LCQ4: Retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities at public markets
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Question:
At present, where the management consultative committee and a specified percentage of the tenants (the threshold) of a public market (including cooked food centre) under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have pledged their support for retrofitting an air-conditioning system at the market, FEHD will conduct a technical feasibility study on the relevant works. The threshold was lowered from 85 per cent to 80 per cent in July 2015. Shui Wo Street Market Cooked Food Centre had obtained a tenant support rate of not less than 85 per cent before the threshold was lowered, and Ngau Chi Wan Market Cooked Food Centre and Ngau Tau Kok Market Cooked Food Centre have already obtained a support rate of 100 per cent and 90 per cent respectively. The tenants of these markets have complained about the slow progress of the air-conditioning system retrofitting works. They are worried that the hot and stuffy environment of the markets during summer time will deter customers from visiting the markets, thus affecting the livelihood of the tenants. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the latest progress of the works for retrofitting air-conditioning systems at the aforesaid three market cooked food centres; whether there are specific implementation schemes; if so, of the arrangements, costs, implementation schedules and anticipated completion dates of the works; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) according to the authorities' latest assessment, whether the aforesaid three market cooked food centres need to be closed partially or completely for the works to proceed; of the measures in place to reduce the impact of the works on the tenants; whether it will provide assistance or compensation to the tenants during the period when the works are carried out; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it has reviewed the reasons for the slow progress of the air-conditioning system retrofitting works at some markets, and of the measures that may expedite the progress of the works?
Reply:
President,
According to the established mechanism, when there is a request from market tenants for the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities at a public market, the request will first be discussed at a meeting of the relevant Market Management Consultative Committee (MMCC). Where a consensus is reached by MMCC that the request should be further explored, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will conduct a questionnaire survey to gauge the extent of support from market tenants. If there is sufficient tenant support, a technical feasibility study will be conducted. Taking into consideration factors such as the findings of the technical feasibility study, extent of works required, cost effectiveness, impact on business and market operation, and whether the implementation details are acceptable to the tenants concerned, the Government will decide whether there is a case for seeking funds to carry out the works for retrofitting air-conditioners.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) and (2) Shui Wo Street Market Cooked Food Centre started its operation in May 1988. It had already obtained sufficient tenant support for the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities before the lowering of the threshold on July 1, 2015. However, there is insufficient electricity supply to operate the proposed air-conditioning system. After preliminary assessment, it was proposed to permanently close some stalls to free up space to install the required electrical facilities, and to temporarily close the entire cooked food centre for carrying out the relevant works. The proposal was strongly objected by the tenants. In the meantime, FEHD had installed 14 evaporative air coolers in the cooked food centre to improve the ventilation. After various rounds of discussion between FEHD and the tenants, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) later made site visits with the China Light and Power Company Limited in August and September 2016. Based on a preliminary assessment, it is anticipated that the works will involve the permanent removal of four stalls for building a new plant room. FEHD consulted the relevant MMCC on December 28, 2016 and will continue to liaise with the tenants to gauge their views.
Ngau Tau Kok Market Cooked Food Centre had already obtained sufficient tenant support for the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities after the lowering of the threshold on July 1, 2015. ArchSD already commissioned a preliminary feasibility assessment on the retrofitting of air-conditioners, and the consultancy's initial assessment report was submitted in December 2016. FEHD is now examining the report with a view to consulting the relevant MMCC in the first quarter of 2017.
Ngau Chi Wan Market Cooked Food Centre had already obtained sufficient tenant support for the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities after the lowering of the threshold on July 1, 2015. However, the support rate of the market on G/F and 1/F could not reach the threshold. FEHD has started following up the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities in the cooked food centre. As the relevant MMCC had passed a motion in October 2016 calling for a new round of questionnaire survey on the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities on G/F and 1/F, FEHD conducted another survey in December 2016. The questionnaires collected are now being processed. If the overall support tenant rate (including the market and the cooked food centre) reaches 80 per cent or above of the threshold, FEHD will liaise with ArchSD to conduct a preliminary feasibility assessment for the market and the cooked food centre, and will consult the relevant MMCC in due course. Moreover, we are of the view that, if the overall support rate exceeds the threshold, carrying out the retrofitting works for the market and cooked food centre concurrently instead of separately will enhance effectiveness and cause less disruption to tenants.
In general, if it is decided that the proposed air-conditioning retrofitting works should proceed, we will, in the light of the possible temporary suspension of business of individual tenants arising from the works, consider providing support as appropriate, for example rental waiver during the temporary suspension of business.
(3) Since the establishment of FEHD, the air-conditioning retrofitting works of four markets and cooked food centres have been completed. The duration of these retrofitting works in those days was about 12 months. The steps taken prior to commencing the works included:
(a) conducting technical feasibility studies, carrying out overall assessments of the retrofitting works, and seeking funding for the works; and
(b) co-ordinating views and consensus of tenants, so as to strike a balance among the interests of various stakeholders, including those who are not in favour of the proposal.
Moreover, the technical considerations vary greatly among individual public markets, cooked food centres and cooked food markets, for example, whether the existing design and layout allow sufficient space and headroom for the new plant rooms, allow sufficient structural loading of buildings, and allow the installation of transformer rooms and relevant ducting, and whether the retrofitting works are cost-effective. Besides, another consideration is whether other implementation details (such as the duration of market closure due to retrofitting works, the number of stalls that may have to be removed, business disruption to tenants due to the works involved, etc.) are acceptable to the tenants concerned. The above factors are all crucial for determining whether the retrofitting works can be commenced and whether more time is required for completion of the works.
FEHD will continue to study with ArchSD the feasible options for shortening the lead time required for the air-conditioning retrofitting works.
Ends/Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:35
Issued at HKT 15:35
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