ENG-2002 — Page 277

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

building land

was acquired in 2002. Most of the acquired area was to provide land for implementation of road improvement works and river training projects. The road improvement works included the construction of roads in Yuen Long and for Route 9 between Cheung Sha Wan and Sha Tin. The river training projects covered the regulation of Shenzhen River in North District, the construction of the Yuen Long Bypass Floodway and main drainage channels and village flood protection schemes in San Tin, Yuen Long District. In the urban area, 46 private lots were acquired, including 39 lots at Anderson Road in Kowloon, for the construction of public housing, schools, open space and ancillary works.

More than $1.06 billion was paid out region-wide in compensation payments in 2002.

The Lands Department was also involved in the resumption of land for implementation of urban renewal projects undertaken by the Land Development Corporation and its successor, the Urban Renewal Authority. During the year, compensation totalling $28 million was paid to owners of 25 resumed properties affected by six renewal projects in Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Tsuen Wan, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Kennedy Town.

In addition, the Lands Department resumed land for implementation of the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line railway project. For this purpose, 162 084 square metres of agricultural land, 130 square metres of building land and 70 053 square metres of underground strata were acquired in 2002. By year-end, compensation payments amounted to about $65 million.

Land Disposal

All land within the HKSAR is state property, and the Government is responsible for its disposal and management. Government land identified as being suitable for private development may be sold by public auction or tender. Land is also made available by private treaty grant at nominal land premium to non-profit-making educational, medical and charitable institutions for operating schools, hospitals and social welfare and other community facilities. Land grants at full market value premium are made to public utility companies for their installations.

New government land leases are normally granted at premium for 50 years from the date of grant and subject to an annual rent equivalent to three per cent of the rateable value of the property at the date of grant, adjusted in step with any changes in the rateable value thereafter.

On March 4, the Lands Department announced a one-year Land Sale Programme (for 2002-03) and a four-year Land Development Programme (for 2003-04/2006–07), which covered land for private residential and non-residential development in a five- year period. The Land Sale Programme comprised a detailed programme for scheduled public land auctions/tenders and an Application List. The Application List system, introduced in April 1999, provides flexibility in allowing the market to determine the amount of additional land required to meet market demand.

During the year, 10 sites for private residential development with a total area of 6.42 hectares were sold by public auction. Other major land grants included a 32.68- hectare site at Area 86 in Tseung Kwan O for the construction of a depot by the MTR Corporation Limited.

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