HOUSING AND LAND
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end of the year it was estimated that some $100 million had been spent on the acquisition of properties in these areas.
In June, seven properties in Queen Street, Western District, were acquired by agreement for the sum of $48 million for the development of an Urban Council complex which will eventually comprise a market, sports facilities, an auditorium and open space.
Acquisition for Public Purposes
When private property needed for the implementation of public works projects cannot be acquired by negotiation, the use of compulsory powers becomes necessary. Property is then acquired under either the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance or the Mass Transit Railway (Land Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance. The year also saw the introduction of the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance whereby land required for the implementation of road projects is now resumed under this ordinance. Public works affecting existing roads, but not involving the acquisition of private land, are also dealt with under the new Roads Ordinance which replaces the former Streets (Alteration) Ordinance. These ordinances provide for the payment of compensation based on market values at the date of reversion. If agreement cannot be reached on the amount payable, either party can refer the case to the Lands Tribunal for determination.
In the New Territories, the government can acquire private land for a public purpose under the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance and statutory compensation is paid for the extinguishment of rights conferred by a lease. In respect of agricultural land within the new town development areas in the New Territories, however, acquisition is usually effected by way of offering package compensation, which comprises the payment of cash compensation in respect of at least half of the land resumed and the issue of land exchange entitlements in respect of the remainder. In the case of building land, either cash compensation based on assessed value together with an ex-gratia payment or the issue of land exchange entitlements is offered. These entitlements give the landowners an opportunity to participate in building developments and priority is usually given to holders of older land exchange entitlements. However, this system is currently under review. In respect of private land acquired outside the new town development areas, only cash compensation is offered. The need to acquire land for public purposes continues to grow and, during 1982, more than two million square metres of private land were acquired in the New Territories for the implementation of the various public works projects, largely to make way for new town developments. L
The compulsory surrender of marine rights, usually required for reclamation projects or the grant of pier leases, is effected under the Public Reclamation and Works Ordinance or the Foreshores and Sea Bed Ordinance as appropriate. These ordinances provide for the lodging of objections to a scheme and for the payment of compensation where private rights are affected. Where they involve road projects, they are dealt with under the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance.
During 1982, more than $60 million was paid in compensation for land and buildings acquired, either under compulsory powers or by agreement, in the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon,
Survey
The Survey Division of the Lands Department provides all mapping of Hong Kong, and is responsible for maintaining a network of geodetic control stations, upon which all land and engineering surveys are based, and for the definition and setting out of lot boundaries.