ENG-2017 — Page 249

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

The main part of the island, particularly south Lantau, is for conservation with sustainable leisure and recreational uses.

Reclamation Outside Victoria Harbour

In 2017, technical studies on proposed reclamation at Ma Liu Shui, Siu Ho Wan and Lung Kwu Tan were largely completed. The government plans to begin as soon as possible planning and engineering studies on reclamation at Sunny Bay, Lung Kwu Tan, and Ma Liu Shui together with the adjoining vacated site of the Sha Tin sewage treatment works after its relocation to caverns, as well as strategic studies on artificial islands in the central waters between Hong Kong Island and Lantau.

Cavern Development

A territory-wide Cavern Master Plan and other initiatives to facilitate wider application of cavern development are being implemented. The planned relocation of the Sha Tin sewage treatment works to caverns was under a detailed investigation and design study so the original 28-hectare site could be released for residential and other uses. A feasibility study to move Diamond Hill Fresh Water and Salt Water Service Reservoirs to caverns was substantially completed and would be followed by a detailed investigation and design study. Feasibility studies to shift several other service reservoirs or sewage treatment works in Tsuen Wan, Sham Tseng, Sai Kung and Kowloon to caverns continued.

Underground Space Development

A territory-wide study was completed to provide the basis for future planning and development of underground space. Under a separate pilot study, conceptual schemes were being developed for the strategic urban areas of Tsim Sha Tsui West, Causeway Bay, Happy Valley and Admiralty/Wan Chai so as to evaluate their feasibility, and underground master plans would be formulated for these areas.

Major Planning Studies and Development Projects

Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas

The Kwu Tung North and Fanling North outline zoning plans provide a land use framework to meet the city's long-term housing, social and economic needs. The NDAs will provide about 60,000 new flats, with about 60 per cent being public rental and Home Ownership Scheme units, to accommodate an additional population of about 173,000. The two areas will also produce about 37,700 new jobs. Development works are ongoing, to be completed fully by 2031. The first phase involves site formation and associated engineering infrastructure to support about 16,000 homes for about 46,600 residents, with the first population intake estimated for 2023 at the earliest, and to support subsequent NDA development. Detailed design and site investigation are under way and major construction works may start in 2019 at the earliest.

Tung Chung New Town Extension

The Tung Chung New Town Extension will provide about 49,400 flats and a commercial hub with gross floor area of about 877,000 sq m for office, retail and hotel uses along with about

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