4
The Ad Hoc Group understands that the Administration has set up a sub-committee, under the existing Standing Committee on
Multi-Storey Building Management,
Building Management, to identify ways to rectify the
unfair provisions of existing DMCS. We hope to hear from the
Administration soon what avenues will be made available to
property owners who want to protect their rights under the
extended DMCs.
Recreational Leases
The fourth point I would like to make is about leases
for recreational areas. There are around 40 recreational areas
currently held by clubs
by clubs and associations in
and associations in the New Territories
and outlying islands. Most of them are voluntary, sports
non-profit making organisations such as the Boy Scouts, Y2M, C1A2,
and so on.
and
Outward Bound **r. They only
only have to pay the Government
nominal fee as rent for the use of the land.
a
(6)
For a metropolitan city such as Hong Kong, these recreational areas provide the residents with a good break from the
city life. The existence of these recreational areas therefore
has contributed to a healthy community, from the point of view of
badly-needed leisure outlets.
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However, no rent concession provision was made in the
Bill in regard to these recreational areas. I am concerned that
if annual rent at three per cent of the rateable value was to be charged, many of the organisations involved may not be able to afford to pay. Or they may have to shift the burden to their users, that is the general public, by raising the level of fees.
In both cases, it is the general public who will suffer one way or
another.
Once the Bill is passed, I hope the Government will make necessary allowances to these organisations So that they can
to operate the much-demanded recreational areas
the fear of having to contend with rising costs.
continue
without