The Land and Development Advisory Committee (LDAC) held the first meeting today (October 8) since the commencement of its new term on July 1, 2015. Members were briefed on the Government's 2014 Area Assessments of Industrial Land in the Territory (2014 Assessments) and the invitation for expression of interest (EOI) exercise for the development of the Tourism Node (TN) at Kai Tak.
The members noted that the 2014 Assessments is the fourth round of similar assessment conducted by the Planning Department. It aims to examine the latest usage of the existing 1,448 privately-owned industrial buildings (IBs) in five land use zonings covering about 510 hectares, with a view to planning and utilising the industrial land resources more effectively. The five land use zonings are "Industrial", "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Business", "Residential (Group A)", "Residential (Group E)" and "Comprehensive Development Area".
The 2014 Assessments included analyses on the age, condition and ownership of individual IBs, and the usage, business nature, and the numbers of workers engaged in individual IB units. Its recommendations included retaining most of the sites in the said five zones and formulating suitable planning objectives and strategies according to the needs and actual circumstances of the different areas, including factors such as the existing usage, development potential, trend of transformation and redevelopment opportunities.
The members noted the Planning Department's findings and recommendations and considered that the Government should continue to make reference to the findings of the 2014 Assessments in the future planning of industrial land. The members were also of the view that the Government should continue to undertake similar assessments in future.
The members were also briefed by the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) on the invitation for EOI exercise for the TN development. The TN development on a 5.93-hectare site is a major component of the Kai Tak Fantasy (KTF). The KTF project encompasses a visionary plan to develop the former airport runway tip and its adjoining areas into a world-class tourism, entertainment and leisure hub. The early development of the TN would create better synergy with the existing Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the planned hotel and residential developments along the former runway.
The members supported the EOI exercise for the TN to tap market responses for the development of this unique harbourfront site. They believed that the exercise would facilitate the formulation of appropriate development and land tender requirements. They also noted the proposed development approach of the TN Site and considered that the Government should continue its effort to realise the vision of KTF and bring the greatest benefit to the society.
Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:46
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