ENG-1990 — Page 246

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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

THE primary objectives of the Hong Kong Government's lands and works policies are to ensure an adequate supply of land to meet the short-term and long-term needs of both the public and private sectors, to optimise the use of land within the framework of land use zoning and development strategies and to ensure co-ordinated development in infra- structure and buildings.

Policy responsibility for land, public works and private development rests with two separate policy branches - the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch and the Works Branch, each headed by a Secretary. Both secretaries are members of the Land Devel- opment Policy Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Secretary, and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the physical development of the territory and for giving broad approval to all major proposals affecting the development or planned use of land.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands is the Chairman of the Devel- opment Progress Committee, which is responsible for monitoring the general progress of the physical development of the territory as well as considering and approving detailed planning briefs, layouts and development plans. He is also Chairman of the Town Plan- ning Board.

In addition to his policy functions, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands oversees the operation of the Buildings and Lands Department, Environmental Protection Department, Planning Department, Territory Development Department, Civil Engineering Services Department, Drainage Services Department and the Land Office of the Registrar General's Department.

The Secretary for Works oversees the operation of the works departments, namely Architectural Services, Civil Engineering Services, Drainage Services, Electrical and Mechanical Services, Territory Development and Water Supplies Department.

The Governor, on October 11, 1989, announced a massive port and airport development project in his annual policy speech at the Legislative Council. A new Airport Works Division was set up in April 1990 under the Secretary for Works to co-ordinate this development.

Planning

Planning Department was formed on January 1, 1990, following the creation of the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch (PELB) on September 1, 1989. Headed by the Director of Planning, the Planning Department is one of the departments which takes

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