Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Friday, September 19, 1997 CONTENTS ======== 1. CE meets financial leaders from overseas 2. Funding for contribution to ADF approved by PLC 3. Latest foreign exchange reserves figure released 4. Lantau Link Visitors Centre closed on Sunday afternoon 5. Traffic arrangements for World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings 6. Fee revisions for building related regulations 7. Consultants to study building inspection plan 8. New Integrated Service Project introduced for new arrivals 9. Call for community care for elderly 10. Employers and outstanding disabled employees commended 11. Ping Shek Public Transport Interchange proposed 12. More facilities in Tung Chung 13. Draft Lau Fau Shan/Tsim Bei Tsui and Ping Shan OZP 14. Maintenance of marine facilities 15. More leisure facilities in Tin Shui Wai 16. Building management seminar in Sha Tin 17. FSD provides quality ambulance services 18. Deadline for lodging proposal to alter the Govt Rent Roll 19. Gradings of beach water quality announced 20. Fresh water cut in Tsuen Wan and Western District 1. CE meets financial leaders from overseas **************************************** The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, met the President of the World Bank Group, Mr James Wolfensohn, today (Friday) as Hong Kong gears up for the World Bank/International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings. He also met the Australian Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, and the German Federal Minister of Finance, Dr Theodor Waigel, later in the afternoon. Mr Tung said that the choice of Hong Kong as the venue for the World Bank/International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings had reflected international confidence in the territory and underlined Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre. "Hong Kong's success story is not one about luck but about Hong Kong people's tenacity to advance. To meet the challenges ahead, we are vigorously upgrading our human resources and our physical and economic structure. "We are determined to maintain Hong Kong as a premier international financial centre with a top-class workforce and state-of-the-art technology to meet the challenges of the next millennium," the Chief Executive said. End 2. Funding for contribution to ADF approved by PLC *********************************************** A Government spokesman today (Friday) welcomes the Finance Committee of the Provisional Legislative Council's funding approval for Hong Kong's contribution of US$15.39 million to the sixth replenishment of the Asian Development Fund (ADF) or ADF VII over four years. As requested by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Hong Kong will make payments over four years evenly, i.e. a contribution of about US$3.85 million each year from 1997 to 2000. ADB was founded in 1966. It is an international development finance institution for the Asian and Pacific region. Hong Kong has been a member since 1969. ADF was established in June 1974 by the ADB to provide concessionary lending to the most needy members countries. On September 2, 1997, the Chief Executive in Council decided that Hong Kong should contribute its full share of US$15.39 million to ADF VII. The spokesman said: "Hong Kong's contribution is a solid demonstration of our support of the ADB in its efforts to help the most needy members to achieve sustainable growth and development. "It is also consistent with our overall stance to support development efforts in the region." Hong Kong contributed to the three previous replenishments in 1983, 1987 and 1992. Korea has pledged to contribute US$54.3 million, Taipei, China US$14.6 million and Malaysia US$10 million. Indonesia has not been requested by the ADB to make contributions but has voluntarily pledged to donate US$10 million. End 3. Latest foreign exchange reserves figure released ************************************************ The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (Friday) that the official foreign exchange reserves of Hong Kong, including those held in the Land Fund, were US$85.3 billion at the end of August 1997 (end-July: US$81.7 billion), placing Hong Kong at the fourth position in world ranking, up from fifth position. As at end of August, the foreign reserves held in the Exchange Fund were US$69.5 billion (end-July: US$66.1 billion) and those in the Land Fund were US$15.8 billion (end-July: US$15.6 billion). The increase in the Exchange Fund foreign reserves was due to substantial placements by the Government during the month of August being used to settle forward purchases of foreign exchange. Including outstanding forward transactions, the foreign reserves held in the Exchange Fund and the Land Fund were US$69.6 