The Monthly Report of Sustainability Assessments (SA) lists the titles, brief descriptions and sustainability implications of new public policies and proposals that went through the SA process and were made known to the public through LegCo briefs or press releases etc during the report period. Internet links to the relevant background documents are also provided.

REPORT PERIOD : February 2013

Review of the Patent System in Hong Kong [LegCo Panel Paper]

The Government announced the way forward for the development of the patent system in Hong Kong, with key points as follows: introducing an "original grant" patent (OGP) system with substantive examination outsourced to other patent office(s) whilst retaining the current re-registration system; retaining the short-term patent system with suitable refinements; and developing a fully fledged regulatory regime on patent agency services in the long run, which has to be achieved in stages, with possible transitional measures.

Sustainability Implications: The proposal helps enhance patent protection in the long run. This would to some extent contribute to the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s economy by facilitating the development of technology and innovation industries.

Draft Chai Wan Outline Zoning Plan Approved [Press Release]

On 22 February 2013, the Town Planning Board announced that the Chief Executive in Council had approved the draft Chai Wan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP). The approved OZP provides a statutory land use framework to guide the development and redevelopment in the Chai Wan area. The approved OZP was exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The imposition of building height/plot ratio/gross floor area restrictions and non-building area/ building gap requirements in various development zones would generally help address public concern on avoiding massive and out-of-context developments, maintain the local character and facilitate air ventilation in the Area. Other zoning amendments are mainly to reflect existing developments and planning intentions or technical in nature. Nonetheless, the differing concerns and views from various stakeholders may remain and should be handled with care.

Resumption of Land for Implementation of Development Project SSP/3/001 by the Urban Renewal Authority at Shun Ning Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon [Press Release]

The development project was included in the Urban Renewal Authority’s Business Plan for 2009-10. Its implementation will help improve the general environment of the locality and the living conditions of the residents. A total of 42 private property interests at the project site at Shun Ning Road will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. Upon resumption and clearance, the site, with an area of about 825 square metres, will be redeveloped into a residential development with retail uses on the lower floors and a basement car park.

Sustainability Implications: The development project will replace the existing dilapidated buildings by a new modern building which will incorporate environmental friendly design, and hence upgrade the local environment. It will enhance economic vibrancy to the local economy and create more job opportunities. Nevertheless, the development project will bring temporary adverse noise and air impact to the surrounding areas during the construction stage. Environmental mitigation measures are needed to minimise the impacts. The development project may cause transitory disruption to the residents, in particular, to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, as they need to move out or be relocated to other places. Suitable measures should be put in place to minimise any potential transitory disruption. Furthermore, differing concerns and views should be handled with care.

REPORT PERIOD : January 2013

Revised statutory minimum wage rate and revised monetary cap on keeping records of hours worked by employees [LegCo Brief]

To revise the statutory minimum wage rate and the monetary cap on keeping records of hours worked by employees.

Sustainability Implications: The statutory wage floor at the adjusted level would be conducive to social sustainability as it helps foster a harmonious society as well as social equality and justice.

Youth Hostel Scheme [LegCo Panel Paper]

The Government plans to support non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) with the full capital costs of building hostels for youths.

Sustainability Implications: The proposal would make better use of valuable land resource, contribute to the alleviation of housing shortage and help to meet the aspirations of some working youths in living independently.

Approved Lin Ma Hang Development Permission Area Plan No. DPA/NE-LMH/2 [Press Release]

On 18 January 2013, the Town Planning Board announced that the Chief Executive in Council had approved the draft Lin Ma Hang Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan. The approved DPA Plan provides guidance for planning and to facilitate development control within the Lin Ma Hang area during the period required for detailed analysis of the land use pattern, study of infrastructural provisions and examination of development options for the formulation of an outline zoning plan. The approved DPA Plan was exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The DPA Plan provides a stopgap measure to effect development control and planning guidance in the area which would protect the natural and rural landscape and ecologically sensitive areas in Lin Ma Hang from further degradation. This would contribute positively to the environmental quality of Hong Kong. Another sustainability assessment will have to be undertaken when the appropriate zonings are finalised with detailed analysis and studies. However, the divergent concerns and views from various stakeholders should also be handled with care.

Draft West Kowloon Cultural District Development Plan Approved [Press Release]

On 18 January 2013, the Town Planning Board announced that the Chief Executive in Council had approved the draft West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Development Plan (DP). The approved DP provides a statutory land use framework to guide the development and redevelopment in the WKCD area. The approved DP was exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The DP for the WKCD aims to develop the Site into a major arts and cultural district in Hong Kong, which is in line with the sustainability principle of enhancing the cultural vibrancy and diversity of Hong Kong. The explicit zoning layout and stipulation of plot ratio restrictions, building height restrictions, non-building areas, minimum area of public open space and minimum green coverage, and the inclusion of an urban design and landscape framework in the DP will guide the development of the WKCD and ensure its compatibility with the surrounding areas. Nevertheless, different views and concerns from various stakeholders should be handled with care.

