XN000022-1980-02-13 — Page 15

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

MEASURES TO INCREASE LAND SUPPLY AND HOUSING

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THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES TODAY OUTLINED VARIOUS MEASURES TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF LAND AND HOUSING.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE RENT CONTROL BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MR JONES DIVIDED THE MEASURES INTO SHORT-TERM ONES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO BOOST HOUSING PRODUCTION AND LONG-TERM ONES WHICH ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS INCREASED LAND PRODUCTION.

THE SHORT-TERM MEASURES ARE:

(1) MEASURES ARE ALREADY BEING TAKEN TO CLOSELY MONITOR

THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT ALL LAND THAT CAN BE SOLD IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AND TO REDUCE SLIPPAGES TO THE MINIMUM.

(2) GOVERNMENT PLANS TO MODIFY VARIOUS RESTRICTIVE POLICIES

ON DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING THE COVERAGE OF DENSITY ZONING CONTROLS.

(3) THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND

PRODUCTION, IS MONITORING LAND PRODUCTION THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND WORKING ON TARGETS DESIGNED TO MEET FUTURE NEEDS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES INCLUDING HOUSING.

(4) A SERIES OF MEASURES ARE IN HAND TO INCREASE THE

OUTPUT OF HIGH CLASS AND MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WHERE THERE APPEARS TO BE A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF SUPPLY AT PRESENT. SOME 11 LARGE SITES FOR THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION, AND IF DEVELOPED, THEY COULD PRODUCE UP TO 1 700 NEW FLATS.

(5) A PROGRAMME IS BEING WORKED OUT OF JOINT VENTURE

PROJECTS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT AT HIGHER DENSITIES OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENT QUARTERS SITES.

(6) POLICY PROPOSALS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE

GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL SHORTLY ON PERMITTING REDEVELOPMENT AT INCREASED DENSITIES OF SITES WHICH WERE GRANTED MAINLY IN THE 50S AND 60S ON CONCESSIONARY TERMS TO VARIOUS FIRMS FOR WORKERS' QUARTERS.

SOME

20 TO 30 LOTS INVOLVED HAVE SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL HOUSING POTENTIAL.

(7) THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING PROPOSALS TO SELL UNFORME D

AND UNSERVICED LAND IN BULK FOR DEVELOPMENT BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

/MR JONES