billion and US$15.9 billion respectively. Exchange Fund Foreign Currency Assets (US$ billion) Excluding Net Including forward forward forward transactions transactions transactions March 95 52.4 (0.2) 52.2 June 95 53.6 - 53.6 September 95 51.8 2.8 54.6 December 95 55.4 1.8 57.2 March 96 58.1 1.7 59.8 June 96 57.3 2.7 60.0 September 96 55.4 6.7 62.1 December 96 63.8 5.7 69.6 January 97 65.9 5.2 71.1 February 97 63.8 4.3 68.1 March 97 63.4 4.3 67.7 April 97 63.6 4.0 67.6 May 97 66.6 1.8 68.4 June 97 67.6 2.1 69.7 July 97 66.1 2.5 68.6 August 97 69.5 0.1 69.6 Foreign Exchange Reserves Ranking 1. Japan US$222 billion Jul 97 2. China US$126 billion Jul 97 3. Taiwan US$89 billion Jul 97 4. Hong Kong US$85 billion Aug 97 5. Germany US$83 billion Jul 97 6. Singapore US$80 billion Jul 97 7. US US$68 billion Jul 97 8. Spain US$65 billion Jul 97 9. Brazil US$60 billion Jul 97 10. Italy US$51 billion Jul 97 Source: HKMA, IFS, Reuters End 4. Lantau Link Visitors Centre closed on Sunday afternoon ****************************************************** The Lantau Link Visitors Centre and the viewing platform at the North West Tsing Yi Interchange will be closed from 12.30 pm to 5 pm on Sunday (September 21). The service of the KMB route 243R running from Cheung Sha Wan to the Centre will be suspended during this period. The last bus will leave Cheung Sha Wan at 11 am and the Centre at 12.25 pm respectively. The car park adjacent to the Centre will be closed for several hours. All cars will have to leave the car park by 12.30 pm and no car will be allowed to enter the car park after 11.30 am. The Visitors Centre and the car park will be reopened after 5 pm. Members of the public who wish to view the Lantau Link from a vantage point this Sunday afternoon may visit the Airport Core Programme Exhibition Centre at Ting Kau which is open from 10 am to 6.30 pm. End 5. Traffic arrangements for World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings ******************************************************* The Transport Department today (Friday) reminds the public that special traffic arrangements have been implemented in Wan Chai to facilitate the holding of 1997 World Bank/International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings. (A) Traffic arrangements ************************ The east and west bridges leading to the entrance of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Phase II have been closed to all traffic, except authorised vehicles with permits, until 11.59 pm on September 25. Fleming Road Flyover northbound between Lockhart Road and Harbour Road is restricted to buses and taxis only. All other vehicles are temporarily prohibited to use the northbound carriageway of the flyover. At the same time, the U-turning movement from Fleming Road northbound to southbound at its junction with Convention Avenue is banned. Motorists can route via Lockhart Road, Arsenal Street, Gloucester Road and Fleming Road or Tonnochy Road. Motorists on Fleming Road heading for Wan Chai North are advised to use Gloucester Road, O'Brien Road, Lockhart Road and Marsh Road. Motorists on Hennessy Road can use either Arsenal Street or Marsh Road for Wan Chai North. Convention Avenue and Harbour Road, both sections between Fleming Road and Fenwick Street, have been re-routed from two-way to one-way eastbound and one-way westbound respectively. During the re-routing, right-turn movements for all vehicles from Convention Avenue onto Fleming Road southbound and then onto Harbour Road westbound are allowed, forming a simple gyratory system in a clockwise direction through Convention Avenue, Fleming Road and Harbour Road. Vehicles from Central are advised to use Gloucester Road and Fleming Road or Tonnochy Road for Wan Chai North. Vehicles on Fenwick Pier Street will be diverted via Fenwick Pier Street, Convention Avenue, Fleming Road and Harbour Road eastbound. Vehicles on Convention Avenue westbound heading for Central will be diverted to route via Fleming Road and Harbour Road westbound. The restrictions on Fleming Road Flyover, Fleming Road, Covention Avenue and Harbour Road will be lifted from 7 am on September 26. (B) Temporary clearways arrangements ************************************ Picking up and setting down of passengers are allowed on the following sections of roads in Wan Chai from 2 pm on September 13 to 7 am on September 26: * The northern kerbside lane of Harbour Road from its junction with Fleming Road to the slip road leading to HKCEC; * The lay-by on Harbour Road outside Shui On Centre and Wan Chai Tower; and * The southern kerbside lane of Convention Avenue outside Grand Hyatt Hotel and New World Harbour View Hotel. However, to ensure effective traffic management, the following sections of roads have been designated temporary clearways during the period