Draft South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan Approved [Press Release]

On 18 January 2013, the Town Planning Board announced that the Chief Executive in Council had approved the draft South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan (OZP). The approved OZP provides a statutory land use framework to guide the development and redevelopment in the South West Kowloon area. The approved OZP was exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The amendments of rezoning the two sites from "Government, Institution or Community" to "Open Space" incorporated in the draft South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/K20/25 would result in an increase in open space for the local people to enjoy. Differing concerns and views on the proposed amendments from various stakeholders should be handled with care. The amendment to the Notes of the "Industrial" zone incorporated in OZP No. S/K20/26 is technical in nature and has no sustainability implications. The technical amendments incorporated in OZP No. S/K20/27 mainly to reflect the existing road alignments and boundary of the Western Harbour Crossing tunnel area have no major sustainability implications.

Resumption of Private Land for Implementation of Project TKW/1/002 by the Urban Renewal Authority at Ma Tau Wai Road /Chun Tin Street, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon [Press Release]

In the wake of the tragic collapse of the building at No. 45J, Ma Tau Wai Road on January 29, 2010, the Secretary for Development, with the agreement of the Financial Secretary (FS), wrote to the Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to request URA to draw up a redevelopment proposal covering the collapsed building and the other dilapidated buildings in its proximity. The request was made to address the impact of the tragic incident on the living environment of the area and the serious concern of the affected households over the general scale of disrepair of the buildings in the immediate vicinity. FS approved this project and announced it at the Budget Speech on February 24, 2010. A total of 159 private property interests at the site bound by Ma Tau Wai Road, Chun Tin Street and Hok Yuen Street will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. Upon resumption and clearance, the site, with an area of 3,377 square metres, will be developed as a residential development with retail uses and community facilities on the lower floors and a basement carpark in accordance with the statutory plan prepared under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The development project will replace the existing dilapidated buildings by two new modern buildings which will incorporate environmental friendly design, and hence upgrade the local environment. It will enhance economic vibrancy to the local economy and create more job opportunities. Nevertheless, the development project will bring temporary adverse noise and air impact to the surrounding areas during the construction stage. Environmental mitigation measures are needed to minimize the impacts. The development project may cause transitory disruption to the residents, in particular, to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, as they need to move out or be relocated to other places. Suitable measures should be put in place to minimise any potential transitory disruption. Furthermore, differing concerns and views should be handled with care.

REPORT PERIOD : December 2012

Draft Tsuen Wan West Outline Zoning Plan Approved [Press Release]

On 14 December 2012, the Town Planning Board announced that the Chief Executive in Council had approved the draft Tsuen Wan West Outline Zoning Plan (OZP). The approved Tsuen Wan West OZP provides a statutory land use framework to guide the development and redevelopment in the Tsuen Wan West area. The approved OZP was exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The incorporation / revision of building height / plot ratio / gross floor area restrictions and non-building area requirements will help avoid out-of-context developments, maintain the local character and facilitate air ventilation in the area. Nevertheless, the differing concerns and views from various stakeholders may remain and should be handled with care.

REPORT PERIOD : November 2012 - No Item

REPORT PERIOD : October 2012 - No Item

REPORT PERIOD : September 2012

Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and Chile [Press Release]

Hong Kong and Chile signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 7 September 2012. The FTA is comprehensive and of high quality, encompassing trade in goods and services, investments, and other related areas. It is fully consistent with provisions of the World Trade Organization.

The FTA will help Hong Kong businesses tap the Chilean market, which offers potential opportunities as an emerging market in itself, as well as opportunities as a gateway to the South American region. In particular, the FTA will assist our service providers by providing secured market access and enhanced legal certainty of non-discrimination in Chile. The FTA will also attract more investments from Chile to Hong Kong. The FTA will therefore enhance trade and investment flows between the two places, benefiting our economy.

The FTA will enter into force on a date to be mutually determined by both sides upon completion of the respective domestic procedures.

Sustainability Implications: The Free Trade Agreement with Chile will bring more and better access to the Chilean market, create more business opportunities for Hong Kong businessmen and increase trade and investment flows between Hong Kong and Chile. This will in turn bring benefits to other trade related sectors in the Hong Kong economy, including insurance, banking and securities and related services. All these would help to sustain the economic development of Hong Kong and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international trade, economic and financial hub.

Draft Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plan Approved [Press Release]

On 14 September 2012, the Town Planning Board announced that the Chief Executive in Council had approved the draft Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plan (OZP). The approved Kai Tak OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Kai Tak area. The approved OZP was exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The in-situ preservation of the Bridge Remnants would contribute to the sustainability principle of protecting and enhancing the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s archaeological and historical assets. The refinement of land uses at the South Apron area and Runway area by relocating roads away from the waterfront would enhance access and public enjoyment of the waterfront. With the amendments to the Comprehensive Development Area (1) zone, the ridgeline of Lion Rock will still be preserved and significant adverse visual impact will not be created. The other amendments on various urban design enhancements would improve the townscape design of the area.

Draft Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau Development Permission Area Plan Approved [Press Release]

On 14 September 2012, the Town Planning Board announced that the Chief Executive in Council had approved the draft Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan. The approved DPA Plan provides planning guidance and to facilitate development control within the Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau area during the period required for detailed analysis of the land use pattern, study of infrastructural provisions and examination of development options for the formulation of an outline zoning plan. The approved DPA Plan was exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Sustainability Implications: The DPA Plan provides a stopgap measure to effect development control and planning guidance in the Area which would protect the natural and rural landscape in Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau from further degradation. This would contribute positively to the environmental quality of Hong Kong. Another sustainability assessment will have to be undertaken when the appropriate zonings are finalized with detailed analysis and studies. However, the differing concerns and views from various stakeholders should be handled with care.

Sustainable Development Division