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The Lantau Development Task Force, under the chairmanship of the Financial Secretary, held its first meeting today (February 13).
The Task Force comprises senior officials from policy bureaux and departments involved in land use planning, economic and infrastructural development, and environmental protection.
As foreshadowed in the 2004 Policy Address, the Task Force will provide high-level policy steer on the economic and infrastructural development of Lantau with a view to ensuring smooth implementation of various projects in a sustainable manner.
As a start, the Task Force will draw up a development concept plan for Lantau. The development concept plan, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2004, will be put to public consultation to gauge public views on the various development proposals in the plan. Subject to public views received, the relevant bureaux and departments will conduct feasibility studies on individual development proposals, including impact assessments in respect of the environment, transport and supporting infrastructure, etc.
The Task Force has initially identified a few key development proposals in Lantau. They include a Value Added Logistics Park in Tai Ho, a tourism node in Sunny Bay, possible leisure and recreational development in Chi Ma Wan and North East Lantau respectively.
In particular, the Task Force has agreed that the proposed Value Added Logistics Park should be taken forward as soon as possible, as it would enhance Hong Kong's capability to provide 'one-stop' integrated logistics services and reinforce our status as the premier international logistics hub in Asia. A working group, to be led by the Economic Development and Labour Bureau, with support from relevant departments, will be formed to fast-track the implementation of the project.
Together with other planned projects in Lantau, such as the Disneyland, the Tung Chung Cable Car and the HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Task Force foresees that the Lantau will become a focus of environmentally sustainable economic infrastructural developments in the coming decade.
The Task Force will meet every three months to provide the necessary steer to the on-going work.
The terms of reference of the Task Force are:
(a) provide a planning framework to ensure a balanced and co-ordinated approach is taken for the planned developments in Lantau;
(b) ensure the provision of the necessary land and infrastructure in good time;
(c) determine the suitable mode of development for each of the planned projects; and
(d) monitor the progress of each of the projects to ensure their timely delivery.
The membership of the Task Force is as follows:
Chairman
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Financial Secretary
Members
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Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands
Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Permanent Secretary for Economic Development
Permanent Secretary for Planning and Lands
Permanent Secretary for Works
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Transport
Director of Planning
Director of Territory Development
Director of Lands
Commissioner for Tourism
Director of Civil Engineering (on a need basis)
Director of Environmental Protection (on a need basis)
Director of Highways (on a need basis)
Commissioner for Transport (on a need basis)
Co-opted members
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Director-General of Investment Promotion
Director-General of Civil Aviation
Director of Marine
Secretary
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Principal Assistant Secretary (Planning & Lands)2, Housing, Planning & Lands Bureau
Ends/Friday, February 13, 2004
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