XN000022-1986-10-08 — Page 19

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1986

HEAVY INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL WORKS TO CONTINUE

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO INVEST HEAVILY IN CAPITAL WORKS FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, WITH THE APPROVED PROVISION FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, EXCLUDING LAND ACQUISITION COSTS, BEING NEARLY $5.4 BILLION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

POINTING OUT THAT OVER 55 PER CENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE WAS ON HIGHWAYS AND ENGINEERING PROJECTS, SIR EDWARD SAID MAJOR PROJECTS THIS YEAR INCLUDED THE HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION, A FUTURE STAGE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, AND REALIGNMENT OF THE SHENZHEN RIVER.

+BUILDING PROJECTS INCLUDE PRELIMINARY WORK ON THE EASTERN DISTRICT HOSPITAL, THE EXTENSION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL AND A GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK IN WAN CHAI,+ HE SAID.

+THERE IS ALSO SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS, AND IMPROVED FACILITIES TO HANDLE INCREASED WATER SUPPLIES FROM CHINA.+

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT OVER $360 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED FOR ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS, WHILE NEARLY $18 MILLION WAS PROVIDED FOR IMPROVING ACCESS, DRAINAGE, WATER SUPPLIES AND OTHER BASIC SERVICES IN SQUATTER AREAS.

HE ADDED THAT ANOTHER MAJOR AREA OF EXPENDITURE WAS THE PROVISION OF RECREATION AND CULTURAL FACILITIES.

+OVER $370 MILLION IS EARMARKED FOR SUCH PROJECTS, MANY OF THEM IN THE NEW TOWNS WHERE THERE IS A GROWING DEMAND FOR THEM,+ HE SAID.

ANOTHER PRODUCTIVE YEAR IN PUBLIC HOUSING

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THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL EXCEED ITS ANNUAL TARGET FOR THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR THIS YEAR WITH OVER 43 000 FLATS BEING ADDED TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN HIS ANNUAL SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT AT THIS RATE, THE OUTSTANDING DEMAND FOR RENTAL HOUSING SHOULD BE MET BY THE MID-1990'S.

+STEADY PROGRESS CONTINUES TO BE MADE IN IMPROVING THE STANDARDS OF NEW PUBLIC HOUSING AND IN UPGRADING THE AUTHORITY'S OLDER PROPERTIES, HE ADDED.

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IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SIR EDWARD SAID PRODUCTION WAS FORECAST TO REACH A RECORD 37 000 FLATS IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR, RISING TO 38 000 IN 1987.

THESE FLATS,