specified below from 10 am on September 13 to 7 am on September 26: * From 7 am to 7 pm daily a) The northern kerbside lane of Hennessy Road from its junction with Marsh Road to a point about 40 metres west of the same junction; and b) The northern kerbside lane of Lockhart Road from its junction with Stewart Road to a point about 40 metres west of the same junction. * 24 hours daily a) The southern kerbside lane of Convention Avenue from a point about 25 metres east of its junction with the West Bridge leading to HKCEC Phase II to a point about 60 metres east of the same junction. (C) Public transport arrangements ********************************* On public transport, the bus terminus, taxi stand and coach parking spaces at HKCEC Phase II Transport Interchange have been suspended until 11.59 pm on September 25. The terminus of China Motor Bus (CMB) route no. 25M is temporarily relocated to Wan Chai Ferry Pier Bus Terminus. Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) route no. A2 on its Kowloon bound journeys has been diverted to operate via Fleming Road, Wan Chai Ferry Pier Bus Terminus, Fleming Road, Harbour Road westbound, Convention Avenue, Fleming Road and Harbour Road eastbound before resuming its normal routeings. The existing bus stop for route no. A2 on Harbour Road eastbound near HKCEC is relocated to Harbour Road westbound outside Central Plaza. The existing bus stop for route nos. 18, 88, 300 and 621 on Harbour Road westbound outside Causeway Centre is relocated to the lay-by outside China Resources Building. The affected bus routes will resume normal services from 7 am on September 26. Citybus route nos. 37B, 75, 90 and 97, CMB route nos. 94X and 590 on their journeys to Southern District will be diverted from September 20 to 25 to operate via Hennessy Road, Fenwick Street southbound, Johnston Road eastbound before resuming their normal routeings. The existing bus stops for these bus routes on sections of Hennessy Road and Fleming Road will be relocated to 101 and 155 Johnston Road. (D) Suspension of parking spaces ******************************** The metered parking spaces on the northern kerbside lane of Lockhart Road between Fleming Road and Stewart Road have been suspended temporarily until 7 am on September 26. End 6. Fee revisions for building related regulations ********************************************** Fee prescribed under a new registration system for building contractors under the Building (Administration)(Amendment)(No.2) Regulation 1997 is gazetted today (Friday). A Government spokesman said that the Regulation was made by the Chief Executive in Council to prescribe mainly fees relating to the new registration system for general building contractors and specialist contractors, which are planned for implementation in October 1997 and March 1998 respectively. At present, contractors are classified into registered contractors and registered ventilation contractors. Under the new registration system, contractors are better classified into registered general building contractors and registered specialist contractors who in turn are further classified into different types of specialist contractors. "By setting out clear requirements such as their qualifications, competence and experience, the new registration system aims at ensuring the standards of registered building contractors," the spokesman added. At the same time, the Building (Administration) (Amendment)(No.3) Regulation 1997 and the Building (Oil Storage Installations) (Amendment) Regulation 1997 are also gazetted. These Regulations will revise the fees for the grant and renewal of an oil storage installation licence, the inspection of completed building works or street works and the provision of a certified copy of a building plan. The spokesman said that the fees under the three Amendment Regulations are all set at levels sufficient to recover the full costs of providing the services. The fees relating to the registration of specialist contractors are planned to take effect from March 1998 to tie in with the implementation of the new registration system. The other fee items will be effective from October 31, 1997. The three Amendment Regulations will be tabled in the Provisional Legislative Council on September 27, 1997. End 7. Consultants to study building inspection plan ********************************************* The Buildings Department will commission a consultancy firm to study the engineering issues of the Building Safety Inspection Scheme (BSIS) and to make recommendations on its mandatory implementation. A spokesman for the department said today (Friday) that the firm would be required to draft a Code of Practice on the standard of inspection, assessment and repair of buildings for use by building professionals. "The Code of Practice will