16-NOV-1990 19:25
HK GOVERNMENT HOUSE
+852 521 1868
P.13
Bill, and in any case his decisions, to become effective and
enforceable, will have to be confirmed by the Board. So it
may be unnecessary to consider appeal procedures against
these powers which will be in force for so short a time.
14.
Sir, let me finally stress that the
Government's objective is not to freeze private rights.
Indeed the legislation does not have this result. Its
purpose is to introduce proper planning and land use
management in the rural areas by extending statutory
planning jurisdiction to cover the whole territory. We wish
to ensure that development in the rural areas will proceed
in the right place under the right conditions and to promote
planned redevelopment of degraded areas. We need to do this
early because of the pace of changes in the environment
already happening. I am fully aware of, and appreciate, the
worries that landowners in the rural areas have about these
proposals though I believe them to be mistaken. For this
reason I have held several discussions with representatives
of the Heung Yee Kuk and shall continue the dialogue. I do
not imagine that statutory rural planning will be without
its problems, and it will need a constructive approach if
the development of the rural areas and the gradual
improvement of its environment are to make any progress.
!