South East Asia and it is anticipated that, on completion, it will house up to 80,000 people. Hotels are currently a focal point of interest and, although only two were under construction at the end of the year, a number are in the planning stage.
Control and Enforcement Sections
4.13. The interaction of such diverse factors as growing families, cottage industries, high rentals, rising living standards, ignorance of the law and its purpose, lack of community conscience and inadequate building management gives rise to the high incidence of unacceptable alterations, additions and uses to be found within many of the multi-storey buildings in the Colony.
4.14. A special section in each of the three general divisions is responsible for dealing with this problem and investigates all reports and complaints received from the public or other Government departments but, with the current shortage of suitable staff and the large number of complaints received, priority is given to cases where illegal works or misuses present a significant fire, structural or health hazard to the occupants or to the public.
4.15. Whilst education of the public remains the ultimate goal, prevention being better than cure, results at the present time are mainly achieved by serving statutory notices on the owners to rectify the illegal alterations. Notices are followed by interviews and meetings, sometimes in conjunction with a City District Officer, to explain Government's objectives and to give advice on the best and most economical means of satisfying the terms of the notice.
4.16. Enforcement action in one building tends to discourage similar contraventions in neighbouring buildings and thus publicizes and assists the work of the sections. The removal of long-standing illegal works particularly where it may result in dispossession or a reduction in living or working space continues to be a frequent source of difficulty and requires considerable tact if results are to be achieved without creating circumstances which could possibly lead to a breach of the peace.
4.17. During the year 3,898 statutory notices were issued (compared with 1,429 for the previous year) for the removal of unauthorized structures or the reinstatement of the building to accord with the approved plans. At the same time 830 buildings were investigated and
South East Asia and it is anticipated that, on completion, it will house up to 80,000 people. Hotels are currently a focal point of interest and, although only two were under construction at the end of the year, a number are in the planning stage.
Control and Enforcement Sections
4.13. The interaction of such diverse factors as growing families, cottage industries, high rentals, rising living standards, ignorance of the law and its purpose, lack of community conscience and inadequate building management gives rise to the high incidence of unacceptable alterations, additions and uses to be found within many of the multi- storey buildings in the Colony.
4.14. A special section in each of the three general divisions is responsible for dealing with this problem and investigates all reports and complaints received from the public or other Government depart- ments but, with the current shortage of suitable staff and the large number of complaints received, priority is given to cases where illegal works or misuses present a significant fire, structural or health hazard to the occupants or to the public.
4.15. Whilst education of the public remains the ultimate goal, prevention being better than cure, results at the present time are mainly achieved by serving statutory notices on the owners to rectify the illegal alterations. Notices are followed by interviews and meetings, sometimes in conjunction with a City District Officer, to explain Government's objectives and to give advice on the best and most economical means of satisfying the terms of the notice.
4.16. Enforcement action in one building tends to discourage similar contraventions in neighbouring buildings and thus publicizes and assists the work of the sections. The removal of long-standing illegal works particularly where it may result in dispossession or a reduction in living or working space continues to be a frequent source of difficulty and requires considerable tact if results are to be achieved without creating circumstances which could possibly lead to a breach of the peace.
4.17. During the year 3,898 statutory notices were issued (compared with 1,429 for the previous year) for the removal of unauthorized structures or the reinstatement of the building to accord with the approved plans. At the same time 830 buildings were investigated and
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