3.37 Within the Valuation Branch of the Crown Lands and Survey Office, analysis of all available land transaction data essential to the function of the Branch and its support of the Land Branch, Town Planning Office and other Government departments, is a continuing job. Its forward planning is based on known commitments for regrant and renewal of Crown leases and on the need to give effect to urban renewal, environmental improvement and long term highways development.
3.38 The Town Planning Office bases its work on the need to meet the demands of a population growing both in number and sophistication. It is necessary to ensure that sufficient land is available for public and private housing, for commerce and industry, for recreation and community uses, for communications and other uses. The Office uses data supplied by the Census and Statistics Department and other Government departments, and from field research, to assess the future requirements of the community and translates these requirements into planning proposals on statutory outline zoning plans and departmental outline development and layout plans.
WATER
3.39 The demand for fresh water for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes has risen from 0.11 million cubic metres per day in 1946 to 1.12 million cubic metres per day during 1976/77.
3.40 The strong recovery of the average daily demand continued during the year, reflecting the general improvement in the economy. As a result, demand was some six months in advance of the projected trend, but no need was seen to review the medium term increase of 6% per annum previously forecast.
3.41 Apart from the overall growth of demand, the distribution of demand varies according to the pattern of development and redevelopment. Thus a continuous review of planning proposals is necessary so that resources can be developed and the associated treatment works, pumping stations, pipelines, service reservoirs and distribution systems can be built to satisfy the demand for water.
3.42 The variability in the rainfall into, and the volume of storage and size of catchment areas of the sixteen reservoirs which at present provide Hong Kong's fresh water supply, impose a need to plan the various draw-offs so that the productivity of the collective sources is maximised whilst maintaining adequate safeguards for supply to individual areas.
3.43 Planning for the development of the salt water flushing systems is similarly required. During the year, these systems supplied 0.20 million cubic metres daily for sanitary purposes.
3.44 During the year there was an escalation in planning for future development. The corresponding need for more water required properly co-ordinated planning and programming for the development of water
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