Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, in the Legislative Council today (March 22):

Question:

     The Government has advised in this year's Policy Address that it has decided to significantly increase the provision of sports facilities and will additionally build or rebuild 26 sports and recreational facilities (SRF projects) in the coming five years. Among such projects, I have found that the consent of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council (DC) was obtained in 2009 for the project on the open space site at Hoi Fan Road, Tai Kok Tsui (including one 7-a-side football pitch and two outdoor basketball courts), and the consent of the Community Building Committee under the said DC was obtained in 2010 for the project on the open space site at Hoi Fai Road, Tai Kok Tsui. However, the authorities have not yet submitted funding applications to the Finance Council (FC) of this Council with regard to these two Tai Kok Tsui projects. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the reasons why the authorities have not yet submitted funding applications to FC with regard to the two aforesaid Tai Kok Tsui projects;
 
(2) apart from the two Tai Kok Tsui projects, of the projects among the remaining 24 SRF projects in respect of which the authorities have submitted papers to the relevant DCs for discussion (set out by project name the name of the DC and the relevant meeting dates); whether the authorities have drawn up a priority list for funding applications for such projects; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) apart from the aforesaid 26 SRF projects, of the current number of proposed SRF projects for which consent of the relevant DCs has been obtained (set out by project name the name of the DC, the relevant meeting dates and the reasons for not yet submitting the funding applications to FC); the measures that the authorities have in place to accelerate the planning progress of such projects;
 
(4) given that, according to the relevant standards under the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, the Kwai Ching District with a current population of about 520 000 should be provided with district open space of a total area of 52.4 hectares, but the total area of the district open space in the district is only 19 hectares at present, whether the authorities have plans to expeditiously open up, within the current term of the Government, the Kwai Chung Park, which has an area of 27 hectares and has been left derelict for 16 years, for use by residents; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(5) of the current open space sites in Hong Kong that have been left derelict for a long time (set out the locations and areas of such sites by DC district)? 
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     My reply to the five parts of the question is as follows:

(1) and (2) As announced in the 2017 Policy Address, the Government plans to launch 26 projects in the coming five years to develop new or improve existing sports and recreational facilities in different districts, and will conduct technical feasibility study for another 15 sports and recreation facility projects to prepare for their implementation.
 
     Of the 26 projects for implementation in the coming five years, there are 20 open space projects (as set out at Annex) including the two projects at Hoi Fai Road and Hoi Fan Road. In line with prevailing practices, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) consults the relevant District Councils during various key stages of planning the individual projects with a view to seeking Members' views on the scope of works and the design before finalising the planning details and seeking funding in accordance with the established procedures for public works projects.
      
     In planning the two projects at Hoi Fai Road and Hoi Fan Road, LCSD has been working closely with stakeholders notably the Yau Tsim Mong District Council (YTMDC) and the Harbourfront Commission. For the Hoi Fai Road project, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) has revised the design of the project in the light of the views of YTMDC and the Harbourfront Commission. As regards the Hoi Fan Road project, ArchSD has completed a technical feasibility study and will engage consultants for the design work. Upon completion of the design, LCSD will consult the YTMDC. Subject to the progress of the design work and consultation, we will seek funding in accordance with the established procedures for public works projects.
      
     Among the 26 projects in the Five-Year Plan, the Government plans to consult the relevant Panels of the Legislative Council and seek the funding approval of the Finance Committee in 2017-18 for five projects including Avenue Park at Kai Tak, waterfront promenade adjacent to the Hong Kong Children's Hospital, improvement of Hoi Bun Road Park and adjacent area, Kwun Tong, open space at Sze Mei Street, San Po Kong, and sports ground and open space in Area 16, Tuen Mun. The other projects will be submitted to the Legislative Council in subsequent years.
 
(3) In drawing up the Five-Year Plan for Sports and Recreation Facilities, the Government has taken into account the views and priorities of the District Councils, as well as other relevant considerations such as the current provision of sports and recreation facilities at the territory-wide and district levels, the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG), the policy objective of sports development, utilisation rates of existing facilities, demographic changes, site availability and technical feasibility.
      
     As regards other proposed new projects that have been discussed by District Councils, they are at different planning stages and most of them have not completed a technical feasibility study. Under the Five-Year Plan, we will conduct technical feasibility study for 15 sports and recreation facility projects to prepare for their implementation.
      
(4) With reference to the HKPSG, a total of about 102 hectares (ha) of open space should be provided in Kwai Tsing District which has a population of 510 900 in 2017. Currently there are about 148 ha of open space in Kwai Tsing District, which exceeds the recommended provision under the HKPSG. 
 
     As regards the Kwai Chung Park, it is one of the 26 projects for implementation in the coming five years under the Five-Year Plan. LCSD has been working closely with stakeholders notably the Kwai Tsing District Council (KwTDC) on the planning of the project. After receiving comments of KwTDC Members on the proposed scope of facilities in February 2017, LCSD is now actively following up on the planning details.
 
(5) The open space sites where LCSD is responsible for development but works have yet to commence are listed at Annex. LCSD has not taken possession of any vacant open space sites from relevant bureaux/departments other than the site of 0.84 ha earmarked for the open space project at Hoi Fai Road, which is temporarily used as a plant nursery.

Ends/Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:33

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