DHC Minutes 4a/2020

Sha Tin District Council Meeting Minutes of the Development and Housing Committee in 2020

Date : 30 June 2020 (Tuesday) Time : 2:35 pm Venue : District Council Conference Room 4/F, Sha Tin Government Offices

Present Title Time of joining Time of leaving the meeting the meeting Mr CHAN Nok-hang (Chairman) DC Member 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr NG Kam-hung (Vice-Chairman) ” 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr CHING Cheung-ying, MH DC Chairman 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr WONG Hok-lai, George DC Vice-Chairman 2:35 pm 6:25 pm Mr CHAN Billy Shiu-yeung DC Member 4:40 pm 6:58 pm Mr CHAN Pui-ming ” 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr CHENG Chung-hang ” 3:48 pm 6:58 pm Mr CHENG Tsuk-man ” 2:47 pm 6:09 pm Mr CHEUNG Hing-wa ” 2:40 pm 6:58 pm Mr CHIU Chu-pong ” 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr CHOW Hiu-laam, Felix ” 2:35 pm 6:40 pm Mr CHUNG Lai-him, Johnny ” 2:35 pm 4:32 pm Mr HUI Lap-san ” 2:35 pm 6:26 pm Mr LAI Tsz-yan ” 3:42 pm 5:13 pm Dr LAM Kong-kwan ” 2:35 pm 3:04 pm Mr LI Chi-wang, Raymond ” 2:46 pm 6:25 pm Mr LI Sai-hung ” 3:19 pm 6:58 pm Mr LI Wing-shing, Wilson ” 3:10 pm 6:58 pm Mr LIAO Pak-hong, Ricardo ” 2:45 pm 5:43 pm Mr LO Tak-ming ” 2:35 pm 6:55 pm Mr LO Yuet-chau ” 2:35 pm 5:18 pm Mr LUI Kai-wing ” 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Ms LUK Tsz-tung ” 2:35 pm 5:40 pm Mr MAK Tsz-kin ” 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr MAK Yun-pui, Chris ” 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr MOK Kam-kwai, BBS ” 2:38 pm 3:17 pm Ms NG Ting-lam ” 2:35 pm 6:09 pm Mr SHAM Tsz-kit, Jimmy ” 3:11 pm 4:20 pm Mr SHEK William ” 2:35 pm 6:55 pm Mr SIN Cheuk-nam ” 2:35 pm 6:20 pm Mr TING Tsz-yuen ” 2:35 pm 6:26 pm Mr TSANG Kit ” 2:35 pm 3:00 pm Ms TSANG So-lai ” 2:43 pm 6:13 pm Mr WAI Hing-cheung ” 2:35 pm 6:58 pm Mr WONG Ho-fung ” 2:58 pm 6:26 pm Ms WONG Man-huen ” 2:35 pm 5:40 pm Mr YAU Man-chun ” 2:51 pm 5:30 pm Mr YIP Wing ” 2:35 pm 5:30 pm Mr YUNG Ming-chau, Michael ” 2:39 pm 6:58 pm

( 1 ) Present Title Time of joining Time of leaving the meeting the meeting Ms LIU Sin-yi, Angela (Secretary) Executive Officer (District Council)5, Office

In Attendance Title Mr WONG Tin-pui, Simon Assistant District Officer (Sha Tin) (1), Sha Tin District Office Mr YUEN Chun-kit, Derek Senior Executive Officer (District Council), Sha Tin District Office Mr LAI Wing-chi, Derek District Environment Hygiene Superintendent (Sha Tin), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Mr LAU Chun-him, Kenny Senior Town Planner, Planning Department Mr WOO Tim Senior Estate Surveyor/South East (District Lands Office, Sha Tin), Ms NGO Po-ling Senior Housing Manager (, North and Sha Tin 1), Mr LEUNG Chin-hung Engineer/ East (Distribution 1), Water Supplies Department

