enhancing vocational training for the construction industry, investing in infrastructure, stabilising land supply and increasing residential and commercial land.
Ends/Monday, March 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 23:18
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