Foreshore, Sea-bed and Roads (Amendment) Bill 2003

The Foreshore, Sea-bed and Roads (Amendment) Bill 2003 which seeks to shorten the pre-construction leadtime of public works projects by about six to nine months will be introduced into the Legislative Council on February 19.

"The Bill proposes to reduce the period available to the Government's works departments to resolve objections to public works projects under the Foreshore and Sea-bed (Reclamations) Ordinance (FS(R)O) and Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance (R(WU&C)O) from the existing nine months to four months," a Government spokesman said today (February 4).

"In addition, the Bill proposes to shorten the extension period for resolving objections as may be granted by the Chief Executive from the existing maximum of six months to three months.

"Meanwhile, the period for the raising of public objections will be reduced from two months to one month from the date of gazettal of the project," he said.

The proposed amendments to R(WU&C)O will also apply to sewerage schemes gazetted under the Water Pollution Control (Sewerage) Regulation.

The spokesman stressed that experience showed that discussions to resolve objections were normally carried out during the initial few months of the existing nine-month period.

"The shortened periods should still provide adequate time for the public to raise their objections to any works schemes and for their views to be properly considered," he said.

"An expedited works programme means that the public will realise the benefits of the works sooner," said the spokesman, adding that job opportunities associated with public works will also be made available earlier.

"Thus, the Government will be able to respond more quickly to the needs of the community for improved infrastructure which will also help boost the economy," he said.

The Bill will be published in the Gazette on Friday (February 7).

End/Tuesday, February 4, 2003

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