Author Archives: hksar gov

     Officers of the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police launched enforcement operations in various districts today (September 8) and arrested three men and one woman, aged between 36 and 57, for "failing to co… read more

     Two persons were sentenced by the magistrates’ courts today (September 8) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).

     The first case involved a woman aged 24, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on March 11, 2021, and was found to have taken off her wristband without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with two counts of contravening sections 8(1), 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 10 days for each of the two charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.

     The second case involved a man aged 43, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on May 2, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with contravening sections 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today to imprisonment for two months, suspended for 12 months.

     Breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 184 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):

Question:

     In recent months, serious flooding has occurred at a number of places in the New Territories North (NTN) during a series of rainstorms. Some residents in the district have pointed out that the district’s flood discharge capacity has been undermined by a number of development projects and infrastructure works projects carried out in the district in recent years. This situation, coupled with drainage channels being blocked by unauthorised works carried out by some people on government lands on which they had encroached, has caused serious flooding even at locations where flooding had rarely occurred in the past. As a result, the residents, farmers and pig farm operators in the district have suffered substantial property losses. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of reports received in the past five years by the Government about unauthorised works being carried out on illegally occupied government lands in the NTN; concerning such cases, (i) the procedure for taking law enforcement and regulatory actions and (ii) the number of prosecutions instituted by the Government, as well as the general and maximum penalties imposed on the convicted persons; what new measures are in place to curb such acts;

(2) of the monthly numbers of requests for assistance and complaints related to flooding received by the Government from NTN residents in the past five years; among such cases, the total value of property losses as reported by the residents, and the assistance provided to them by the Government;

(3) of the government departments responsible for scrutinising whether the development projects and infrastructure works projects under planning will affect the flood discharge capacity of the surrounding areas when they are carried out, as well as the procedure for such scrutiny work;

(4) whether the Government will (i) conduct a comprehensive study on the development planning and flood discharge capacity of the NTN, (ii) formulate measures to comprehensively improve the flood discharge capacity in the district, and (iii) set up a dedicated department or inter-departmental working group for implementing such measures, so as to resolve the flooding problem in the NTN; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(5) given that a number of pig farms in the NTN experienced several occasions of serious flooding in just one month, which caused heavy losses to the operators, whether the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has provided immediate assistance to such operators, and assisted the affected pig farms in expeditious restoration and enhancement in flood prevention facilities?

Reply:

President,

     Hong Kong was affected by a series of heavy rainstorms in recent months and the rainfall largely concentrated in the North District of the New Territories, leading to flooding occurring in a number of areas in the North District. According to the Hong Kong Observatory’s records, by end-August, nine Special Announcements on Flooding in the northern New Territories had been issued this year, higher than the annual average of about five. The rainfall intensity in certain districts even reached Black Rainstorm levels.

     The drainage facilities in the rural areas of the New Territories, including natural rivers, artificial channels and pipes, are maintained by the relevant government departments or private owners separately. Government departments will regularly inspect and clean up the drainage channels under their respective jurisdiction, and step up inspections and clearance frequencies prior to the onset of the rainy season in order to ensure that the drainage facilities are clear of obstructions, thus reducing the risk of flooding. The Government will also make use of the media and pamphlet distribution to convey to the public the message that keeping river channels and drains clear of obstructions is of utmost importance to the reduction in flooding risks, as well as reminding private owners to properly inspect and maintain their drainage facilities before the arrival of the rainy season.

