ENG-1995 — Page 240

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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

A Port Projects Co-ordination Office was set up in March to provide centralised co- ordination for the development of port-related projects. It is initially concentrating on the Lantau Port development and will gradually develop its role to co-ordinate work on other strategic port projects.

In a continuing effort to improve construction site safety in Hong Kong, safety advisory units have been set up in all works departments to advise on and monitor construction safety matters. In addition, contractual provisions on safety measures have been introduced into government contracts.

Work has continued on major river training and flood control programmes. Recommendations on slope safety in a report by Professor N. R. Morgenstern, a Canadian geotechnical expert, are being implemented and the Government's Landslip Preventive Measures Programme has been accelerated.

The Organisational Framework

The main objectives of the government's lands and works policies are to ensure an adequate supply of land to meet the needs of the public and private sectors, to optimise the use of land within the framework of land-use zoning and develop- ment strategies, and to ensure the co-ordinated development of infrastructure and buildings.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands is chairman of a 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 Planning Board, and has policy responsibility for conservation.

In addition to his policy functions, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands oversees the operation of the Buildings Department, Drainage Services Depart- ment (jointly with the Secretary for Works), Environmental Protection Department, Lands Department and Planning Department, as well as the Land Registry, which is operated on a trading fund basis. He also oversees part of the work of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Civil Engineering Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Marine Department and Territory Develop- ment Department.

The Secretary for Works oversees, and has policy responsibility for, the works agency activities of the Architectural Services Department, Civil Engineering Depart- ment, Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Depart- ment, Highways Department, Territory Development Department and Water Supplies Department. In addition, he oversees the operation of the Architectural Services Department (in part), Civil Engineering Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Water Supplies Department's services. He is also responsible for the Sewage Services Trading Fund in the Drainage Services Department. The New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office (NAPCO) was set up in February 1991 under the Secretary for Works to co-ordinate the implementation of the Airport Core Programme (ACP).

Planning

Town planning is carried out by the Planning Department under policy directives from the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch and the Housing Branch.

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