focus on three commonest problems of building safety - the integrity of external wall finishes, the structural stability and the adequacy of means of escape" the spokesman said. "The study, to be completed in 12 months, also aims to set up a management information system and computer database for the department to facilitate effective operation of the scheme," he added. The mandatory phase of the BSIS will impose a legal responsibility on building owners to have their property regularly inspected, maintained and repaired to ensure safety of occupants and the public. Details of tender invitation for the consultancy study are contained in the Government Gazette published today. Copies of the consultancy brief can be obtained until October 3 from the Chief Structural Engineer of the Buildings Department, 16th floor, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Kowloon. Proposals should be returned by hand to the department on or before October 9, 1997. End 8. New Integrated Service Project introduced for new arrivals ****************************************************** **** A specially-designed Integrated Service Project will be introduced in November this year on a district basis for newly arrived families and their children from the mainland to help them integrate into the community as quickly and smoothly as possible, the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, said today (Friday). Speaking at a press conference to announce the new project, Mrs Lau said the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust(HKJCCT) has accepted the Steering Committee on New Arrivals' recommendation to donate $12.94 million in support of the Integrated Service Project for New Arrivals to be launched by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG). "The project will establish a service network whereby a wide range of guidance, counselling, referral services and group activities will be provided for newly arrived children and their families," said Mrs Lau. At the press conference, Director of Charities and Corporate Secretariat of the HKJCCT, Mr David Yau, said: "I am sure we all appreciate how difficult it can be to live in a new environment, with different dialects, schools, job market and being away from our friends and relatives. How much more difficult it would be for the less well-to-do families with young children, which is the case for many of the new arrivals from the mainland. "Trustees of the HKJCCT have long noted with concern the problems facing these new arrivals. They strongly feel that new arrivals should be provided with early assistance to settle in the local community as smoothly and quickly as possible," added Mr Yau. The Executive Director of the HKFYG, Ms Rosanna Wong, said at the press conference that the HKFYG has long been concerned with young new arrivals from the mainland and how they integrate into the local community. Ms Wong said: "We hope to provide a link between the families in need and the social services in the community and to channel the children and young people of these families to youth activities run by our Federation." Outlining the details of the new project, Ms Wong said that the major targets of the Project are those families and their children who have arrived in Hong Kong for less than one year as well as those who have arrived here for less than three years but are still encountering adaptation difficulties. Ms Wong said: "The three-year Project will be first introduced in Kowloon City and Tsuen Wan districts which have a high population of new arrivals. A launching ceremony of the Project in Kowloon City will be held in early November this year. "It is expected that a total of 1,200 families and 2,000 children and youths from these families will benefit from the project each year. "Professional social workers will treat the whole family as a unit. They will assist each family to identify its needs and provide information about the services required. "With the support of the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the generous funding from HKJCCT, we believe that this group of new arrivals can be adequately assisted in their assimilation and become valuable human resources to our society," added Ms Wong. The Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, also paid tribute to HKJCCT for its funding support for the new project. Mrs Lau said: "In the past two years, we have forged a real partnership with non-government organisations (NGOs). Through the concerted efforts at both the central and district levels, our services have been able to reach every new arrival who is in need of assistance on an early integration into the community. "Apart from HKFYG, similar applications from other NGOs have also been submitted to the HKJCCT for consideration. It is indeed encouraging