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The unusual settlement of Tseung Kwan O (TKO) reclamation has already stabilised in all areas and that all the buildings are structurally safe, according to the Government's investigation findings released today (November 21).

Announcing details of the investigation report at a press conference, Director of Territory Development, Mr Wong Hung-kin, said defects on other facilities were very minor and were being looked after.

"The problem is now over," Mr Wong said.

He said concerned Government departments had checked the foundations of all the existing buildings in the affected areas and confirmed that none were structurally affected by the unusual settlement.

"All existing buildings are safe," he said.

Mr Wong also said there had been no sign of any defect found in any buildings that could be related to the unusual settlement. The Buildings Department has conducted inspections to flats where cracks were reported. But none of these cracks were related to ground settlement.

"We understand that the developers have been carrying out inspections and appropriate repairs to defects," he added.

As to defects, including road subsidence and cracks, caused to other facilities, Mr Wong said these were being rectified by the respective developers or Government maintenance departments.

The Territory Development Department commissioned Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd, to conduct an investigation study in June 1999 after reports of accelerating ground settlement was received in the TKO town centre, Area 86 and the TKO Industrial Estate (TKOIE). Mass Transit Railway Corporation Ltd for development of their railway depot occupies area 86.

The focus of the Government's investigation study is in the town centre area where most of the residential building blocks are located.

In almost all the areas, the highest rate of settlement was recorded in the first six to nine months of 1999.

"Since then, the rate of settlement has decreased substantially," Mr Wong said.

As at October 2000, the settlement in most parts of the town centre has virtually stopped. The rate measured in the other areas indicated that they have already reduced substantially as compared with early 1999.

Mr Wong said the long investigation was totally called for because of the geological complexities in TKO.

"The Government regrets the concerns that have been felt by various residents of TKO, we have worked as quickly as we can to remove their uncertainties and give assurance of the safety of their homes."

Thanking local residents and the community for their patience, tolerance and understanding for the long study, the director said the study was credible, open and unbiased.

"It is scientifically, professionally and impartially conducted through a series of systematic and detailed site investigation, laboratory tests, field instrumentation and a computer model simulating ground water regime," he said.

He said the main cause of the unusual settlement was the unexpected groundwater drawdown in the lower soil strata of TKO reclamation.

"After detailed study and analysis, our consultant has arrived at the view that the only credible cause of the groundwater drawdown is the inflow of water into the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS) tunnel being constructed outside TKO reclamation," Mr Wong said.

But he stressed that ingress of water into the SSDS tunnel has been reduced and would stop after completion of the permanent lining, which had been included in the design of the SSDS Stage I tunnel, at the end of this year.

Thereafter, the groundwater will start to rise again, he said.

"Our investigation consultant concludes that the TKO geology is complex. They further opine that the groundwater drawdown at a great distance from the SSDS tunnel alignment could not have been reasonably foreseen."

The situation was unusual as the tunnel was constructed deep under the sea and far away from the reclamation, he said.

"The complex geology of the area has meant that the investigation has taken longer than we had hoped. However, we can now give the assurance that local residents need. Their homes are safe, the cause of the unusual settlement has been identified and that unusual settlement has ceased," the director said.

Mr Wong also announced that an independent reviewer, Professor N R Morgenstern of the University of Alberta, Canada, had been invited to give an independent view on the investigation report.

Prof Morgenstern, an internationally renowned geotechnical expert, has reviewed the study reports and found that the approach, methodology and analysis employed in the study are objective and reasonable and he agrees with the conclusions drawn by the consultant.

TDD will arrange briefings for the Legislative Council, Sai Kung District Council, other interested groups as well as TKO residents on the findings of the report.

End/Tuesday, November 21, 2000

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