The Government published in the Gazette today (January 16) the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulation 2015 to adjust eight fees and three economic costs payable as specified under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations.
The adjustments cover the following categories:
(a) fees relating to administration of the excavation permit (XP) system, including fees for the issuance and extension of XP, and emergency excavations; and
(b) economic costs for extension of XP for excavations in streets maintained by the Highways Department.
"In line with the 'user-pays' principle, it is the Government's policy that fees and charges should in general be set at levels sufficient to recover the full cost of providing the services.
"In order to achieve full cost recovery gradually and avoid a steep fee increase, eight existing fees relating to administration of the XP system will be increased by about 9.4 per cent to 10.2 per cent. In addition, three economic costs for extension of XP for excavations in streets maintained by the Highways Department will be increased by about 14 per cent to 22 per cent to maintain sufficient incentive for the excavation permittees to complete their works as soon as possible," a spokesman for the Development Bureau said.
The Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on January 21. Subject to approval by negative vetting, the revised fees and economic costs will come into effect on March 27.
Ends/Friday, January 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:00
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