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The Government served notices today (August 24) to the occupiers of Tsz Tin Tsuen in Tuen Mun Area 54 Site 2, informing them that the Government would clear the site on September 9, 2010.
The site is required for the construction of about 5,000 public rental housing flats for completion by 2016 to meet the Housing Authority's housing programme.
A government spokesman said: "All statutory procedures for the clearance operation have been duly taken. All the affected lots were resumed either under Lands Resumption Ordinance or Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance and reverted to the Government on July 17, 2009. Clearance notices were first posted on July 2, 2010, requiring the occupiers to cease occupation before August 3, 2010.
"Clearance action was launched on August 3, 2010. To allow more time for the occupiers to prepare for removal, the Government has so far only taken action to repossess vacant premises where the occupiers have agreed to move out before the clearance date.
"However, for the timely production of about 5,000 public rental housing flats by 2016, there can be no more delay in taking over the site," the spokesman said.
In accordance with prevailing compensation policy for land resumption, the Government, as an alternative to statutory compensation, has offered ex-gratia compensation at a rate of $474 per square foot to 69 former land owners affected by this project.
So far, 37 former land owners have accepted the Government's offers. Discussions with the remaining 32 former land owners are still going on.
Rehousing or ex-gratia allowance have also been offered to the 49 eligible households and six business undertakings of Tsz Tin Tsuen according to the established policy.
The spokesman stressed that there was no possibility of making an increase in the ex-gratia compensation rate. Neither would it be possible to defer the clearance as the housing project was already behind schedule.
"Any further delay would have an adverse impact on the three-year average waiting time for those on the public housing waiting list," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:45
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