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122
Computerization
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Accounts & Supply Section of the U.S.D. is the venue of our first venture into computerization. The computer installed last month will result in more timely and detailed financial inventory reports to further improve control over the Council finances. It will be designed to maintain records and statistics relating to energy consumption. A growing cost factor in our operation thus enabling the Department to initiate energy conservation wherever possible.
In addition, the Council has recently signed an $8 million contract to computerize all ticket outlets at various performing venues. To be operational by the end of this year.
The Clean H.K. Campaign has got off to a good start and most Councillors have been involved in district clean up. But, when I see the mess lying around popular parks, picnic spots and so on the morning after a holiday, I wonder just how effectively the Clean H.K. message is getting across. A deplorable feature creeping into the Hong Kong scene is the vandalizing of litter and rubbish containers. Unthinking people with anti-social tendencies are throwing litter bins plus contents down hillsides; much to the frustration of the beat sweepers. I have drawn this new development to the notice of the Clean Hong Kong Committee.
Public Housing
Turning to public housing, in which many past and present members of this Council play a leading role. The Housing Authority will keep up its production rate of 35,000 flats this financial year. There are now no fewer than 106 public rental estates and 16 Home Ownership estates, housing over two million people or something approaching 40 per cent of our population.
The New Towns continue to grow in size, population and importance. Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun now have between them 29 rental estates and seven Home Ownership estates, while Tai Po and Yuen Long have three rental and one Home Ownership estate. The next New Town to come into being will be in the Sheung Shui/Fan Ling district where two new estates are now nearing completion, and planning has now reached an advanced stage for a seventh New Town at Junk Bay.
Many more public housing and Home Ownership construction projects are in various stages of completion, and as Chairman of the Housing Authority Building Committee it gives me considerable satisfaction to report that at present there are no fewer than 116,000 flats in various stages of production throughout the territory.
We are not only mass producing public housing for the deserving, but we are supplying in all new and redeveloped estates, proper shopping, marketing, community and other facilities, to provide estate residents with their every need. In fact, I commend anyone interested in what is being done on the public housing front to visit one of the New Towns, and see for themselves the high standard of construction and planning and, in the commercial centres, a range of facilities and services comparable with similar developments in the private sector. However, lest I'm painting too rosy a picture of the overall situation, let me point out that legal and illegal immigrants which entered Hong Kong in large numbers prior to the ending of ‘touch base policy' in October last year, have created a substantial additional and unexpected demand for housing. This coupled with the series of disastrous squatter fires rendering more than 30,000 people homeless has made the Authority's task more difficult than it has ever been before. Illegal squatting spreads rapidly and is difficult to keep under control. Only the provision of adequate temporary housing will solve this problem. Meanwhile, a vigorous attempt is being made to create some order in these overcrowded squatter areas to reduce the fire risk.
As you, Mr. Chairman, have said, the formation of the District Advisory Boards in the Urban area creates a new opportunity for public service to Councillors. It also provides a new channel for us to ascertain district opinion on the provision of Urban Council facilities.
By the middle of March, with the inauguration of the Central & Western District Advisory Board, which will be the Board I will serve on, all District Advisory Boards with their quota of Urban Councillors will be in full operation. I am sure we all look forward to this new challenge.
I also wish to pay tribute to the Urban Services Dept. who carry the burden of executing the policies of this Council. Day and night and in all weathers, the outside staff maintain the effort to sustain and improve the standard of cleanliness and hygiene in our thriving but overcrowded urban areas. The efforts are appreciated as without their dedication the fabric of our society would soon become eroded.
In conclusion, I echo your congratulations to His Excellency the Governor who during the years of his command of the good ship Hong Kong, has proved a true friend and supporter of this Council.
I second the motion before the Council.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English):- Mr. Chairman, today, I would like to mention that I feel a happier atmosphere among Members, and that makes for better co-operation. Success can only be achieved when each member is permitted to take up responsibility without harassment and discrimination.
I will leave others to speak on other aspects of Council work, while I shall say only a few words about libraries. Our plans for library expansion are going ahead well, and in the very near future two new small static libraries will be opened, one in Kowloon Bay and the other in Shun Lee Estate. Other full-scale libraries are sorely needed in Mong Kok and Wong Tai Sin, but until suitable premises are available, we have to wait.
