ENG-2018 — Page 254

13

Planning, Land and Infrastructure

Applying the principle that prevention is better than cure, the Buildings Department enforces the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme to tackle building decay at its root by requiring owners of target buildings to inspect and repair their buildings and windows. In 2018, the department issued 31,124 statutory notices to 845 buildings under these schemes.

The Buildings Department, URA and Hong Kong Housing Society support building owners in carrying out repairs and maintenance. In 2018, subsidies and loans exceeding $290 million were granted to eligible property owners.

The URA's 'Smart Tender' Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services scheme, launched in 2016, provides technical support to building owners in carrying out repairs and maintenance, to reduce the risk of bid rigging during procurement. Eligible building owners may participate at a concessionary rate. As at end-2018, 550 applications had been approved.

To address hazards caused by old and dilapidated buildings, the government in 2018 launched Operation Building Bright 2.0, which is funded by a sum of $3 billion earmarked in the 2017 Policy Address. This provides substantial financial help to needy groups to carry out inspection and rehabilitation works pertinent to building safety. In partnership with the URA, the operation accepted 600 applications from July to October. As at end-2018, the Buildings Department had selected 70 eligible buildings whose owners had difficulties in coordinating the prescribed inspection and repair works, and had exercised its statutory power to carry out the requisite works in default of owners.

On enforcement, the department takes action against unauthorised building works (UBWs). It takes priority enforcement against UBWs that are new or under construction, and those which constitute an obvious hazard or imminent danger to life and property. UBWs are to be removed according to the department's enforcement policy if they have been erected on building exteriors, including rooftops, podiums and yards; are associated with subdivided units; are found in New Territories exempted houses; or are signboards. In 2018, the department served 12,819 statutory removal orders and removed 27,534 UBWs. It also instigated 3,360 prosecution cases and secured 2,443 convictions in court for failure to comply with the orders, resulting in fines totalling $16.95 million. A publicity campaign by the department fosters a culture of building safety in the community.

Lifts and Escalators

The government implements various measures to enhance the safety of lifts and escalators, including strengthening inspections and promoting modernisation of aged lifts and escalators through partnering with the URA to implement the Lift Modernisation Subsidy Scheme.

Greening, Landscape and Tree Management

The Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section is the central authority with an overall policy responsibility to formulate and coordinate landscape and tree management strategies and initiatives. It promotes a holistic approach to landscape and tree management, advocating adequate space allocation for new planting, proper selection of plant species, quality landscape

200