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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, visited Eastern District this afternoon (August 9) to gain a better understanding of building management of private residential buildings.
The Eastern District is the most densely populated district in the urban area. There are about 1,700 private buildings, including big housing estates and buildings more than 30 years old.
Accompanied by the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, and the Eastern District Officer, Mr Herman Cho, the Chief Executive first visited Harmony Garden in Siu Sai Wan, a housing estate built under the Private Sector Participation Scheme.
Mr Tsang met the chairman of the owners' corporation (OC) and members of the management committee. He heard about the difficulties encountered by flat owners in forming an OC and the assistance they received from the District Office. Mr Tsang commended them for their dedication to the formation and operation of OC. He pointed out that active participation and support from flat owners were also vital to effective building management.
"The Government encourages and assists property owners to form OCs to manage their private properties more effectively," he said.
"However, the formation of an OC is only the first step. Owners should not rely solely on the work of a few devoted office holders of the OC. They should take the initiative to participate, promote and monitor the work of building management. There are many things they can do. They can pay more attention to the building's notice board to better understand the OC operation. They can also actively attend owners' meetings to give their views to the OC and management committee."
The Chief Executive then visited Continental Mansion in North Point to listen to the experience of the OC in co-ordinating large-scale maintenance works.
Continental Mansion is a 40-year-old commercial and residential building. In 1999, its OC launched a five-year maintenance works project in response to the orders given by a number of government departments.
Mr Tsang was pleased to see that building safety, the outer appearance and the environmental hygiene of the building had greatly improved after the completion of maintenance works, creating a safe and clean living environment for the residents.
The OC consulted owners from time to time through meetings and notices during the course of the maintenance works. It also took the initiative to contact relevant government departments to ensure that the maintenance works were done in accordance with legal requirements. The maintenance was completed without any complaints from the owners or government departments.
"The success of the maintenance works fully demonstrated a dedicated collaboration as well as mutual understanding and accommodation between the OC and flat owners. It sets a good example for other OCs," Mr Tsang said.
The Chief Executive then toured the Hong Kong Aquarium Plaza in Quarry Bay. The aquarium plaza, accommodating more than 60 aquarium shops, was opened last month. It is the first shopping arcade in Hong Kong using aquarium as the theme.
Mr Tsang appreciated the theme of the aquarium plaza. "Hong Kong people are known for their quick response and business creativity. With an innovative theme, the shopping arcade has already become a popular tourist spot in the district."
Ends/Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:43
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