The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Ma On Shan area," a spokesperson for the Town Planning Board said today (September 8).
      
     The planning scheme area, covering about 814 hectares, is located in the eastern New Territories along the southern shore of Tolo Harbour. It is bounded by the Ma On Shan Country Park in the south and east, Tolo Harbour in the north and Sha Tin Hoi (Tide Cove) in the west.
      
     The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Ma On Shan OZP No. S/MOS/25, which involves (i) rezoning a site on On Chun Street from "Other Specified Uses" ("OU") annotated "Hotel" to "Residential (Group A)12"; (ii) rezoning two sites in southwestern and southeastern parts of Whitehead headland from "Comprehensive Development Area (2)" and "Comprehensive Development Area (3)" to "Residential (Group C)4" and "Residential (Group C)5" respectively to reflect the completed residential developments, and (iii) rezoning an area from "OU" annotated "Pedestrian Link with Retail Facilities" across Ma On Shan Road to an area shown as 'Road'.
      
     Opportunity is also taken to amend the Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP to reflect the above amendments and to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.

     The approved Ma On Shan OZP No. S/MOS/26 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, (iv) the Sha Tin District Office and its sub-office in Ma On Shan and (v) the Sha Tin Rural Committee.

     Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 8) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
      
     Twenty-three beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 15 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
      
Grade 1 beaches are:               

 
Grade 2 beaches are:    

 
Grade 3 beaches are:    

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Silver Mine Bay Beach has been upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach has been changed from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
      
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
         
Note 1: Lifeguard services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 26 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1.
      
Note 2: This refers to the non-gazetted beach in Discovery Bay which has no lifeguard service.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department announced that Stonecutters Island, New Yau Ma Tei and Chai Wan Public Cargo working areas are now reopened for operation.

     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) launched a new set of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) on thunderstorms today (September 8) to enhance the public's understanding of thunderstorms and their awareness of disaster prevention.

      In the newly launched TV API, the HKO mascot, Dr Tin, plays the main character in the animation to remind the public to be cautious of squally thunderstorms, which can develop quickly. One moment it is sunny, the next it is thundery. It will be even more dangerous if it comes with squalls. When engaging in outdoor activities, the public should pay attention to weather forecasts, thunderstorm warnings, announcements at the beach, and check the latest weather forecast on the "MyObservatory" mobile application. If a thunderstorm is developing in the vicinity, stop the outdoor activities and take safe shelter at once.

     The public can view the new TV API on the following website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=skxt4OySFlk

  

     â€‹The Immigration Department announced that members of the public who had booked but were unable to apply for identity cards at Registration of Persons (ROP) Offices as scheduled due to the extreme conditions today (September 8) may approach the ROP Offices concerned on any subsequent working day for applications without the need to make a new appointment. It is not necessary to call to seek confirmation on the above arrangement. However, applicants must approach the ROP Offices concerned during the relevant service hours for processing. Applicants should bring along the appointment slip, if available, or quote the telephone appointment reference code for follow-up. Subject to the situation of the day, the waiting time for processing may be longer. Please refer to the Annex for the working hours and scope of services provided at ROP Offices.