ENG-1983 — Page 185

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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Although still largely in its infancy, industrial development in the new town is progres- sing rapidly. About 30 hectares of industrial land within the core of Tuen Mun have been developed, accommodating a wide range of light manufacturing industries and godowns. New sites are being formed and serviced to meet the growing needs of a wide variety of industrial operations. Development of cargo handling facilities is also proposed at suitable locations along the waterfront, while development of the Castle Peak Power Station and a cement plant is already at an advanced stage.

To keep pace with the day-to-day needs of this growing community, a wide range of social and community facilities is being developed. Many facilities which serve individual housing areas, such as open spaces, schools, clinics and recreational facilities, have already been completed, while work on the development of those serving the wider needs of the population was also well under way during the year, for example, the Tuen Mun Hospital, a town park, a technical institute, and a civil and cultural complex. Development work has started on a new regional shopping centre, including a cultural complex, in the town centre to function as a focus for the new town's social and economic activities.

Despite its distance from Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, the six-lane Tuen Mun Road, the high-speed hoverferry service to Hong Kong Island and the Mass Transit Railway extension to Tsuen Wan have brought the new town within easy reach of the main urban areas.

Tai Po

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Tai Po New Town covers an area of some 2 900 hectares. Of the total development area, about 330 hectares of land have been designated for residential and commercial develop- ment, 100 hectares for industrial development and 320 hectares for government, institution and community use, plus public open space. New residential and commercial development is planned on the reclamation to the north and east of the existing Tai Po Market. The partially completed Tai Po Industrial Estate caters to high-technology industries.

A rapid build-up in population in recent years has overshadowed Tai Po's more traditional role as a market centre for the surrounding region. In 1983, Tai Po had a population of about 86 000 and the design population capacity is approximately 213 000. There are three public housing estates planned, including a home ownership element which will accommodate about 113 000 people. On full development, private residential areas are expected to house approximately 89 000 people. The electrification of the Kowloon-Canton Railway makes it possible to be in the centre of Kowloon in less than 30 minutes.

Fanling

Fanling New Town, which includes Fanling, Shek Wu Hui and Sheung Shui, lies about eight kilometres north of Tai Po. It will be linked to Yuen Long, Sha Tin and Tai Po by the New Territories Circular Route now under construction. The population of the new town reached some 83 000 during 1983, its projected capacity being 195 000. The town covers an area of about 780 hectares. Of the total development area, about 210 hectares of land are designated for residential and commercial development, 50 hectares for industrial development, and 140 hectares for government, institution and community use and for public open space.

The existing retail and commercial 'core' of Shek Wu Hui and Luen Wo Hui will be redeveloped while the On Lok Tsuen industrial area is being improved. Provision has been made for the retention and expansion of the existing villages.