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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984
NO CUTBACKS IN WORKS PROGRAMME
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THERE HAVE BEEN NO CUTBACKS IN THE PROGRAMME OF WORKS FOR 1994-85, WHICH ACCOMMODATES AGREED LAND PRODUCTION, TRANSPORT AND INSTITUTIONAL PROJECTS THAT ARE READY TO PROCEED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE EXPLAINED THAT WHILE TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT HAD FALLEN FROM ITS PEAK OF JUST OVER $2.5 BILLION IN 1982-83 TO $2.2 BILLION IN 1983-84, AND AN ESTIMATED $1.9 BILLION IN 1984-85, THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE COMPLETION OF MANY OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY MODERNISATION PROJECTS.
ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID, EXPENDITURE ON SOME OF THE LARGER ROAD PROJECTS HAD PEAKED.
+NEVERTHELESS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON PROJECTS IN THE LAND AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, WATER SUPPLY, PUBLIC SAFETY, RECREATION AND CULTURE AND EDUCATION SECTORS HAS INCREASED; IN SOME CASES SUBSTANTIALLY, SIR JOHN SAID.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY CONTINUED TO RECOMMEND TARGETS FOR LAND PRODUCTION AND TO MONITOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THOSE TARGETS.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE, HE SAID, THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY HAS BEEN PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO:
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SETTING TARGETS FOR THE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF USE (OTHER THAN FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, WHICH HAS PRIORITY AND FOR WHICH THE SUPPLY IS GEARED TO THE HOUSINGMAVOA AUTHORITY'S REQUIREMENTS) ON THE BASIS OF ESTIMATEST JWA OF POTENTIAL DEMAND RATHER THAN ON ESTIMATES OF PRODUCTION OF NEW LAND;
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REVIEWING THE ALTERNATIVE USES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND EN M THE LIGHT OF POSSIBLE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPLY OVER REQUIREMENTS AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUING TO BE CONCENTRATED IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS AND EXAMINING WAYS IN WHICH DECENTRALISATION COULD BE ACHIEVED;
MONITORING THE POSSIBILITIES OF EXPANDING THE EXISTING URBAN RENEWAL PROGRAMMES; AND
MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF THE CONSULTANCY STUDY ON LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED.
GOVERNMENT GROSS LAND PRODUCTION IN 1984-85 IS ESTIMATED TO BE 523 HECTARES AS COMPARED WITH 390 HECTARES IN 1983-84.
THE REDUCTION IN ESTIMATED LAND PRODUCTION IN 1983-84 FROM THE ORIGINAL FORECAST OF 669 HECTARES FOLLOWED A REVIEW OF THE WORKS SCHEDULE FOR THE NEW TOWNS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
TOTAL PRODUCTION OVER THE THREE YEARS OF THE NEW FORECAST PERIOD 1985-86 TO 1987-88 IS EXPECTED TO REACH 1 990 HECTARES, HE SAID.
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