123
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 83 of 146
Page 83 of 146
122
Computerization
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Accounts & Supply Section of the U.S.D. is the venue of our first venture into computerization. The computer installed last month will result in more timely and detailed financial inventory reports to further improve control over the Council finances. It will be designed to maintain records and statistics relating to energy consumption. A growing cost factor in our operation thus enabling the Department to initiate energy conservation wherever possible.
In addition, the Council has recently signed an $8 million contract to computerize all ticket outlets at various performing venues. To be operational by the end of this year.
The Clean H.K. Campaign has got off to a good start and most Councillors have been involved in district clean up. But, when I see the mess lying around popular parks, picnic spots and so on the morning after a holiday, I wonder just how effectively the Clean H.K. message is getting across. A deplorable feature creeping into the Hong Kong scene is the vandalizing of litter and rubbish containers. Unthinking people with anti-social tendencies are throwing litter bins plus contents down hillsides; much to the frustration of the beat sweepers. I have drawn this new development to the notice of the Clean Hong Kong Committee.
Public Housing
Turning to public housing, in which many past and present members of this Council play a leading role. The Housing Authority will keep up its production rate of 35 000 flats this financial year. There are now no fewer than 106 public rental estates and 16 Home Ownership estates, housing over two million people or something approaching 40 per cent of our population.
The New Towns continues to grow in size, population and importance. Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun now have between them 29 rental estates and seven Home Ownership estates, while Tai Po and Yuen Long have three rental and one Home Ownership estate. The next New Town to come into being will be in the Sheung Shui/Fan Ling district where two new estates are now nearing completion, and planning has now reached an advanced stage for a seventh New Town at Junk Bay.
Many more public housing and Home Ownership construction projects are in various stages of completion, and as Chairman of the Housing Authority Building Committee it gives me considerable satisfaction to report that at present there are no fewer than 116000 flats in various stages of production throughout the territory.
We are not only mass producing public housing for the deserving, but we are supplying in all new and redeveloped estates, proper shopping, marketing, community and other facilities, to provide estate residents with their every need. In fact, I commend anyone interested in what is being done on the public
1
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 83 of 146
123
housing front to visit one of the New Towns, and see for themselves the high standard of construction and planning and, in the commercial centres, a range of facilities and services comparable with similar developments in the private ctor. However, less I'm painting too rosy a picture of the overall situation, let me point out that legal and illegal immigrants which entered Hong Kong in large numbers prior to the ending of ‘touch base policy' in October last year, have created a substantial additional and unexpected demand for housing. This coupled with the series of disastrous squatter fires rendering more than 30 000 people homeless has made the Authority's task more difficult than it has ever been before. Illegal squatting spreads rapidly and is difficult to keep under control. Only the provision of adequate temporary housing will solve this problem. Meanwhile, a vigorous attempt is being made to create some order in these overcrowded squatter areas to reduce the fire risk.
As you, Mr. Chairman, have said, the formation of the District Advisory Boards in the Urban area creates a new opportunity for public service to Councillors. It also provides a new channel for us to ascertain district opinion on the provision of Urban Council facilities.
By the middle of March, with the inauguration of the Central & Western District Advisory Board, which will be the Board I will serve on, all District Advisory Boards with their quota of Urban Councillors will be in full operation. I am sure we all look forward to this new challenge.
I also wish to pay tribute to the Urban Services Dept. who carry the burden of executing the policies of this Council. Day and night and in all weathers, the outside staff maintain the effort to sustain and improve the standard of cleanliness and hygiene in our thriving but overcrowded urban areas. The efforts are appreciated as without their dedication the fabric of our society would soon become eroded.
In conclusion, I echo your congratulations to His Excellency the Governor who during the years of his command of the good ship Hong Kong, has proved a true friend and supporter of this Council.
I second the motion before the Council.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English):- Mr. Chairman, today, I would like to mention that I feel a happier atmosphere among Members, and that makes for better co- operation. Success can only be achieved when each member is permitted to take up responsibility without harassment and discrimination.
I will leave others to speak on other aspects of Council work, while I shall say only a few words about libraries. Our plans for library expansion are going ahead well, and in the very near future two new small static libraries will be opened, one in Kowloon Bay and the other in Shun Lec Estate. Other full-scale libraries are sorely needed in Mong Kok and Wong Tai Sin, but until suitable
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