Medium to Long-term Programmes

92. For the medium to long term, we are determined to implement as soon as possible a number of large-scale projects, including NDAs and new town extensions, with focus on Kwu Tung North and Fanling North, Tung Chung, Hung Shui Kiu and Yuen Long South, to provide additional housing, community facilities, public space and land for economic use.  These development projects are expected to provide close to 200 000 housing units and over 8.6 million square metres of industrial and commercial floor area between 2023 and 2038.  Potential railway property development projects can also provide over 21 000 residential units.

New Development Areas and Extension of New Towns

93. With the completion of the planning and engineering study for the Kwu Tung North and Fanling North NDAs, obtaining approval of the statutory plans and funding from the LegCo for the detailed design of advance works, we have also formulated a new compensation and rehousing package.  This is the first large-scale new town development in Hong Kong since Tung Chung in the 1990s.  The project will provide 60 000 flats and 840 000 square metres of industrial and commercial floor area.  The first population intake is expected in six years.

94. Tung Chung New Town Extension is another focus in the medium to long term, and its statutory plans have been approved by the Town Planning Board.  The project will provide 49 400 flats and 877 000 square metres of commercial floor area.  The reclamation will commence next year, and the first population intake is expected in six years.

95. The planning and engineering study for Hung Shui Kiu NDA has been completed, and we will start formulating the statutory plans in the first half of this year.  The project will provide 61 000 flats and 6.37 million square metres of industrial and commercial floor area.  The first population intake is expected in seven years.

96. The Recommended Outline Development Plan for Yuen Long South is being finalised.  The project will provide 27 700 flats and 590 000 square metres of industrial and commercial floor area.  The first population intake is expected in 10 years.

Tseung Kwan O Area 137

97. At the end of last year, the Government commenced a planning and engineering study for the development of Tseung Kwan O Area 137, which has potential for large-scale residential, commercial and other development.

Siu Ho Wan Depot Site and Property Developments along Rail Lines

98. The statutory planning procedures for MTRCL's Siu Ho Wan Depot will commence this year.  The site can provide not less than 14 000 residential units in the medium to long term.  The topside development above West Rail Pat Heung Depot can also provide 6 000 units in the medium to long term.  The Government will continue to explore with MTRCL the development of other railway-related sites.

Development of Rock Caverns and Underground Space

99. The Government will consult the public on the preliminary proposals on the relocation of service reservoirs at Diamond Hill, Sham Tseng Sewage Treatment Works and Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works to caverns, as well as the development of underground spaces in Causeway Bay, Happy Valley, Admiralty/Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Reclamation outside Victoria Harbour

100. Technical studies on reclamations in Siu Ho Wan on Lantau, Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun and Ma Liu Shui in Sha Tin will be completed this year.  The planning and engineering study on the approximately 60-hectare reclamation in Ma Liu Shui will commence as soon as possible.  At the same time, we will commence new planning of the 28 hectares of land to be freed up upon relocation of the adjacent Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns, and consider allocating it for advanced technology and knowledge-based industries, as well as residential and other uses.  The planning and engineering study on the approximately 200-hectare reclamation at Lung Kwu Tan will also commence as soon as possible to provide land for industrial and other uses.

Development of Lantau

101. The blueprint for Lantau's development and conservation will be published in the first half of this year.  The direction will be "development for the north, conservation for the south".  North Lantau will be for economic and housing developments, including the Airport North Commercial District, Tung Chung New Town, the topside of the boundary crossing of the HZMB and Siu Ho Wan.  Northeast Lantau will be developed into an area for leisure, entertainment and tourism through reclamation in Sunny Bay, complemented by Hong Kong Disneyland.  Most of the remaining areas in Lantau will be used for conservation, leisure, cultural and eco-tourism purposes.

102. The AA's SKYCITY development project occupies over 25 hectares, and will become a dedicated area for hotel, retail, dining and entertainment.

103. The boundary crossing facilities island of the HZMB can provide a floor area of 500 000 square metres for economic uses.  The community will be consulted on this in the first half of this year.

Long-term Planning - "Hong Kong 2030+"

104. As our population and the number of households continue to grow, the community has higher aspirations for better living space and environment, the demand for land is ever increasing.  The improvement in cross-boundary transport also enhances interactions between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta in land use matters.  As such, we must undertake long-term and holistic planning.

105. The Government has commenced the "Hong Kong 2030+: Towards a Planning Vision and Strategy Transcending 2030" ("Hong Kong 2030+") planning study and is carrying out public engagement.

106. The Planning Department estimates that at least 4 800 hectares of land is required up to 2046.  Even if all the on-going short, medium and long-term land supply initiatives are timely implemented in full, we will still need to identify at least another 1 200 hectares of land.

(To be continued)

Ends/Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:54

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