to see that provision of services for new arrivals have become a community effort." HAD is tasked with the responsibility for monitoring and assessing the services provided for new arrivals from the mainland and playing a vital co-ordination role in easing their process of integration. "We will continue to encourage NGOs to formulate and implement new initiatives to help new arrivals," said Mrs Lau. A cheque-presentation ceremony was held during which Mr David Yau, Director of Charities and Corporate Secretariat of HKJCCT, presented a cheque for $12.94 million to HKFYG's Executive Director, Ms Rosanna Wong. End 9. Call for community care for elderly *********************************** The Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Mr Tam Yiu- chung, today (Friday) called on the community to respect the elderly and to establish a helpful and caring community. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the issue of the 500,000th Senior Citizen Card organised by the Social Welfare Department, Mr Tam said he was delighted to see, and moved by, the enthusiastic response and support to the scheme from all levels of people in the community. "With this in mind, it gives me full confidence on the development of elderly services," he said. He said the meaningful scheme would encourage Government departments, public utility organisations and commercial firms to provide various concessionary and priority services for our senior citizens. "But more important, it encourages the community to give more respect and care to the elderly in return to their valuable contribution to the society in the past days," he added. He noted that about 960 organisations with 2,850 branches had joined the scheme. They include Government departments, public utility and transport organisations, continuing education, clinics, banks, community service groups, chained shops, restaurants, laundries and dispensaries. The scheme was also boosted by 750 elderly ambassadors, district boards, elderly centres, residents groups and services units of the Social Welfare Department. Speaking at the same ceremony, the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Andrew Leung Kin-pong, pointed out that more and more kaifong and home-typed firms had been joining the scheme providing benefits to the elderly. He said the Government had planned to commission a consultant firm to conduct a study on the Senior Citizen Scheme in the coming months to enhance the effectiveness of the card. He thanked all elderly people and firms who supported the scheme. Twenty-one new card holders from the 500,000th to the 500,020th were presented gifts donated by several firms. The grand prize went to the 65-year-old woman Cheung Pui-yung, who was the 500,000th card holder. Madam Cheung from Southern District of Hong Kong Island was awarded 10 prizes amounting to $10,000. End 10. Employers and outstanding disabled employees commended ****************************************************** Ten open-minded employers and 12 outstanding disabled employees were commended today (Friday) at the Presentation of Souvenirs Ceremony of the Outstanding Disabled Employees Award (ODEA) 1997. Organised by the Selective Placement Division (SPD) of the Labour Department, the award was an annual event which aimed at praising employers who had made special efforts in employing people with a disability and to disabled employees who had demonstrated exemplary performance at work. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Acting Commissioner for Labour, Mr Lee Kai-fat, noted that the SPD had successfully placed more than 16,800 job seekers with a disability in gainful employment over the past 17 years. "The success of our work depends largely on the co- operation and participation of employers, rehabilitation service agencies, people with a disability as well as the support of the community," he said. "I appeal to all of you for your continuous support to achieve the ultimate goal of 'Together We Strive for Equal opportunities, Together We Work for a Better Tomorrow'." At the ceremony, Mr Lee presented awards to the enlightened employers while another officiating guest, the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Dr Wu Wai- yung, presented awards to the outstanding disabled employees and souvenirs to their nominating employers. While complimenting the disabled awardees and employer awardees, Mr Lee said that tribute should also be paid to the other nominated employees. "They have succeeded in overcoming the hindrance brought by their disability and earned the recognition from their respective employers," he said. He also extended his gratitude to all other employers who have supported the open employment of people with a disability. Two video shows on the 12 outstanding disabled employees and