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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
Fourteen new public housing estates will proudly showcase the gardening skills of its community members. The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (Saturday) rolled out a new initiative under its Community Participation Scheme, whereby participants help nurse seedling plants that will become part of the estates' green landscape.
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Community Participation Scheme - Action Seedling, Ms Ada Fung, Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction) said that the programme served to further strengthen community partnership, and encouraged contractors to assume greater social responsibilites.
"Fourteen new estates due for completion in the next two years will benefit from the green efforts of its community members. The HA, its building contractors and horticulture contractors will give out seedling plants to those interested through Estate Management Advisory Committees, as well as schools and community organizations in the neighbourhood. On completion of the construction work, these seedlings will be ready for transplanting into the planters," remarked Ms Fung.
The fourteen estates are located in various districts, including Sha Tin, Shau Kei Wan, Wong Tai Sin, Kwai Chung, Fanling, Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong and Tin Shui Wai.
Ms Fung added, "We hope Action Seedling will not only live up to its name, that is to give us all a pleasant, green environment to live in, but will also foster a sense of belonging among the tenants and community members. Our contractors will be happy to take advantage of this opportunity to assume more social responsibilities."
"The HA always encourages its contractors to maintain a good relationship with the local community. Many of our construction sites have been presented the annual Considerate Contractors Site Awards," she said.
The HA introduced the Community Participation Scheme to engage its tenants, contractors and the local community in the planning, design and construction stages of public housing projects. Activities such as workshops and mural painting have been organized to afford the community different channels to express their views and visions in respect of their neighbourhood's development.
Ends/Saturday, June 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:45
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