************************************************************
The Government had adopted a multi-pronged approach comprising legislative measures, technical assistance, financial subsidy schemes and enforcement to provide a safe and quality built environment for the people of Hong Kong, the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, said today (January 17).
Mrs Lam was officiating at the opening ceremony of this year¡¯s Building Safety Carnival jointly organised by the Buildings Department, Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) and Urban Renewal Authority (URA) at Victoria Park.
She said further to the legislation enacted for the minor works control system, the Government would shortly introduce into the Legislative Council a Bill to amend the Buildings Ordinance to implement the proposed mandatory building inspection scheme and mandatory window inspection scheme.
She said that the minor works control system aimed to simplify the statutory requirements and procedures for carrying out small- scale building works.
Under the new system, the requirement to seek prior approval of building plans and consent in writing from the Buildings Department to commence minor works will be dispensed with.
As the first step in implementing the minor works control system, the registration of minor works contractors began in December last year. The Government aims to commence operation of the system by mid-2010.
¡°The two inspection schemes are preventive in nature. They are instrumental to ensuring a better and safer built environment. The Government with the support of the Hong Kong Housing Society and URA will provide financial and technical assistance to owners upon the launch of the schemes,¡± Mrs Lam said.
Mrs Lam also spoke on the latest progress of Operation Building Bright (OBB) and the Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners (BMGSEO) which were launched in the past two years, with the full support of the HKHS and URA, to provide direct financial subsidies to building owners to carry out building repair and maintenance works.
OBB was launched in May last year with the dual objectives of improving building safety and the cityscape as well as creating more job opportunities for the construction sector. With a total funding of $2 billion, the operation will provide subsidies to some 2,000 buildings and create 20,000 jobs in the coming few years. So far repair works on more than 130 buildings have commenced.
The BMGSEO was launched in May 2008 with a funding of $1 billion. It provided a maximum of $40,000 to elderly owner occupiers to carry out repair and maintenance works to their buildings or premises. As at 31 December 2009, 4,920 applications involving around $180 million have been approved.
Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the HKHS and URA for their support and assistance over the years to address the problem of building decay in Hong Kong, and provide both financial and technical assistance to building owners to carry out repair and maintenance works.
"Regular building inspection and maintenance will ensure public safety and improve the living environment. The Government will continue to work closely with the Housing Society and URA to assist owners of older buildings to properly manage and maintain their buildings," Mrs Lam said.
The carnival today aimed to promote timely maintenance of buildings in order to ensure public safety. It featured performances by popular singers and artistes, exhibitions and game booths.
Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Director of Buildings, Mr Au Choi-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Society, Mr Yeung Ka-sing, and Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority, Mr Barry Cheung Chun-yuen.
Ends/Sunday, January 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:16
NNNN
