XN000022-1983-09-16 — Page 9

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1983

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THE EXISTING LEGISLATION ENABLES AN OWNER TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN RESPECT OF HIS BUILDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING OUT BUILDING WORKS THEREIN, WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC, IN CASES WHERE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS SERVED A NOTICE REQUIRING CERTAIN BUILDING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

HOWEVER, SIMILAR POWER IS AVAILABLE TO THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ONLY IN CASES INVOLVING AN ELEMENT OF DANGER, AND THIS POWER IS REQUIRED TO BE EXTENDED TO ALL OTHER SITUATIONS.

THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.

IF APPROVED, IT WILL COME INTO EFFECT IN THE SECOND HALF OF NOVEMBER.

BOARDS HELP MONITOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

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BETTER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENTS CAN HELP REDUCE THE EXTENT OF INCONVENIENCE OR AVOID PROBLEMS IN A NEWLY DEVELOPED AREA, THE YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

WITH THE ADVENT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH ORGANISATIONS AS DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, HE SAID, THE PROGRESS OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS WOULD BE MORE CLOSELY MONITORED TO ENSURE THEIR TIMELY COMPLETION.

+FURTHERMORE, THE NEEDS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES WILL BE REFLECTED AND REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN MORE READILY.+

MR WONG WAS SPEAKING ON THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND REMEDIAL MEASURES BEING TAKEN WITH REGARD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF EAST TSIM SHA TSUI AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF KWUN TONG DINNER MEETING.

HE SAID PLANS TO DEVELOP EAST TSIM SHA TSUI, A 25-HECTARE SITE FROM THE FORMER KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY SIDINGS SOUTH OF CHATHAM ROAD, INTO A HIGH CLASS RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREA HAD MET WITH SOME PROBLEMS WHEN DEVELOPMENT TOOK SHAPE IN 1980.

THESE INCLUDED:

* SHORTAGE OF PARKING SPACES WHICH LED TO INDISCRIMINATE

ON-STREET PARKINGI

*

TRAFFIC CONGESTION ALONG MODY ROAD;

*

INADEQUATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO SERVE THE AREA; AND

*

SLOW PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOVERNMENT SITES WHICH RESULTED IN THE BARREN AND OFTEN UNSIGHTLY APPEARANCE AROUND THE COMPLETED PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.

/BUT HR JONG

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