XN000022-1993-12-24 — Page 2

1 -

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1993

HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993

A BILL THAT PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE RESTRICTION TO AND, WHERE NECESSARY, THE REDUCTION OF THE HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT USING HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KAI TAK) ARE PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE ORDINANCE.

THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHTING, THE ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIDS TO AIR NAVIGATION AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS,

FOLLOWING THE DECISION TO BUILD THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK (CLK), A NEW SET OF BUILDING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS WILL NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AND ENFORCED TO SAFEGUARD ITS FUTURE OPERATIONS.

THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE HAS THEREFORE TO BE EXTENDED TO COVER CLK.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID SINCE THE POWERS UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ARE MAINLY TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL IN NATURE AND IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE WORKLOAD OF THE COUNCIL, IT IS PROPOSED TO TRANSFER THESE POWERS TO THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (SPEL).

THE SPEL, ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL

CIVIL AVIATION, WILL BE EMPOWERED TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS FROM AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS (AHRS) AND MAY AUTHORISE THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS TO PROVIDE OR ERECT, AND THEREAFTER TO MAINTAIN ANY MARKS, GUIDING LIGHTS AND AIRCRAFT BEACONS FOR AVIATION SAFETY PURPOSES.

WHERE THE SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT SO REQUIRIES, THE SPEL MAY ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, PRESCRIBE ARRAS WITHIN WHICH NO BUILDINGS SHALL EXCEED THE HEIGHT SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER.

OF

THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO REVISE THE LEVEL OF PENALTIES FROM A FINE OF $2,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS TO A FINE $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS ΤΟ MAINTAIN THE DETERRENT EFFECT AGAINST BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.

A PROVISION IMPOSING A DAILY DEFAULT FINE OF $5,000 PER DAY FOR SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES FOR CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE HAS BEEN ADDED.

THE ABOVE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) { AMENDMENT} BILL 1993 WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 12 FOR ITS FIRST READING.

0

12