G.S. 84
RESTRICTED
XCR (79)19
4
2
The Director of Public Works is satisfied that the area of private land to be resumed is the minimum required to implement this project.
Compensation and Clearance
5
48
As the lots to be resumed are old schedule New Kowloon agricultural lots, the owners of these lots will be offered cash compensation at the current rate of $43 per square foot as laid down in memorandum XCC(78)86 and approved by the Finance Committee on 20th December 1978. The clearance will involve both the private land and Crown land. Ex-gratia allowances will be paid to cultivators, pigbreeders, poultry farmers and fish pond operators affected by the clearance and compensation for the removal of pine trees and graves in accordance with the existing policy will be necessary. The total cost of resumption and clearance is estimated to be $6.63 million and funds are available within the approved project estimate to meet this commitment.
6
235 structures, including 3 shops will be affected by the clearance. The displaced families number around 170. If found eligible, they will be offered public housing. Ex-gratia domestic removal allowance of up to $1,000 per family eligible for permanent housing and up to $2, 800 per family eligible for temporary housing may be payable to these displaced persons. Genuine cultivator- families who opt to continue cultivation elsewhere may be eligible instead for an ex-gratia rehabilitation allowance of $5,000 per family but will forfeit their priority for public housing. Ex-gratia allowances will be offered to eligible shop operators according to the present policy. Funds are available for this purpose from the compensation vote of the Housing Department.
Recommendation
7
The institution of formal resumption proceedings is recommended in the event that agreement with landowners for the voluntary surrender of their property cannot be reached and in order to avoid delays which may be caused, inter alia, by succession difficulties or absentee landowners. As clearance and engineering works are scheduled to commence in June 1979, three months' notice of resumption is recommended.
RESTRICTED