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New land will not flood market
There is no question of flooding the market with new land from reclamation because the land designated for residential or commercial purposes will be produced gradually over a period of years and form a "land bank" to ensure there is a steady and continuous supply to meet demand, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Tony Eason, said today (Tuesday).
Speaking at a press conference to elaborate on issues within his schedule in the 1995/96 Budget, Mr Eason said reclamation had always been a major way of supplying much needed land for housing and other infrastructure developments both to improve the quality of life and to sustain economic growth.
"We approve reclamation projects only when we are fully satisfied with the results of very comprehensive studies to assess the feasibility, in particular the impact on the environment and marine traffic.
"Where necessary, we will make sure mitigation measures will be in place to minimise the impact," Mr Eason said.
He said the bulk of reclaimed land would be used to provide much- needed open space to improve the living environment, particularly in the old and congested areas.
"Of the 1,100 hectares which we plan to reclaim, about 790 hectares or 72 per cent will be used for open space, new roads and other community
purposes.
"Only 27 per cent will be used for commercial or residential developments."
On schemes currently being implemented, he noted that almost 40 per cent of the new land at the West Kowloon Reclamation had been set aside for the Airport Railway, the West Kowloon Expressway and other new roads connecting the Western Harbour Crossing while the commercial or residential development would only take up
per cent.
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