     Having consulted the Drainage Services Department (DSD), the Planning Department (PlanD), the Lands Department (LandsD), the Buildings Department (BD), the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the reply to the five parts of the Hon Ho’s question is as follows:

(1) Upon receipt of a report or complaint against unlawful occupation of government lands or breach of land leases, the LandsD will deploy staff to conduct site inspections. If unlawful occupation of government lands is found, land control action will be taken under section 6(1) of the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28), including posting of statutory notices on site; and requiring the occupier to cease unlawful occupation before the date specified in the notice. If the unlawful occupation persists after the specified deadline, further land control action will be taken by the LandsD including instituting criminal prosecution against the occupier if there is sufficient evidence. An offender is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months on the first occasion, and to a further daily fine of $50,000 for non-compliance with the statutory notice. The offender, on each subsequent conviction of the offence, is liable to a maximum fine of $1 million and imprisonment for six months, and to a further daily fine of $100,000 for non-compliance with the statutory notice. In the past five years, the LandsD has taken prosecution action against total six cases of unlawful occupation of government lands in the North District of the New Territories and five of them were convicted. All of the convicted persons were fined and the maximum fine was about $95,000.

     If a breach of lease conditions on private lands is detected, such as erection of an unauthorised structure on private agricultural land without permission, the LandsD will issue a warning letter to the owner concerned requiring rectification of the breach within a specified time. If the owner does not rectify the breach by the deadline, the LandsD will register the warning letter at the Land Registry (commonly known as “imposing an encumbrance”). If the breach of lease conditions is serious, the LandsD may proceed with re-entry of the lot. In the past five years, the LandsD registered 381 warning letters at the Land Registry and re-entered 14 private lots in the North District of the New Territories.

     To enable more effective handling the cases of unlawful occupation of government lands and unauthorised structures on private agricultural lands, the LandsD established a Special Duties Task Force in mid-2019, focusing on tackling serious cases. The Government will review the effectiveness of the enforcement actions from time to time and will strengthen the community publicity in order to deter such breaches.

     In addition, in case an unauthorised development is found, the PlanD will serve a notice to the person concerned in accordance with the Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131), requiring discontinuance of the unauthorised development. It is an offence if anyone fails to comply with the requirements specified in the notice. The PlanD will take further enforcement and prosecution action in this regard. The maximum fine for the first conviction is $500,000 plus a daily fine of $50,000 for the non-compliance period after the time limit specified by the notice. In the case of any subsequent conviction, the maximum fine is $1 million plus a daily fine of $100,000. In the past five years, a total of 143 Enforcement Notices and Stop Notices and 133 Reinstatement Notices were issued, and 42 prosecutions were initiated by the PlanD against unauthorised landfilling in the North District of the New Territories, among which 41 were convicted. All of the convicted persons were fined. The fine of each case ranged from about $9,000 to $1 million.

(2) Numbers of flooding cases in the North District of the New Territories received by the DSD in the past five years are as follows:
 

Month/Year	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021 (Up till August)
January to April	–
May	–	–	–	1	–
June	2	–	–	3	1
July	3	–	–	–	1
August	4	7	–	2	14
September	–	2	–	–	–
October to December	–
Total	9	9	0	6	16

     Upon receipt of flooding reports, whether private or government lands are involved, the DSD will deploy staff to the scenes to render emergency assistance in clearing blocked channels and draining excessive water.

     If the channels concerned are under the purview of the relevant District Office (DO) of the HAD, the DO will also arrange clearance of channels or maintenance work in a timely manner, as well as carrying out drainage improvement works if feasible. Where necessary, the cases will be referred to the relevant departments (such as the DSD, the LandsD and the Highways Department) for follow-up actions. Furthermore, the affected members of the public can apply for the General Chinese Charities Fund through the relevant DOs. The amount of relief grant released may range from $3,000 to $5,000. However, the North District Office (NDO) does not have information on property losses reported by the residents.

(3) In planning infrastructure and development projects, government departments will assess different aspects including reviewing the drainage facilities, and ensuring that they comply with the relevant design standards or regulations so as to minimise flooding risks.

     On the planning front, if a development project requires approval of the Town Planning Board, the project proponent must also submit a drainage impact assessment to the DSD. If the works proposal will affect the drainage conditions, the project proponent must adopt mitigation measures to ensure that the flooding risks in the relevant areas will not be increased.

     Regarding private development projects, pursuant to the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations (Cap. 123I) (the Regulations), private development projects must have the necessary drainage pipes and channels installed to discharge the surface water within their boundaries. The authorised persons responsible for the private development projects should design the drainage systems of the relevant projects in such manner as required under the Regulations, as well as preparing and submitting plans of the drainage systems concerned for assessment by the BD in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance. The BD will consult the DSD about the connection of such drains to the public drainage system during the assessment.

