ENG-1994 — Page 273

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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Community facilities were being reviewed for this mature new town, with additional facilities to be provided when needed.

Tai Po

In the past 20 years, Tai Po has grown from a small market town of 25 000 into a new town with a population of 265 000, accommodated on about 1 270 hectares of development area. Most of the new town's engineering infrastructure is in place. Its infrastructure was being further improved by the construction of sewers along the Tai Po Road to Kwong Fuk Estate and an additional road to the Tai Po Industrial Estate. A further expansion of the Tai Po sewage treatment works was in progress, to cater for the remaining development in the town area and the industrial estate.

Construction of the Nethersole Hospital and the Tai Po Convalescent/Infirmary Hospital continued. Upon their completion in 1996 and 1997, respectively, the needs of the region will be adequately met with a combined capacity of 1 662 beds. Construction of the Waterfront Park started in August.

Fanling and Sheung Shui

Fanling and Sheung Shui, just a few kilometres from China, have grown from a group of villages in 1973 to a town of 170 000 people accommodated on 515 hectares of development area. Their combined population is expected to increase to 220 000 by the turn -- of the century.

Flood control measures were carried out within a section of the River Indus Minor downstream of the railway bridge. Further flood control measures are planned in the upstream and downstream sections of the River Indus, as well as along sections of the Beas and Sutlej rivers. Construction of two pedestrian footbridges near the Sheung Shui Railway Station was scheduled to commence in January 1995.

The school building programme continued, while the Regional Council's market complex at Shek Wu Hui was completed. Construction of the North District Hospital started in August.

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun, in the West New Territories, is developed mainly on land reclaimed from Castle Peak Bay and on platforms formed in the valley between Castle Peak and the Tai Lam Hills. About 1 200 hectares of land have been provided by the government and the private sector for development.

About 70 per cent of the town's population of some 430 000 live in public housing developments, which comprise 11 public rental estates and 15 home ownership and private sector participation schemes. Within the next five years, three more home ownership and private sector participation schemes will be developed to accommodate an additional 40 000 people. Together with some low-density private housing developments along the southeastern coast, the new town will provide homes for about 450 000 people by the late 1990s.

A marina is located along the southeastern coast of the town. This private development consists of 19 residential buildings, hotels, shops and recreational facilities, including berths for 300 boats.