LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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Kowloon-Canton Railway makes it possible to travel to the centre of Kowloon in less than 30 minutes.
Fanling
Fanling New Town, which includes Fanling, Luen Wo Hui, Shek Wu Hui and Sheung Shui, lies about eight kilometres north of Tai Po. It will be linked to Yuen Long, Sha Tin and Tai Po by the New Territories Circular Route now under construction. The population of the new town reached 87 900 during 1984, its projected total capacity being about 226 000. About 100 000 people will be accommodated in public sector housing. The town covers an area of about 780 hectares. Of the total development area, about 180 hectares are designated for residential and commercial development, 50 hectares for industrial development, and 160 hectares for government, institutional and community use as well as for public open space.
The existing retail and commercial 'core' of Shek Wu Hui and Luen Wo Hui will be redeveloped and the On Lok Tsuen industrial area is being improved. Provision has been made for the retention and expansion of the existing villages.
Yuen Long and Northwest New Territories
Development of Yuen Long is well advanced, with extensive areas of land to the north and south formed and serviced for residential, commercial and industrial development, and community facilities. The population has reached more than 60 000 and the projected total for the year 2000 is more than 150 000. A major new public housing estate which will accommodate more than 30 000 people by 1990 is being built at Long Ping to the northwest of the town. The two completed industrial estates at Tung Tau and Wang Chau provide over 70 hectares of serviced industrial land.
In addition to the new town, the sub-region is experiencing rapid growth and change from its former rural character. During the next decade, it is planned to build another major settlement at Tin Shui Wai, with a projected population of 135 000. This settlement will be built in an area to the west of Yuen Long, at present occupied by fish ponds. Initial work will start shortly.
A study carried out by consultants for the government on the remaining rural areas in the northwestern New Territories was completed during the year. Proposals to be considered cover road and rail links - including a major new trunk road from Tuen Mun to Au Tau and major flood protection, drainage and sewerage schemes. The study also proposes a comprehensive planning strategy to direct future development in an orderly manner, ways to upgrade existing settlements with limited intervention by the government, and ways to protect the small but valuable amount of agricultural land in the area. The major areas of urbanisation will be limited to Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and the Tuen Mun/Yuen Long Corridor.
The established settlements at Kam Tin and Lau Fau Shan will be improved and further limited expansion is planned to enable them to serve the surrounding rural areas.
Junk Bay and Sai Kung
The approved Junk Bay Outline Development Plan makes provision for 380 000 people to be accommodated within the new town. During the year, work continued on planning and design. Formation of land for the first public housing estate for 26 560 people has been completed at the head of the bay and construction of the estate is underway. The distribution of new housing is planned to be 50 per cent public rental, 30 per cent Home Ownership and Private Sector Participation Schemes, and 20 per cent private development.