     Regarding small house or village house development in the New Territories, applicants must comply with the LandsD’s grant conditions including the requirements for drainage system facilities. When making assessment, the LandsD will seek technical advice from the DSD on the relevant drainage system facilities.

(4) The Government has been paying attention and is dedicated to improving the flooding situation. To cope with the flooding threat brought by heavy rains, the Government established the DSD in 1989, with flood prevention as one of its core responsibilities. To systematically examine the adequacy and effectiveness of stormwater drainage facilities in the northern New Territories, the DSD completed the Drainage Master Plan Study in the northern New Territories in 1999. The proposed drainage improvement measures were progressively implemented and completed, such as the major river training projects of Shenzhen River, Ng Tung River, and Sheung Yue River, and the village flood protection schemes implemented for low-lying villages.

     To cater for the circumstances such as new developments, updated land use planning or climate change, that came after the completion of the Drainage Master Plan Study, the DSD completed the Drainage Master Plan Review Study in Yuen Long and North District in 2011. The Study covered villages with flooding records and assessment of the conditions of their stormwater drainage systems. After the Review Study, the DSD formulated new stormwater drainage improvement measures to meet the required flood prevention standards and support future development. The DSD also consolidated the proposed improvement measures appropriately in accordance with conditions such as the nature, locations, consequences and severity of the flooding as well as land requirements.

     At present, the DSD is carrying out the project 118CD “Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package B (Remaining Works)” in the northern New Territories, which is anticipated to be completed in 2022. In addition, the DSD is also planning and designing the project 165CD “Drainage Improvement Works at North District” and the project 173CD “Drainage Improvement Works in Ta Kwu Ling” to further enhance the drainage capacity of the relevant district.

     Besides, the NDO will construct and assist in maintaining drainage pipes and channels in villages as well as carrying out maintenance and improvement works for drainage pipes and natural watercourses within the villages through minor works programmes. The NDO has been taking forward minor improvement and maintenance works for drainage systems in villages according to the actual conditions and subject to factors such as funding, resources and land status.

(5) In response to flooding occurred at the pig farms in Ta Kwu Ling after the rainstorms, the AFCD has deployed staff to the scenes to render appropriate assistance at the request of the farm operator earlier. Applications from the pig farmer for low-interest agricultural loans and Emergency Relief Fund are being processed in order to facilitate early resumption of production of the farms. The DSD is also carrying out drainage rehabilitation works at the affected areas. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Wilson Or and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, in the Legislative Council today (September 8):
 
Question:
 
     The number of public housing flats produced in the last financial year has hit a record low in 10 years. The average waiting time of general public housing applicants has been rising continuously (which was 5.8 years as at the end of March this year), and moving increasingly further away from the target of providing the first public housing flat offer to general applicants at around three years on average. On expediting public housing production, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) as the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) is using the modular integrated construction (MiC) method in constructing a 12-storey building in the public housing development at Tung Chung Area 99 project as an MiC pilot project, of the relevant progress; 

(2) what criteria on the basis of which, and when, the HA will decide whether or not to adopt MiC method across the board in future; and 

(3) of the HA’s other means, apart from using MiC method and components produced with off-site prefabrication technology, to speed up housing production, especially the means which can minimise the delays in works progress caused by factors such as inclement weather or manpower shortage? 

Reply:
 
President,

     My consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Wilson Or is as follows:
 
     The Government has been sparing no effort in identifying land for housing construction, and the total public housing production has been generally on the rise. The total public housing production in the five-year period from 2017-18 to 2021-22 is estimated to reach about 96 500 units, an increase of about 30 000 units as compared with the total public housing production for the previous five-year period (i.e. from 2012-13 to 2016-17). The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) will continue to adopt comprehensive planning and site-specific design to best respond to site conditions, expedite the site-specific development process and optimise the development potential of each and every public housing site, so as to increase the public housing production.
 