their respective employers as well as on the support services available to employers who wish to employ people with a disability were presented during the ceremony. An exhibition on employment opportunities of people with a disability was also held. A group of students with some mild mental handicap gave a dance performance to add colour to the ceremony. End 11. Ping Shek Public Transport Interchange proposed *********************************************** The Highways Department proposes today (Friday) to construct a two-level public transport interchange at the existing Ping Shek Bus Terminus adjacent to Choi Hung Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Station. The ground floor of the Interchange will be built as a franchised bus terminus while the first floor for boarding/alighting activities for other modes of transport including green minibuses, taxis and private cars. Two access ramps, one each at the Interchange's first floor eastern and western approach, will be constructed to link up Clear Water Bay Road. The design and construction of the works will be entrusted to the Mass Transit Railway Corporation as an integral part of their proposed commercial/office building. The building with the provision of a multi-storey public car park, will provide motorists with the first "park- and-ride" facility in the urban area. The existing bus terminus is used by three terminating and 16 passing bus routes and a large number of passengers from Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O for changing between MTR and buses. The limited capacity of the bus terminus results in over-crowding and congestion problems as buses waiting to enter the terminus often queue back to New Clear Water Bay Road and obstruct the through traffic. The proposed Interchange will therefore mitigate the existing congestion problem. The construction works are scheduled to commence in late 1999 and to be completed in 31 months. Details of the proposal were published in today's Government Gazette. The plan and scheme for the proposed project can be inspected during office hours at : * Public Enquiry Service Centre, Central and Western District Office Ground Floor, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong; * Kowloon East District Lands Office, 10th Floor, Yau Ma Tei Carpark Building, 250 Shanghai Street, Kowloon; * Kwun Tong District Office, Ground Floor, Kwun Tong District Branch Offices Building, Tung Yan Street, Kowloon; * Wong Tai Sin District Office, Ground Floor, San Po Kong Government Offices Building, King Fuk Street, Wan Po Kong, Kowloon; and * Sai Kung District Office, 2nd Floor, Sai Kung Government Offices Building, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, New Territories. Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to write on or before November 18, 1997 to the Secretary for Transport, Central Government Offices, East Wing, 2nd Floor, Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong. End 12. More facilities in Tung Chung ***************************** Three building projects will begin in Tung Chung, Lantau, in December as part of the comprehensive development of the new town and to cater for the needs of the new community. The works will comprise the construction of a primary school and a secondary school in Area 17 and a refuse collection point in Tung Chung Town Centre. They will be carried out by the Architectural Services Department. Upon completion in July 1999, the two schools will provide about 1,000 primary places and 1,100 secondary places in the new town. The schools will each include a classroom block, an assembly hall, two basketball courts, a covered playground, a library, a student activity centre, a staff common room, three remedial teaching rooms and a carpark. The primary school will have 30 classrooms, a general purpose room, a music room, and an art and craft room. The secondary school will have 26 classrooms, 14 special rooms, two interview rooms and a guidance activity/interview room. Facilities for the disabled, including a lift and toilets, will be provided. Works on the two-storey refuse collection point will be completed in October 1998. Ancillary facilities including a vehicle exhaust extraction system and a water scrubber odour absorption system will be installed to minimise environmental nuisances. End 13. Draft Lau Fau Shan/Tsim Bei Tsui and Ping Shan OZP ************************************************** The Town Planning Board today (Friday) announced amendments to the draft Lau Fau Shan and Tsim Bei Tsui Outline Zoning Plans (OZP) and the draft Ping Shan OZP. The amendments relates to the excision of a 0.1-hectare site to the north of Shing Uk Tsuen from the planning scheme area of the the draft Lau Fau Shan and Tsim Bei Tsui OZP for inclusion into the draft Ping Shan OZP. The