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FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1975
PRIORITY FOR IMPORTANT BUILDING PROJECTS
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THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IS PLAYING AN ACTIVE AND VIGOROUS PART IN THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME OF PRIORITY FOR IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WHICH CAN IMPROVE THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TONIGHT BY THE HEAD OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, MA EDWARD KEMNARD, IN A TALK TO THE PENINSULA LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, HE REVEALED THAT HIS OFFICE WAS HANDLING 50 BUILDING PROJECTS WHICH HAD BEEN GIVEN PRIORITY STATUS BY THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS THEY WILL BRING TO THE COMMUNITY.
>THEY INCLUDE, HE SAID, PROPOSALS FOR LARGE RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, OIL STORAGE DEPOTS, A MANUFACTURING PLANT FOR THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY AND THE LIKE.
+PRIORITY STATUS MEANS THAT EVERY GOVERNMENT OFFICER CONCERNED WITH A SELECTED PROJECT IS BOUND TO TREAT HIS PART IN PROCESSING IT AS A MATTER OF URGENCY. THE PROJECT WOULD BE REVIEWED AT REGULAR AND FREQUENT INTERVALS SO THAT THE DELAYS INVOLVED IN CORRESPONDENCE TO AND FRO CAN BE AVOIDED.+
MR KENNARD, WHO IS PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE TWO COMPLEMENTARY SYSTEMS FOR THE GRANTING OF PRIORITIES.
+FIRSTLY, WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT. HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS ARE HELD TO DETERMINE WHETHER PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE MERIT PRIORITY. THE MAIN CRITERIA ARE:' IS THE SCHEME IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST? FOR EXAMPLE, DOES IT PROVIDE HOUSING ON A LARGE SCALE? DOES IT ATTRACT OVERSEAS CAPITAL? DOES IT INTRODUCE NEW INDUSTRIES INTO HONG KONG? CAN IT PROCEED QUICKLY IF GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT?'
+SECONDLY, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL ALSO GRANT PRIORITY TO OTHER PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS WHICH MEET THE REQUISITE CRITERIA. THIS IS DONE THROUGH THE B.0.0. PRIORITIES COMMITTEE WHICH CONSIDERS APPLICATIONS FROM ANY DEVELOPER OR HIS AGENT.
+QUITE RIGHTLY, MR KENNARD ADDED, ALL DECISIONS MADE IN THIS COMMITTEE REQUIRE RATIFICATION FROM THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS, THE COMMITTEE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: IS THE SCHEME IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST? HAS IT THE SUPPORT OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS? IS CAPITAL READILY AVAILABLE? CAN WORK START IMMEDIATELY?+
MR KENNARD SAID THAT THE CONCEPT OF GIVING PRIORITIES IN THIS MANNER WAS A NEW ONE, AND WE MUST WELCOME IT, FOR IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO THINK AND ACT POSITIVELY AND NOT JUST LEAVE IT TO THE DEVELOPER TO SORT OUT THE DIFFICULTIES FOR HIMSELF.*
/EC GAVE