Members of the Land and Building Advisory Committee (LBAC) agreed that there were merits in the existing policy of providing public facilities in private developments and they generally support the continuation of the policy.
They were consulted by the Development Bureau on the provision of public facilities in private developments at the LBAC meeting today (August 7) in light of recent concerns.
Members agreed with the objectives and justifications of the policy, which are to achieve integrated design, optimization of land use and better site planning, to bring forward the timely completion of those public facilities to serve the wider public, or to match the envisaged population intake brought about by the private development project.
Nevertheless, they recognised that the issue was very complicated and that some problems have emerged on the implementation and operational levels over the years. Members considered it timely for the Government to review the matter in view of changes in circumstances and public aspirations.
The Development Bureau is now conducting a review on the arrangements of providing public facilities in private developments. To enhance transparency and accessibility of the public facilities concerned, the Government has in March 2008 released the list of private developments completed in or after 1997 in which developers/owners are required to provide various public facilities for public use under a land lease, and another list of such facilities notably public passage under a deed of dedication.
As Development Bureau has undertaken previously, the Lands Department will release the first batch of the list of developments containing public facilities completed before 1997 later this month.
The Government is also considering the formulation of guidelines on the management of public open space (POS) for reference by developers/owners, to facilitate the proper and effective discharge of their ongoing obligations in managing and maintaining the POS and opening the POS for public use.
Ends/Thursday, August 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:30