LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
demand and forecast of land supply for housing and other major land uses; and continued the work on the Port Development Strategy and the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy.
It was also engaged in other forward planning activities including efforts to co- ordinate the formulation of the urban renewal strategy and programme; in development control for the districts and conducting site search exercises for major uses/developments; and in undertaking enforcement action against unauthorised developments in designated rural areas.
Review of the Town Planning Ordinance
The Town Planning Ordinance was first enacted in 1939. In view of the increasing complexity of Hong Kong's social, economic and political environment, the Government believes that necessary changes should be made to the ordinance to meet community aspirations.
In 1991, a consultative document on the comprehensive review of the Town Planning Ordinance was published for public comment. A Special Committee was also set up to consider the complex and contentious issues of compensation and betterment. Public comments received on the consultative document and the recommendations of the Special Committee provided important input towards the formulation of legislative proposals to improve the planning system.
In view of the quantity and complex nature of the proposals involved, the Government decided to prepare a new piece of planning legislation with a view to replacing the existing one. The Town Planning Bill was then published in July 1996 in the form of a White Bill for public consultation. The comments received were diverse and on some issues conflicting. The Government, therefore, decided to introduce interim measures, pending further study on the various issues relating to the comprehensive overhaul of the ordinance, to shorten the existing statutory plan- making process. In 1998, an amendment was made to the ordinance to impose a statutory nine-month period within which objections to statutory plans should be considered.
In the interest of a more careful consideration and discussion of the public views, the Government has further consulted key stakeholders, including professional institutes and Legislative Council members on the Town Planning Bill. The consultation exercise has been completed and the Government will introduce the bill into the Legislative Council for consideration in early 2000.
Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
This is a government document of planning criteria and guidelines for determining the quantity, scale, location and site requirements of various land uses and facilities. It applies to planning studies, and the preparation or revision of town plans. The document is constantly under review to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics and social and economic trends. During the year, planning standards and guidelines for community halls, social welfare facilities, study rooms, utility services (overhead transmission lines), refuse collection points in rural area and remote villages, petrol filling stations and pedestrian facilities were revised.
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