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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, today (May 12) invited public's views on proposed amendments to the Building Management Ordinance (BMO).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Building Management Resource Centre (BMRC) (New Territories East) (NTE) in Sha Tin, Dr Ho said: "The Government aims to help building owners to help themselves in the management and maintenance of their properties."
The Government has started a consultation exercise on the proposed amendments to the building management legislation.
"We seek to maintain a sound legal framework for the formation and operation of owners' corporations (OCs) to facilitate the management of buildings, and the Home Affairs Department will provide various supportive services, advice and training for the building owners so that they can put good building management into practice," Dr Ho said.
"The proposed amendments aim to facilitate the OCs in the performance of their duties and exercise of powers, to rationalise the appointment procedures of a management committee and its members, and to afford better protection for the interests of building owners," Dr Ho explained.
"The BMO was last amended in 2000 and in drawing up the proposed amendments, we have taken account of the views and suggestions received from the community, including District Councillors, OCs, owners' associations, building owners and tenants, and professional bodies involved in building management.
"We are inviting views and suggestions on the proposals before introducing a bill into the Legislative Council in 2003-04.
"I strongly encourage the active participation of District Councillors, OCs, owners' associations, building owners and residents, professional organisations involved in building management and all interested parties during the consultation exercise so that we can improve on the legislative proposals to better suit the needs of the community," Dr Ho added.
The consultation exercise will end on July 31, 2003. Views and suggestions on the proposals can be sent by post to the Home Affairs Department (Division IV) at 21/F China Overseas Building, 139 Hennessey Road, Wan Chai, or by fax to 2147 0984, or by e-mail to bm_enq@had.gov.hk.
The full consultation paper has been uploaded onto the Home Affairs Department website on building management at www.buildingmgt.gov.hk. Copies of the consultation paper and a leaflet can be obtained from District Offices and BMRCs in Central, Yau Ma Tei, Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin.
Dr Ho said the new BMRC, being the fourth such centre in the territory, will be the focal point in the Eastern New Territories for building owners, residents and OCs to get updated information, training and professional advice on dealing with building management matters of their buildings.
The centre will organise from time to time training courses and workshops on building management. By appointment, volunteer professionals from the seven professional bodies will provide free advice to building owners, residents, OCs and mutual aid committees. The center also has a Cyber Point for internet users.
The BMRC (NTE) is at Room 510, fifth floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, New Territories. To facilitate members of the public, opening hours of the BMRC (NTE) is from 10 am and has extended till 10 pm on Monday and Thursday and it is open till 2 pm on Saturday. The enquiry hotline is 2158 5433 and its email address is bmrc_nte@had.gov.hk.
Dr Ho also noted on the occasion the extension of opening hours of BMRC (Kowloon) located in ground floor, 2 Mau Lam Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. The opening hours of the centre is now from 10 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 6.30 pm on Saturday.
End/Monday, May 12, 2003
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