ENG-1984 — Page 229

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LAND. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Towards the end of the year, tenders were under consideration for the sale of a 2.4 hectare site north of the Harbour City development in Tsim Sha Tsui; this site will be sold on a joint venture basis with the developer being required to construct and hand back to the government, on completion of the project, a ferry terminal complex which is urgently required to cater for the increasing flow of passengers between Hong Kong and China. In addition to the ferry terminal, the project will include a commercial podium development with offices or apartments above; as an option, a hotel development may be provided.

In the New Territories, sites continued to be sold in the new towns for development by the private sector. A 1.6 hectare site on reclaimed land forming part of the town expansion in Tai Po was sold in July for residential development under the Private Sector Participa- tion Scheme; when completed this will provide about 1 500 flats for sale to purchasers within limited income groups nominated by the Housing Department. A further site under the PSPS was put out to public tender in November. This comprises 7.3 hectares of newly formed land at Ma On Shan overlooking the Shing Mun River estuary and Sha Tin New Town. The sale of this site is expected to be completed early in 1985 and the proposed development will provide 4 000 PSPS flats together with associated commercial floor space, contributing to what is one of the major 'town expansion' areas.

Environmental Improvement

Acquisition of land for environmental improvement projects in the Urban Improvement Districts of Western, Wan Chai and Yau Ma Tei continued to be given impetus in 1984 with efforts being concentrated in assembling project sites that are already partially acquired. During the year, about $5 million had been spent on payment of compensation for the acquisition of private properties zoned for open space or government, institutional and community use in the town plans for these districts.

Other projects of similar nature implemented included a pilot scheme to resume private streets in residential areas. These streets, in multiple and sub-divided ownership, were in poor state of repair. The transference of the ownership of these streets to the government will enable proper repair works to be carried out with the result that the environment of the residential areas concerned would be significantly improved. The scheme will be fully evaluated after its completion and, if it is considered successful, consideration will be given to working out a long-term programme.

Acquisition for Public Purposes

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When private property needed for carrying out public works projects cannot be acquired by negotiation, the use of compulsory powers becomes necessary. Property may then be acquired under either the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance or the Land Acquisition (Possessory Title) Ordinance, the Mass Transit Railway (Land Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance, or through the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance in the case of land required for road projects. These ordinances provide for the payment of compensation based on the value of the affected properties as at the date of reversion. If agreement cannot be reached on the amount payable, either party can refer the claim for compensation to the Lands Tribunal for determination.

When it is necessary for the government to acquire private land for new town development in the New Territories, power is exercised under the Crown Lands Resump- tion Ordinance and statutory compensation is paid for the extinguishment of rights conferred by a lease. In practice, a system of ex gratia compensation applies with enhanced rates paid for land situated within the new town development areas. In the case of building