ENG-1983 — Page 186

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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Yuen Long and Northwest New Territories Development of Yuen Long is now well advanced, with extensive areas of land to the north and south having been formed and serviced for residential, commercial and industrial development, and community facilities. The population has reached more than 50 000 of its projected total of more than 140 000 for the year 2000. A major new public housing estate which will house more than 37 000 people by 1990 is being built at Kik Yeung Tsuen to the northeast of the town. The two completed industrial estates at Tung Tau and Wang Chau provide over 70 hectares of serviced industrial land.

In addition to the new town, the sub-region is experiencing rapid growth and change from its former rural character. Another major settlement is planned to be built during the next decade at Tin Shui Wai, an area to the west of Yuen Long presently occupied by fish ponds. A study carried out by consultants for the government on the remaining rural areas in the northwestern New Territories was completed during the year. Proposals to be considered cover road and rail links - including a major new trunk road from Tuen Mun to Sha Tin - and major flood protection, drainage and sewerage schemes. The study also proposes a comprehensive planning strategy to direct future development in an orderly manner, ways to upgrade existing settlements with limited intervention by the government, and ways to protect the small but valuable amount of agricultural land in the area.

The established settlements at Kam Tin and Lau Fau Shan will be enhanced by further limited expansion to enable them to serve the surrounding rural areas.

Junk Bay and Sai Kung

The approved Junk Bay Outline Development Plan makes provision for 380 000 people to be accommodated within the new town. During the year, work continued on its planning and design. The distribution of new housing will be 50 per cent public rental, 30 per cent Home Ownership and Private Sector Participation Schemes, and 20 per cent private development.

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The town is being planned around three main districts, each with a population of between 60 000 and 95 000. Each district centre will have shopping and other commercial facilities, community facilities and a transport interchange. Initially, the town will be served by the Junk Bay Road Tunnel and the improved Po Lam Road; a Mass Transit Railway extension could be introduced later if and when necessary.

Outside the new town, planning for Sai Kung District has given priority to recreation and restricts urban development. Planning studies continued in 1983 on the expansion of the town of Sai Kung to serve an ultimate population of 40 000 from the present population of 14 300.

Islands District

In recent years, the outlying islands have taken on an increasingly important role in the life of Hong Kong. As part of the New Town Development Programme, projects continued during the year - both planned and under way - to provide for a build-up in population, to upgrade the living standards, and to improve general facilities for the increasing number of visitors to the islands. Although development remains generally low-rise and rural in character, the programme of works is large and diverse, concentrating mainly on the population centres of Mui Wo and Tai O on Lantau Island, and on the islands of Cheung Chau and Peng Chau.

More facilities will become available throughout the district, including ferries, schools, market buildings, recreational facilities, sewage treatment plants and abattoirs. Serviced