ENG-2009 — Page 279

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation 219

structures in the urban areas and 386 910 in the New Territories. During the year, 194 illegal structures and extensions were demolished by the Squatter Control Unit.

Land Conveyancing

The Legal Advisory and Conveyancing Office provides legal advice and conveyancing services in government land transactions, which include the drafting of all government land disposal and lease modification documents and the checking of title in land acquisitions. It processes applications for the sale of units under construction under the Lands Department Consent Scheme. In 2009, a total of 32 applications, involving 11 671 residential units, were approved. The office also approves Deeds of Mutual Covenant. In 2009, 49 such deeds were approved. It also processes apportionment of premium and government rents, and recovers arrears of government rents by taking appropriate re-entry or vesting action.

Survey and Mapping

The Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) of the Lands Department provides survey and mapping services in support of land administration and infrastructure development. It produces topographical maps, carries out land boundary surveys, maintains a geodetic survey network, a Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network and a computerised Land Information System (LIS). It also provides support to the Land Survey Authority to administer the Land Survey Ordinance governing the registration and discipline of Authorised Land Surveyors and overseeing land boundary survey standards.

A Data Dissemination System (DDS) set up during the year expedites the integration and dissemination of geospatial data within the Government. When fully implemented it will also enable maps to be ordered and delivered through the internet.

In collaboration with other government departments, the SMO has developed a Geospatial Information Hub (GIH) as a government-wide web-based information integration and sharing platform which supports the operation of more than 40 bureaux and departments in delivering public services. Based on the GIH model, a new common geospatial information platform is being developed to facilitate easy access to community geospatial information by the general public through the internet.

The SMO has started implementing a 3D Spatial Data Processing System to maintain a territory-wide 3D spatial database and to provide analytical 3D visualisation services to support land development and management. The first set of 3D spatial database was used by works departments in carrying out various civil engineering applications. The 3D spatial database has been enriched further by the inclusion of photorealistic models of prominent landmarks in Hong Kong.

Land Registration

Land registration safeguards the rights of Hong Kong's social and economic development and underpins its importance. The Land Registry provides a comprehensive service for registering documents affecting land and keeping land