XN000022-1972-11-29 — Page 12

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Wednesday, November 29, 1972

TOUGH ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES

The Director of Public Works, the Hon. J.J. Robson, today announced

government's determination to act against illegal structures at newly

completed buildings.

Speaking on the Buildings (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1972 in the

Legislative Council this afternoon, he said experience in recent years had

indicated that the building legislation required strengthening and enlarging.

He stressed that these measures were especially necessary to contral

the activities of those "enterprising gentlemen" who carried out wholesale

modicications to buildings immediately an occupation certificate was issued.

Referring to today's press reports concerning a joint inspection

at Nos. 1026-1046, King's Road, Mr. Robson described the scale of alterations

at the premises as "incredible." "And that is an understatement."

He said legal opinion was being taken on the measures which could

be adopted to remedy the situation at these buildings, including, if

necessary, re-entry of each and every flat which contains illegal work.

In due course, Mr. Robson said the Buildings Ordinance had to be

re-written to metric standards. "I am, therefore, making a recommendation

that work starts immediately on a comprehensive redrafting of all our

building legislation to cover not only the needs of metrication but also to

remedy the many defects and deficencies which are now apparent," he said.

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