LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
206
Fewer new building proposals were received during the year. This not only reflects the limited availability of land for development but could also be interpreted as a tendency to slow down building development projects at a time of uncertainty after the events in China. The number of occupation permits issued for completed buildings decreased steadily, numbering 510 compared with 542 in 1988. The amount of usable floor area provided reached 3 620 782 square metres and the total expanded cost of new building works was $16,244 million.
It is now becoming more widely known that the Buildings Ordinance Office is also involved in controlling works in completed buildings. In overcrowded urban conditions, it is not easy to deal with the perennial problem of unauthorised building works. However, increased publicity has heightened awareness that swift enforcement action will be taken against unauthorised works which are a danger to life or property. Apart from having to remove the works, offenders can be taken to court and may be subjected to heavy fines.
The Buildings Ordinance Office is also tackling the problem of deterioration in the older generation of high-rise and reinforced-concrete buildings. Poor maintenance over the years means that the risk of some of these buildings becoming dangerous is increasing. To ensure that any potentially-dangerous situations are detected, enhanced planned surveys of private sector buildings were commenced in the Buildings Ordinance Office in October 1989. This important development will systematically examine building problems on a district-by- district basis. Using powers available in the Buildings Ordinance, comprehensive clearance programmes will be established which will require the demolition of unauthorised building works, eliminate danger arising from deteriorating structural elements, remove dangerous advertising signs and effect the repair of defective drainage systems.
Public Building
The Architectural Services Department undertakes building projects under the Public Works Programme and the building programmes of the Urban and Regional Councils and the British Forces.
During 1988-9 the department completed 107 building contracts under various programmes at a total cost, including minor works, of $2,522 million. In addition to this the Maintenance Branch of the department spent $636 million in providing routine maintenance and minor alteration work to about 6 600 government, Urban and Regional Councils' and British Forces' buildings and property. The branch was also involved in providing emergency accommodation for the increasing numbers of Vietnamese boat people at a cost of $300 million. The overall expenditure of $3,158 million shows an increase of 16 per cent over 1987-8 expenditure of $2,705 million.
Tendering on all types of projects continued to be very active and competitive. During the 12-month period to March 1989, tender prices increased by about 13 per cent, while over the same period labour and basic materials costs rose by 26 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, reflecting the high level of activity and shortage of labour in the construction industry.
The Subvented Projects Division of the Architectural Services Department advises departments providing subvention to private organisations for building, repair and maintenance works. These include subventions provided by the Education, Health, Hospital Services, Technical Education and Industrial Training, and Social Welfare de- partments and the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee. The total government capital commitment for these projects in the Capital Works Reserve Fund is over $7,400 million, with expenditure exceeding $1,000 million during the year. The Lotteries Fund also