In Attendance by Invitation Title Mr CHUI Si-kay Deputy Project Manager (North Development Office), Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr CHUNG Wing-hong, John Chief Engineer/North (Special Duties 6), Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr LAU Tin-lap, Daniel Senior Engineer/9 (North), Civil Engineering and Development Department Ms LO Chau-ling, Yvonne Senior Engineer/Special Task 1, Drainage Services Department Mr LAI Yuk-on, Simon Senior Engineer/Drainage Projects 1, Drainage Services Department Mr MOK Wai-kee, Kenneth Senior Engineer/Drainage Projects 3, Drainage Services Department Mr YEUNG Man-leung Senior District Engineer/South East, Highways Department Mr LIU Chi-kwong District Engineer/Sha Tin (2), Highways Department Mr LEUNG Ka-yin, Tommy Engineer 10/Universal Accessibility, Highways Department Mr NG Chou-keen Senior Engineer /Project Management 4, Water Supplies Department Mr KU Siu-ping, Andy Senior Maintenance Surveyor (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin), Housing Department Mr LAI Kim-ming, Elvis Senior Building Services Engineer (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin), Housing Department Mr WONG Chun-hung, Samuel Senior Property Service Manager (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin), Housing Department Ms CHU Ha-fan, Jessica District Planning Officer (Sha Tin, Tai Po and North), Planning Department Mr LEE Ho-ching, Adrian Town Planner/Sha Tin 3, Planning Department Mr WOO Tai-on, Gabriel Project Team Leader/Housing, Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr CHENG Kam-pong, Patrick Senior Engineer/2, Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr LUI Siu-kwan, Jack Engineer/3, Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr Edwin LO Project Manager, Black & Veatch Limited

( 2 ) In Attendance by Invitation Title Ms Eunice LEE Principal Engineer, Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited Mr Tony LEE Engineer, Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited Ms WONG Elim Planning Officer 8, Housing Department Ms HO Yin-ni, Amy Senior Architects 20, Housing Department Mr YUEN Kin-yip, Alan Senior Civil Engineer 4, Housing Department Mr LAI Kwok-leung, Horace Architect 87, Housing Department Mr TSO Shun-lai, Marcus Civil Engineer 7, Housing Department Mr NGAI Hiu-kan, Wilfred Engineer/, Transport Department Mr WONG Chun-wai, Edmund Senior Liaison Officer (North), Sha Tin District Office Mr CHUNG Hon-wai, Thomas Senior Engineer/Tech Support 3 (Acting), Water Supplies Department

Absent Title Mr CHAN Wan-tung DC Member (No application for leave of absence received) Mr HUI Yui-yu ” ( ” )

Action The Chairman welcomed members and the representatives of government departments to the fourth meeting of the Development and Housing Committee (DHC) of the year.

2. The Chairman said that the air conditioners would be on till 10 p.m. for this meeting. As we were still in the pandemic period, there would be conference room cleaning service at 6:30 p.m. At that time, the meeting would be suspended for 30 minutes and then resumed.

Application for Leave of Absence

3. The Chairman said that the Secretariat had received no application for leave of absence before the commencement of the meeting.

Confirmation of the minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2020

4. Members unanimously endorsed the above minutes of the meeting.

Matters Arising

Responses of Government Departments and Relevant Organisations to Matters Arising from the Previous Meeting (Paper No. DH 12/2020)

5. Mr SIN Cheuk-nam wanted to enquire of the Housing Department about one special case, i.e. when the marital status of a prospective tenant of was changed, whether he/she could be on the waiting list for public rental housing again and benefit from policy arrangement, such as gaining admission to Interim Housing as a public rental housing tenant.

6. Mr CHAN Pui-ming pointed out that the reply of the Housing Department had not mentioned whether there would be any ex gratia arrangement or objective standard if there were changes in the number of family members of prospective tenants of Chun Yeung Estate, including the change of marital status, new births and changes arising from the change of the health status of family members. He wanted to enquire about the detailed arrangements of the

( 3 ) Action return of Chun Yeung Estate in July besides distributing HK$6,000.

7. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:

( a ) with regard to the arrangement that Chun Yeung Estate would be returned by Department of Health (DH) in July to the New Building Sub-section of the Housing Department for repairing first and then public rental housing flats would be allocated, he wanted to know whether the Housing Department had kept records of which flats were lent and used for quarantine;

( b ) he asked if flats with confirmed cases in Chun Yeung Estate would be disinfected;

( c ) he wanted to know, since Chun Yeung Estate had been used as a quarantine centre, how many prospective tenants were allocated to the areas they had selected and how many were allocated to other areas and how much it would affect the public rental housing waiting list;

( d ) he pointed out that it was customary for the Housing Department to explain the facilities of housing estates to District Councillors or open some flats for public viewing before distributing keys, be it public rental housing or housing. He had reported to the District Officer/Sha Tin of the District Management Committee of Sha Tin District that these were how previous staff members of the Housing Department would arrange. He wanted to know if there would be flats opened to the public in Chun Yeung Estate; and

( e ) he wanted to know what the environmental impact of Chun Yeung Estate as a quarantine centre was and how to deal with future traffic problems.

