ENG-1990 — Page 267

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

New Airport

In July 1989, the Executive Council approved the Port and Airport Development Strategy (PADS) providing for the development of a replacement airport at Chek Lap Kok, located on the northern coast of Lantau Island. The existing airport at Kai Tak will not be capable of the further expansion required to meet the predicted increased demand beyond the mid- 1990s. A new airport masterplan and detailed civil engineering and planning studies are being carried out. The final design and construction of the new airport and associated infrastructure will then follow with a view to commissioning the first runway early in 1997.

In parallel with the above, other detailed studies for airport-related projects are now underway, including the airport support community at Tung Chung and road and rail links to the new airport including the Lantau Fixed Crossing, the West Kowloon Expressway and the Western Harbour Crossing.

The provision of these key economic infrastructure facilities will generate considerable opportunities for private participation and investment.

Port Development

The Port and Airport Development Strategy provides for large-scale port development in the territory, including as a first priority the development of Container Terminals 8 and 9 on reclamation at Stonecutters Island and south-east Tsing Yi, respectively.

The longer-term port development will cater for the extension of the existing harbour to the west, the construction of a port peninsula at Tsing Chau Tsai located on north- east Lantau, and the provision of river-trade multi-purpose terminals and deep waterfront industries at other locations.

Preparative studies and detailed investigations for the above including the Ma Wan Channel improvement and the marine fill and disposal strategy, are presently being carried out.

Building Development - Private Sector

In 1990, building work in the territory continued apace. The number of occupation permits issued for completed buildings was 419, compared with 510 in 1989. The amount of usable floor area provided was 2.8 million square metres and the total cost of new building works was $16,278 million.

The diversity of building development in the territory was amply demonstrated by the completion of the tallest statue of Buddha in the Far East, which stands 80 metres high at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, and the continuing expansion of the Kwai Chung Container Port. Reclamation for Terminal 7, which will be capable of berthing three container ships simultaneously, was completed. The construction of the largest commercial building in Asia - a freight station of some 70 000 square metres – was in progress at Terminal 4.

The Buildings Ordinance Office not only controls the construction of private buildings but also monitors them after completion to ensure they remain in a safe and healthy condition.

Deterioration of reinforced-concrete buildings in urban Hong Kong, especially those constructed in the immediate post-war years, has long been recognised as a problem requiring greater attention because of the possible risks to life and limb. In May 1990, the Buildings Ordinance Office completed the first phase of an extensive inspection

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