LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
through the formulation of an adequate planning and administrative framework to guide development and the provision of essential infrastructure and amenities. The strategy was approved by the Executive Council in March 1989 as a basis for further planning, programming and implementation of relevant works programmes at a cost of about $4 billion.
One of the major streams of follow-up work related to the RPIS is the revision and updating of the non-metropolitan Sub-regional Development Strategies. Other tasks include the monitoring and review of development management guidelines for the rural areas of the New Territories; undertaking studies and forward planning on sites for open storage uses and village expansion; and reviewing the rural upgrading concept in the context of the management of urban transition areas, rural activity areas, recreation priority areas and countryside conservation areas. Various options and institutional mechanisms for the development or redevelopment and management of these rural areas are being proposed in relation to statutory planning and other administrative controls. These studies/reviews also take into account the extent of urban or non-rural development pressures as well as future housing, industrial and port-related uses arising from the Long Term Housing Strategy, the Port and Airport Development Strategy and other major strategic studies in these areas.
At district level, RPIS activities include the preparation and processing of village and other layout plans to provide guidance for early implementation of village improvement schemes, infrastructural and other works under the RPIS programme. Relevant develop- ment works items are initially included in district-based RPIS programmes co-ordinated and monitored by the district Rural Development Working Groups.
The overall policy and development management aspects of the RPIS are monitored by the RPIS Monitoring Group, while the Rural Development Steering Committee oversees and monitors progress on the implementation of the Rural Development Programmes.
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Land Administration
The Lands Administration Office of the Buildings and Lands Department co-ordinates all aspects of land administration throughout the territory.
The office's main functions are to acquire sufficient land for the government's development programmes, to dispose of sufficient land to meet demand and to manage government land.
Although most government land available for private sector development is sold by public auction or tender, land is made available at nominal premium to the Housing Authority for its public rental estates and to non-profit-making charitable institutions which operate schools, hospitals, social welfare and other community services.
A land sales programme is issued at the beginning of each year and updated regularly showing the details of public auctions and tenders which are normally held each month. Land in the New Territories is often sold by way of letter B tender, which means that only holders of letter B entitlements are able to bid. These land exchange entitlements were used in the past for the acquisition of land in the New Territories but have ceased being issued since 1983.
Land usage statistics are at Appendix 35.