     The HA has all along been open to new technologies and measures which can enhance productivity, construction speed, building quality, safety level, and environmental performance.
 
     The manufacturing process involved in modular integrated construction (MiC) bears a close resemblance to the off-site prefabrication generally adopted by the HA. The merit of off-site prefabrication is that as the components are manufactured in the factory, the production process is not affected by the weather and is subject to stringent quality control in the course of the mechanised production process. In recent years, the HA has actively introduced volumetric precast components including the smaller size volumetric precast bathroom and kitchen, in addition to precast walls, precast slabs, etc. At present, the HA has adopted prefabrication for over 90 per cent of the components in certain public housing projects, and is able to build a typical floor with over 20 public housing units in six days.
 
     A MiC module is built up from walls, slabs and exterior walls pre-installed in the factory, together with all necessary finishes, fixtures and fittings, it is then directly transported to the site for assembly. In identifying suitable projects for MiC, the HA would consider selecting public housing sites with relatively simple site terrain, transportation network and availability of storage area nearby. At the same time, the HA also needs to consider challenges and mitigation proposals in terms of design, production, transportation, installation and long-term maintenance, etc.
 
     After study, the HA has selected one of the domestic blocks of the public housing development at Tung Chung Area 99 as the first pilot MiC project. The project is currently undergoing excavation and construction works for the basement carpark. Together with the construction works of the superstructure, the project is scheduled for completion in 2024.
 
     Nevertheless, not all HA’s housing development sites can meet all the requirements of using MiC. For example, some of the sites are relatively narrow and small, with limited storage areas for components, or sites with hilly terrain, etc. In order to map out the long-term solutions regarding site constraints, the HA has selected a domestic block at Tak Tin Street, and three domestic blocks at Anderson Road Quarry Site in June this year as MiC projects. The HA will review the efficiency of MiC amidst the construction process, work out detailed analysis of the construction time, workflow and cost, and will work with the industry to explore means to optimise the application efficiency. The HA will continue to proactively select more suitable public housing sites for adopting MiC. 
 
    In addition, the Government has been actively adopting MiC in transitional housing projects. Among the over 15 000 transitional housing units, about 90 per cent of them are constructed using MiC.
 
     Moreover, in order to speed up the housing construction processes and enhance building quality, the HA has been using new technologies proactively in recent years, including:

(i) extending the application of Building Information Modelling and other innovative technologies in planning, design and construction stages, such as laser scanning and unmanned aerial systems;
(ii) utilising mobile phones and mobile applications for site supervision and streamlining of on-site communication and workflow;
(iii) using construction robotics to address labour shortage;
(iv) making use of innovative technologies to improve site safety management; and
(v) applying and actively exploring modular integrated mechanical, electrical and plumbing methods. 

     The HA will continue to adopt various methods to expedite our construction processes so as to provide as many public housing units as possible in the future.
 
     Thank you, President.
  read more

     â€‹The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (September 8) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall*
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre*
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall*
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Sai Tso Wan Neighbourhood Community Centre
81 Cha Kwo Ling Road, Yau Tong
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall*
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre*
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung North Park (Zone B) Activity Room
29 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
King Lam Neighbourhood Community Centre
King Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
    
     From September 1 to 30, the Home Affairs Department is running a pilot scheme to open five selected temporary night heat shelters (i.e. the above-mentioned five temporary night heat shelters marked with an asterisk) for people in need, regardless of whether the Very Hot Weather Warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. 
 
     For the 14 temporary night heat shelters not covered by the pilot scheme, their opening will still be subject to the issuing of the Very Hot Weather Warning. If the Very Hot Weather Warning remains in force at 4.30pm after being issued, the heat shelters will open from 10.30pm until 8am the next day. If the Very Hot Weather Warning is cancelled before 4.30pm, the heat shelters will not open overnight that day.
 
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community.
      
     People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas of the designated community centres and community halls. For the addresses of these designated community centres and community halls, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more