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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Development Bureau said today (September 9) that the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, pointed out in his blog yesterday that, while the consultation document on the Long Term Housing Strategy focuses on the housing provision target for the next 10 years, land supply requires longer term planning. In quoting views expressed by some participants in forums and seminars that considerations could be given to developing land in country parks when the supply of land is tight and the community's demand for housing is huge, Mr Chan was merely sharing these views expressed by some for the community to think about and to discuss. Those views do not represent the Government's stance.
"The Government has been conducting reviews on various land uses, including sites on short-term tenancies, 'Government, Institution or Community' sites, sites being used by government departments, Green Belt sites, industrial land and sites where the original intended use does not materialise," the spokesman stressed.
At present, about 40 per cent of Hong Kong's land area is covered by country parks. We hereby correct the figure in the Secretary's blog yesterday.
Ends/Monday, September 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:57
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