LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
Ownership Schemes projects have been proposed for construction in 1996. Upon full development, Ma On Shan will house 200 000 people.
The programme to improve conditions in the old villages in and around Sha Tin continues. The village improvement schemes for Hin Tin, Sheung Keng Hau and Ha Keng Hau were completed in 1994. The extension of Sha Tin Tau Village started in 1995 and was completed in mid-1996. Servicing and minor formation works are being carried out for villages at Ngau Pei Sha, Chap Wai Kon and To Shek.
Tai Po
In the past 20 years, Tai Po has grown from a small market town of 25 000 into a new town with a population of 259 000 on about 1 270 hectares of land.
This new town is well developed with the major infrastructure in place, including the Tai Po sewage treatment works, which will cater for the remaining development in the town area and the industrial estate.
The Nethersole Hospital was completed in 1996 and the Tai Po Convalescent/ Infirmary Hospital will be completed in 1997. Phase 1 of the Waterfront Park near Fu Shin Estate was open to public in 1996 and Phase 2 will be completed in early 1997.
Fanling and Sheung Shui
Fanling and Sheung Shui, which are close to the Chinese border, sustain a population of around 195 000 people on about 773 hectares of land. Their combined population is expected to increase to 230 000 by the turn of the century.
The construction of the North District Hospital is continuing. Planning and implementation of various flood control measures are under way in the upstream and downstream sections of River Indus to tie in with the Shenzhen River regulation project to provide significant flood relief by end 2001.
Tuen Mun
Tuen Mun, in the West New Territories, is developed mainly on land reclaimed from Castle Peak Bay and on platforms formed in the valley between Castle Peak and the Tai Lam Hills. About 1 200 hectares of land have been provided for development.
About 73 per cent of the town's 432 000 people live in public housing developments, which comprise 11 public rental estates and 16 home ownership and private sector participation schemes. Within the next five years, four more home ownership and private sector participation schemes and one public rental estate will be developed to accommodate an additional 65 000 people. Together with some low-density private housing developments along the south-eastern coast, the new town will provide homes for about 490 000 people by 2001.
A 125-hectare site in western Tuen Mun has been earmarked for special industries. A terminal for river trade with China is being developed by the private sector. Reclamation work for the special industry area began in September 1995. A new thermal power station, with a 5 000MW capacity, is being built at Black Point.
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