site has been rezoned from "Conservation Area" to "Village Type Development". Another amendment involves the inclusion of "Columbarium" use in Column 2 of the Notes of the "Government/Institution/Community" zone. The amendment plans (No. S/YL-LFS/2 and S/YL-PS/2) are available for public inspection during office hours until October 11 at : * Planning Department 16th floor, Murray Building Garden Road Central Hong Kong; * Tuen Mun and Yuen Long District Planning Office 11th floor, Metroplaza Tower I 223 Hing Fong Road Kwai Chung New Territories; and * Yuen Long District Office Ground floor, Yuen Long District Office Building 269 Castle Peak Road Yuen Long New Territories. Any person affected by the amendments may submit written objections to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board, c/o Planning Department, 13th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, before October 11. Copies of the draft plans are available for sale at the Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, 14th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong and the Kowloon Map Sales Office, ground floor, 382 Nathan Road, Kowloon. End 14. Maintenance of marine facilities ******************************** The Civil Engineering Department is inviting tenders for the inspection, maintenance and repairs of public marine facilities including sea walls, piers and other port works in Hong Kong waters. The contractor will also be responsible for the construction of minor marine works and small-scale dredging works in case of emergency. The contract will begin in January 1998 and last two years. Forms of the tender and further particulars can be obtained from the Chief Engineer, Technical Services Division, Civil Engineering Office, CED, 4th floor, Civil Engineering Building, 101 Princess Margaret Road, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon. End 15. More leisure facilities in Tin Shui Wai *************************************** The Architectural Services Department will build an open space in Areas 10 and 21 of Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, to provide more leisure facilities for local residents. The open space will occupy an area of about 21,000 square metres. It has been designed to cater for the passive recreational needs of users of different age groups. Works will include the construction of a landscaped buffer comprising rain shelters, chess tables and sitting benches, as well as associated building services and drainage installations. Works will start in December for completion in 12 months. End 16. Building management seminar in Sha Tin ************************************** Members of mutual aid committees, owners' corporations, owners committees and residents in Sha Tin District are invited to attend a building management seminar at Lecture Room II of Sha Tin Town Hall on October 7. The seminar, organised by the Sha Tin District Office, will provide participants with a good knowledge of effective building management. The participants can take the opportunity to engage in a floor discussion with guest speakers and share valuable experiences with each other. The seminar will be held at 7.30 pm and admission is free. Guest speakers will be Mr Lee Chi-shing, Housing Manager and Mr William L W Leung, a solicitor. For enquiries, please call Miss Cheng of the Sha Tin District Office at 2633 9964. End 17. FSD provides quality ambulance services *************************************** With the enhancement in the quality of ambulance services, the ambulance echelon of the Fire Services Department has saved the lives of 543 patients whose pulse and heart beats have once stopped. Speaking at a passing out parade of recruit ambulancemen today (Friday), Acting Director of Fire Services, Mr John Tsang Kwong-yu, said that continuous efforts were being made to improve services so as to maintain the ambulance services to the public at an international standard. Mr Tsang said: "All ambulances will be equipped with defibrillators during this financial year to provide better protection to patients with heart problems. "The ambulance fleet has been renewed with the procurement of 63 more advanced and attractive ambulances. "Another 100 new ambulances will be arriving in Hong Kong next year and by then there will be more than 200 ambulances available to provide better services to the public." he said. He added that a newly purchased Mobile Casualty Treatment Centre would be commissioned later to boost the Department's ability to deal with calamities and accidents. On the building of new ambulance depots, Mr Tsang said Lam Tin and Tung Chung Ambulance Depots had come into operation earlier and the construction works of Sham Tseng Fire Station cum Ambulance Depot would be finished early new year. He said plans were in