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The Town Planning White Bill, on the other hand, seeks to make the statutory planning process more open and accountable to the public, to streamline procedures and enhance efficiency. It gives more emphasis on environmental and urban design considerations, add certainty to the planning system and enhance effectiveness in planning control.
Views on the TDS Review and the Town Planning White Bill should be sent in writing before December 31, 1996 to the Planning Department, 16th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong
Kong (Fax: 2877 0389 or E-mail: [email protected]).
End
Junk Bay Columbarium opens
The seventh and largest columbarium directly administered by the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries was opened today (Monday) in Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery.
The aesthetically designed project soared over eight stories on a gentle slope overlooking the tranquil waters of Junk Bay. Occupying a total floor area of more than 14,800 square metres, it has over 57,000 niches.
Speaking after unveiling a memorial plaque marking the official opening of the columbarium, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, who is also ex- officio Chairman of the Board, said the project site has room for future expansion, noting that it is relatively distant from densely populated areas.
Mr Suen added that Phase I of the columbarium, which took 15 months to complete at a cost of $140 million on December 15, 1995, would provide 38.5 per cent of the 149,000 niches in the seven columbaria administered by the Board.
Mr Suen also noted that a special area has been designated in the columbarium prohibiting the burning of joss sticks and joss papers. This is to accommodate those people, particularly the Catholics and the Christians, who refrain from such acts in paying respects to their deceased relatives.