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LCQ15: Development of Areas 40 and 46 in Tuen Mun
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     Following is a question by the Hon Tam Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, in the Legislative Council today (December 10):

Question:

     As Tuen Mun district has a present population of over 500 000 but there are only about 65 000 jobs in the district, the majority of the working persons of the district have to work in other districts. In June 2012, a political party submitted a planning proposal and a study report on Areas 40 and 46 in Tuen Mun (Areas 40 and 46) to the Development Bureau in view of a number of advantages of the two areas, including (i) having a total area of about 27 hectares most of which is government land, (ii) being located at the Tuen Mun end of the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) under construction and (iii) that they will connect TM-CLKL with Tuen Mun Western Bypass. The report proposed that the Government should develop the two areas into a "port economic zone" and an "economic industries base", so as to increase job opportunities in the district. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the latest progress of the consultancy study on the "Planning and Engineering Study for Tuen Mun Areas 40 and 46 and the Adjoining Areas - Feasibility Study" (the consultancy study) jointly commissioned by the Planning Department and the Civil Engineering and Development Department; and the expected time for publication of the results;

(2) whether the Government has included the aforesaid planning proposal on Areas 40 and 46 submitted by the political party in the scope of the consultancy study; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) as the consultancy study includes a two-stage community engagement programme, of the reasons why the Stage 1 Community Engagement originally scheduled to commence in early 2014 has been postponed to commence in early 2015; and the details of the community engagement programme; and

(4) as some members of the public have pointed out that upon the commissioning of TM-CLKL in 2018, Lung Mun Road, which already has very heavy traffic, will be overloaded, whether the Government has considered ways to alleviate the traffic congestion on Lung Mun Road in future, and whether it has explored in the consultancy study the need to build new roads in and introduce major mass transit carriers to Areas 40 and 46; if it has considered, of the details and progress; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     Having consulted the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Planning Department (PlanD) and the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), my consolidated response is as follows:

     Much emphasis has been paid to increasing the employment in the North West New Territories through land use planning. For example, it has been proposed under the Preliminary Outline Development Plan of the Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area Planning and Engineering Study the provision of about 100 000 job opportunities and to create a regional commercial centre in the vicinity of the West Rail Hung Shui Kiu Station.

     For Tuen Mun Areas 40 and 46, upon the commissioning of the "Planning and Engineering Study for Tuen Mun Areas 40 and 46 and the Adjoining Areas - Feasibility Study" (the consultancy study), consideration has been given to the development opportunity arising from the completion of the TM-CLKL and Tuen Mun Western Bypass. Through an appropriate long term development proposal, it is envisaged that the development potential of the area could be better utilised and provide more job opportunities.

     My responses to various parts of the question are as follows:

(1) The consultancy study, commissioned by PlanD and CEDD in May 2013, aims at proposing suitable land uses and development parameters and preparing Recommended Outline Development Plan and layout plans so as to provide guidance for the future development of the study area. Initial land use options are under preparation by the consultants. It is anticipated that the Stage 1 Community Engagement will be held in the second quarter of 2015 to seek public comments on the initial land use options. The whole consultancy study is scheduled for completion by end 2016.

(2) Regarding the development proposal for Tuen Mun Areas 40 and 46 submitted by a political party, it is under careful consideration by the consultants. Other than factors including land uses, traffic, environmental and ecological impacts, in the preparation of the initial land use options, the consultants will also take into account proposals and study reports submitted by various stakeholders, organisations and members of the public, including the Tuen Mun District Council and the locals, with a view to propose suitable land uses and development parameters and best utilisation of the land resources.

(3) During the consultancy study, the Tuen Mun District Council and local residents have provided many valuable comments. They are being examined by the consultants. Thus the study requires longer time than the original schedule. The consultants are trying to complete the study and the preparation of the initial land use options as soon as possible and then proceed to consult the public views under the Stage 1 Community Engagement.

(4) Based on relevant information and assessments of concerned Government departments, the traffic condition at Lung Mun Road, Lung Fu Road and roads in the vicinity will still remain manageable after the opening of TM-CLKL in 2018. Departments concerned will implement traffic improvement measures timely according to the latest planning programme and findings from the related assessments in order to cope with the future traffic demands in Tuen Mun. The departments concerned are also investigating road infrastructures, such as Tuen Mun Western Bypass, to improve the traffic conditions of the area.

Ends/Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:32

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