the pipeline to build new depots in Chai Wan, Mong Kok, Kwai Chung and Kowloon Tong. Mr Tsang called on the recruit ambulancemen on parade to serve the community with dedication, patience and courtesy, and to uphold the international reputation earned over the past century or so by their predecessors. On parade were 75 Ambulancemen who had completed their basic training course and would soon be posted out to various ambulance depots to gain more field experience. End 18. Deadline for lodging proposal to alter the Govt Rent Roll ********************************************************* A spokesman for the Rating and Valuation Department today (Friday) reminded the public that the last day for making proposal to alter the Government Rent Roll this year falls on September 30. A rentpayer who is unhappy with the rateable value on which Government rent is charged may object to the assessment if this is different from the rateable value for rating purposes. The objections must be made on or before September 30. The spokesman stressed that under the provisions of the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, proposals served after September 30 cannot be accepted as valid. Proposals can be sent by post or by hand, but their transmission by facsimile machine is unacceptable. The spokesman added that a proposal should be made on the specified form, Form R20A. Copies of the form are obtainable from the department on 23rd floor, Hennessy Centre, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong and from district offices. For further enquiries, please call the department on 2805 7666. End 19. Gradings of beach water quality announced ***************************************** The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Friday) released its latest beach water quality monitoring results to inform swimmers and the public about the water quality of the beaches in Hong Kong. The beach grading results are announced every Friday during the bathing season to coincide with the weekly frequency of beach monitoring by EPD. Under EPD's monitoring system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the most recent trends in E. coli data collected. Among the 37 beaches, 14 are found to be in "good" condition (Grade 1), 14 "fair" (Grade 2) and nine "poor" (Grade 3). "Grade 1" beaches include: South Bay (S) Kiu Tsui (S) Hairpin (S) Tong Fuk (S) Repulse Bay (S) Hung Shing Yeh (S) Turtle Cove (S) Lo So Shing (S) Cheung Sha Upper (S) Pui O (S) Clear Water Bay 1st (S) Tung Wan on Cheung Chau (S) Hap Mun Bay (S) Trio (Hebe Haven) (S) "Grade 2" beaches include: Big Wave Bay (S) Cheung Sha Lower Chung Hom Kok (S) Discovery Bay* Deep Water Bay (S) Kwun Yam Wan (S) Middle Bay (S) Clear Water Bay 2nd (S) Shek O (S) Silverstrand (S) St Stephen's (S) Tung Wan on Ma Wan (S) Stanley Main (S) Butterfly (S) "Grade 3" beaches include: Silvermine Bay (S) New Cafeteria (S) Casam (S) Old Cafeteria Gemini Golden Beach (S) Lido (S) Kadoorie (S) Hoi Mei Wan Note: * Non-gazetted beach (S) Shark prevention net installed The grades of Repulse Bay, Turtle Cove, Pui O, Clear Water Bay 1st and Trio (Hebe Haven) have changed from "2" to "1"; Big Wave Bay and Tung Wan on Ma Wan from "3" to "2"; Casam from "4" to "3"; St Stephen's from "1" to "2". These changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of these beaches. In general, many beaches are likely to be more polluted than the grades suggested during and after periods of heavy rain. Hence, bathers should avoid swimming at beaches, particularly Grade 3 and 4 beaches, for a few days after a storm or heavy rainfall. The public are reminded that Grade 4 beaches are generally considered unsuitable for swimming at any time. At present, five gazetted beaches, namely Anglers', Approach, Ting Kau, Castle Peak and Rocky Bay, are closed to swimmers based on the beach water quality monitoring data for 1996. End 20. Fresh water cut in Tsuen Wan and Western District ************************************************* Fresh water supply to some premises in Tsuen Wan and the Western District will be suspended from 11 pm on Monday (September 22) to 6 am the following day for waste detection work on watermains. In Tsuen Wan, the suspension will affect all premises in the area bounded by Sha Tsui Road, Tai Ho Road, Castle Peak Road and Chung On Street. In Western District, the suspension will affect premises at: * 4-16 (even nos.) and 1-25 (odd nos.) Hill Road; * 282-428 (even nos.) Des Voeux Road West; * 450-496 (even nos.) and 351-453 (odd nos.) Queen's Road West; * 22-24 (even nos.) and 11-21 (odd nos.) Whitty Street; * 2-2C (even nos.) and 1C-1K (odd nos.) Water Street; * 1-5 and 21-24 Chiu Kwong Street; * Hing Lung Lane West, Hing Lung Lane East, Sai On Lane, On Hing Lane, Lai On Lane, Sai Hing Lane and Siu Cheung Fong. End
