ENG-1993 — Page 254

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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residents of the private development, Kingswood Villa. A third public housing develop- ment will commence in early 1994. Upon its completion in 1997, the new town population is expected to reach 140 000.

The provision of community facilities in Tin Shui Wai has been programmed to coincide with the population intake.

The first three parks to be developed in Tin Shui Wai opened to the public in March. The largest, forming a centrepiece for the town, was Phase One of the Tin Shui Wai District Park. The completion of large-scale roadside landscaping works contributed greatly to the greening of the town.

Long Tin Road and Long Ping Road, which connect the southeast of Tin Shui Wai to Yuen Long, were completed in early 1992. The Tuen Mun-Yuen Long Eastern Corridor was opened to traffic in July 1993. Construction of the Yuen Long Southern By-Pass and the Tin Shui Wai West Access was continuing. As these major roads move to completion, the traffic around this area will improve progressively.

For the disposal of sewage from existing and future developments, the Northwest New Territories Sewerage Scheme, comprising a sewage treatment plant, pumping station, nine-kilometre sewer tunnel and 3.1-kilometre submarine outfall, was commissioned early in the year. The $1.1 billion scheme represents the culmination of 10 years of planning and construction, and bears testimony to the government's effort to combat pollution, particularly to protect the ecology of the Deep Bay area.

The large tracts of low-lying land to the north and west of Yuen Long are particularly susceptible to flooding during heavy rains. A series of major flood prevention projects are planned to solve this problem and the year under review marked the commencement of another series of flood control works in the low-lying areas.

Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung

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The development of Tseung Kwan O new town, which started in 1982, is divided into three phases. The major part of the new development areas will be formed by reclaiming Tseung Kwan O Bay. About 66 million cubic metres of fill material will be required to complete the whole reclamation. The Phase I area has been substantially completed. Reclamation for the other phases has started, with the drawn-up programme extending beyond the year 2000. The population of the new town, which was 127 000 at the end of the year, will reach over 400 000 upon full development by 2010.

About 420 hectares of land have been formed at Tseung Kwan O new town. Engineering infrastructure has been provided to cater for private and public housing and the development of community facilities. Four public rental estates, six home ownership schemes and three private sector participation schemes have been occupied. More public housing and private sector development is on the way. Reclamation of the town centre area, currently in progress, is expected to be completed by the end of 1999.

Work continues for the provision of land and services for the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. Upon completion in early 1996, 71 hectares of land will be available for industrial development. Reclamation is also in progress to develop the southern part of Siu Chik Sha for industrial use.

In preparation for further industrial development, a plan is being drawn up to develop a 100-hectare site to the south of Tseung Kwan O for deep waterfront industries and potentially hazardous installations.