224 Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation
(a) To require public works projects to conduct heritage impact assessments;
(b) To implement revitalisation of historic buildings through partnership
schemes;
(c) To provide economic incentives for conservation and maintenance of
privately-owned historic buildings;
(d) To set up the 'Commissioner for Heritage's Office'; and
(e) To conduct public engagement and publicity programmes.
In December 2007, the bureau promulgated the requirement for conducting heritage impact assessment in a Technical Circular (Works) for general compliance. In brief, proponents and works agents of all new capital works projects would have to consider whether their projects would affect sites or buildings of historic and archaeological significance at the project inception stage, and to conduct heritage impact assessments if the answer is affirmative. This will help prevent heritage sites. and buildings from being affected, or if impact is unavoidable, help to ensure mitigation measures are devised and the public consulted before the projects are launched.
The bureau will examine various incentive schemes, such as land exchange and transfer of development rights, to encourage private owners to preserve their historic buildings. However, given the sensitivity and complexity of these incentives, the bureau would only apply them on a case-by-case basis. In 2007, the bureau succeeded in preserving the historic building, King Yin Lei, after it was declared a Proposed Monument and explored conservation options with its owners. The bureau also started formulating a mechanism to render financial assistance to owners for the maintenance of privately-owned monuments and graded historic buildings.
In October 2007, the bureau held fruitful discussions on heritage conservation with the general public, professional and concern groups. Public engagement and transparency are important when dealing with heritage conservation. Recognising this, the bureau drew up public engagement and publicity programmes for 2008 to further promote community awareness of and participation in heritage conservation.
Antiquities and Monuments Office
The Antiquities and Monuments Office continued its task of preserving Hong Kong's heritage and promoting public awareness of it through various educational and extension projects in 2007.
The Antiquities Advisory Board has 28 appointed members. It advises the Government on sites and structures that merit protection by declaring them monuments and about other matters related to antiquities and monuments.
In 2007, restoration and repair work on a number of historic buildings were carried out, including the Tang Ancestral Hall and Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall along the Ping Shan Heritage Trail, Yeung Hau Temple in Ha Tsuen, Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall and Tai Fu Tai in San Tin, Man Mo Temple in Tai Po and Cheung Shan Kwu Tsz in Ping Che. In preparation for the full restoration of Chik Kwai Study Hall in Pat Heung to