8. Ms NGO Po-ling, Senior Housing Manager (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin 1), Housing Department gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the special arrangements of Chun Yeung Estate that members enquired about were flat allocation policies. She said that it was not appropriate to provide the details of some cases here and she could refer the cases provided by members to the Allocation Section for follow-up after detailed understanding;

( b ) since the prospective tenants of Chun Yeung Estate had not moved in yet, the Estate Management Division had no information on the relevant cases for the time being;

( c ) the information about which flats of Chun Yeung Estate housed confirmed cases belonged to the DH;

( d ) matters about the public rental housing waiting list were managed by the Application Sub-section. For all she knew, after the prospective tenants of Chun Yeung Estate moved in, the public rental housing waiting situation could roughly get back to the original status;

( e ) since prospective tenants wanted to move in as soon as possible, whether Chun Yeung Estate would be opened to the public depended on the occupation timetable; and

( 4 ) Action (f) she had forwarded members’ expectation to the New Building Sub-section for a public visit before distributing keys and was waiting for a reply.

9. The Chairman pointed out that issues about Chun Yeung Estate used as a quarantine centre discussed in every meeting were answered by Ms NGO Po-ling. He asked whether the Sha Tin District Office (STDO) could invite officers relevant to Chun Yeung Estate to attend the next meeting and answer members’ questions.

10. Mr Simon WONG, Assistant District Officer (Sha Tin) (1) said that after this meeting, together with Ms NGO Po-ling, he would follow up and forward members’ views and invite relevant Sub-sections of the Housing Department to the next meeting.

11. The views of Mr SIN Cheuk-nam were summarised below:

( a ) he said that yesterday he accompanied the tenants concerned in person to the Allocation Section of for follow-up. However, the Waiting List Unit pointed out that it was the responsibility of the Estate Management Division, but the representative of the Housing Department pointed out at this meeting that it was the responsibility of the Allocation Section;

( b ) he required that the Housing Department report these special circumstances to higher authorities and policy bureaux; and

( c ) he was willing to meet with officials from different Sections of the Housing Department and the tenants concerned, and he asked whether the representatives of the Housing Department could agree to hold a meeting according to the special circumstances with him to discuss and solve problems.

12. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:

( a ) regarding that it was expected that the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department would not have the air conditioning repaired until August while (STDC) meetings were still ongoing, he wanted to report to the STDO that he could not hear the response of the representative of the Housing Department clearly just now. He only vaguely heard that the information about which flats of Chun Yeung Estate housed confirmed cases belonged to the DH;

( b ) he asked if the flats having housed confirmed cases had undergone enough disinfection procedures so that prospective tenants could move in safely; and

( c ) he pointed out that he did not have the mobile phone number of the representative of the Housing Department and he was willing to hold a meeting with officials from different Sections of the Housing Department to deal with the special cases of Chun Yeung Estate.

13. The views of Mr MAK Tsz-kin were summarised below:

( a ) he was disappointed with the written reply of the Housing Department;

( b ) he pointed out that members had enquired about matters related to Chun Yeung Estate many times at meetings and every time the Housing Department replied that

( 5 ) Action it would follow up after meetings. He asked whether the Housing Department had prepared related information with other departments to answer members’ questions before the meeting;

( c ) he pointed out that many prospective tenants wanted to know the disinfection and renovation procedures of Chun Yeung Estate and which flats had confirmed cases. He asked the Housing Department and the DH to follow up and provide relevant information at the next meeting; and

( d ) he hoped that the Housing Department could arranged for District Councillors to inspect Chun Yeung Estate so as to know the disinfection and renovation situation.

