ENG-2008 — Page 276

220 Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation

Yat Sen Memorial Park and Swimming Pool Complex, the Siu Sai Wan Complex, and expansion of Tseung Kwan O Hospital.

In line with the Government's policy on sustainable development, the department has continued to promote and practise sustainable public architecture. With recognition from the industry, a total of 12 architectural awards, of which nine were on sustainability, were received for government projects during the year. The Stanley Municipal Services Building was presented with the highest Green Building Award of the year by the Professional Green Building Council and was also granted a merit award on sustainability in the Quality Building Award 2008. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters building was honoured with an international award by the Architects Regional Council Asia. Greening initiatives such as landscape gardens, vertical greening and green roofs have continually been integrated in the design of government building projects. During the year, four awards on greening were won for government projects, including the Stanley Waterfront Improvement project and the Tuen Mun Children and Juvenile Home.

Building Safety and Maintenance

Encouraging owners to maintain their buildings properly, to conduct timely repair and to ensure building safety continued to be the Development Bureau's key areas of work in the year. The year saw major development in two areas to modernise the building control regime and to assist owners to repair their buildings.

During the year, the Buildings (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 was passed in the Legislative Council. This introduces a minor works control system to streamline the statutory control procedures for small-scale building works. The system is intended to enable building owners to follow simplified statutory procedures to conduct minor building works such as installation of drying racks and supporting frames for air conditioners. This new control system will come into operation upon the commencement of the corresponding subsidiary legislation, detailing the modus operandi of the system.

A $1 billion Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners was launched in May 2008 to provide financial assistance to elderly owner-occupiers to repair and maintain their buildings and improve building safety. A maximum grant of $40,000 is available for each eligible elderly owner-occupier within a period of five years. Eligible elderly owner-occupiers may also use the grants to repay their outstanding loans with the Buildings Department, the Urban Renewal Authority or the Hong Kong Housing Society in relation to building maintenance. The Government has appointed the Hong Kong Housing Society to administer the Scheme.

The bureau is also continuing its preparation for the launch of the mandatory building inspection and mandatory window inspection schemes to arrest the problem of building neglect in the long run. Legislation for the two schemes is being prepared.