At its meeting today (June 14), the Land and Development Advisory Committee (LDAC) was briefed by the Development Bureau (DEVB) on two applications under the facilitation scheme for provision of pedestrian links by the private sector in areas outside Kowloon East (the Scheme). The applications involve the provision of two footbridges and a subway in Kowloon Bay and Wan Chai. The LDAC was also consulted by the Task Force on Land Supply (TFLS) in the context of the public engagement (PE) exercise on land supply.
 
     Members reaffirmed the benefits brought about by the Scheme through providing 24-hour barrier-free pedestrian links for the community. Members offered their comments on the two applications (location plans are in the Annex), and considered that both applications facilitated walkability. Taking into account assessment results based on the Scheme's established evaluation mechanism, Members generally supported the DEVB's recommendations to waive the premium payable for lease modifications arising from the construction of the three proposed pedestrian links under the two applications. With the LDAC's support, the recommendations for premium waiver will be duly submitted to the Executive Council for consideration.
 
     Members were also briefed by the TFLS on the 18 land supply options and related issues put forward to the community in the five-month PE exercise that started on April 26, 2018. Members expressed their appreciation and support of the TFLS' work, and shared their views and observations on various short-to-medium, medium-to-long and conceptual options, as well as on the overall PE arrangements and the follow-up. The TFLS took note of Members' valuable views and will consider them when preparing its recommendations to be submitted to the Government, tentatively by the end of 2018.

Ends/Thursday, June 14, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:45

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