14. The views of Mr CHEUNG Hing-wa were summarised below:

( a ) he opined that the Housing Department had not responded directly to the provisional motion which required the Housing Department to deal on ex gratia grounds with cases in which prospective tenants could not move in time because Chun Yeung Estate was used as a quarantine centre. He also pointed out that the written reply of the Housing Department had a very “bureaucratic tone”. He asked if there was any change in financial condition or the number of family members of a prospective tenant which made him illegible, and how the Housing Department would deal with this situation;

( b ) he asked except for the disinfection works carried out by the DH and the Centre for Health Protection, after Chun Yeung Estate was returned to the Housing Department, whether the Housing Department would check and disinfect all the facilities again, including sewers and others, so that prospective tenants could move in safely; and

( c ) he hoped that the Housing Department could arrange for District Councillors to conduct a site visit at Chun Yeung Estate.

15. The views of Mr CHAN Pui-ming were summarised below:

( a ) according to a Legislative Council paper, 3121 out of 4846 flats in Chun Yeung Estate were used for quarantine, accounting for 64%. Regarding the reply of the Department which mentioned that there were 178 confirmed cases in Chun Yeung Estate, he opined that the public had the right to know which flats had been used for quarantine and had confirmed cases; and

( b ) for those units that had been sold or had not yet been sold, the Department would conduct a comprehensive inspection of the pipes, including the dung channels and sewers. He asked whether there would be the same arrangement in Chun Yeung Estate.

16. The Chairman pointed out that the Housing Department’s reply seemed to be saying that “trust the government; fret not”. The government would deal with matters in accordance with procedures, but this could not reassure members. He asked the Housing Department to respond to members’ request for a site inspection of the disinfection situation of the flats and for the ex gratia handling of special cases.

( 6 ) Action 17. Ms NGO Po-ling gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) regarding members’ enquiries about the ex gratia handling or the handling of special cases, besides Chun Yeung Estate, the Application Sub-section of the Housing Department had always dealt with individual cases according to the special circumstances of each waiting case and the processing methods could not be generalised;

( b ) if necessary, the Housing Department would consult other departments, including the Social Welfare Department;

( c ) regarding members’ request for a public visit and an inspection of the disinfection situation before prospective tenants of Chun Yeung Estate moved in, she believed that the DH and the Centre for Health Protection were experts and it would be more reassuring for them to be in charge of disinfection now. If there were confirmed cases in other estates, disinfection in public places would also be carried out in accordance with the guidance of the DH;

( d ) as for checking pipes, since the government just announced that Chun Yeung Estate would be returned at the end of July, she pointed out that the colleagues of relevant Sections would hold a meeting to discuss the work to be carried out after taking over Chun Yeung Estate; and

( e ) she would forward again members’ request for a site visit in Chun Yeung Estate before intake.

18. The Chairman wanted to know about the disinfection procedures of the DH.

19. Ms NGO Po-ling said that it was not appropriate for her to introduce the disinfection procedures of the DH on its behalf. Members could ask the DH for more information.

20. Members noted the above paper.

21. The Chairman said that the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) proposed a 9.66% rent increase in September this year. As the Chairman of the DHC, he regarded it unreasonable and asked whether members agreed to deal with the provisional motion that he wanted to propose.

22. Members agreed to deal with the provisional motion proposed by the Chairman.

23. The Chairman proposed a provisional motion which “required that the HA offer a three- month rent waiver to tenants and freeze the rent for one year”:

( a ) “Background of the motion: Since the Wuhan pneumonia spread to Hong Kong from Mainland China at the beginning of the year, all industries in Hong Kong have been in a slump and many people are owed pay, suspended from pay and unemployed. The pandemic has created the most severe economic winter in Hong Kong in recent years and the grassroots are the biggest victims. However, at this time, the HA proposed to increase the rent of nearly 800,000 public rental housing units by 9.66% from September, which is shocking.

According to the data of the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong,

( 7 ) Action GDP in the first quarter of this year was affected by the pandemic and in real terms declined by 8.9%, and it is predicted that GDP will decline by 4-7% in the whole year. After the latest adjustment, the unemployment rate has risen to 5.2%; meanwhile, the inflation rate is 1.9% higher than that of the same period last year. Based on the above data, Hong Kong’s economy has deteriorated significantly; however, prices are still rising. Coupled with the weak measures taken by the government to relieve poverty and the focus on financial groups, the economic impact on the grassroots, including public rental housing residents, is undeniably the greatest.

Now, once the HA implements the rent increase policy, it will not only be the fifth rent increase in 10 years, but also an absurd act of robbing the poor in the cold. The rent setting mechanism adopted by the HA adjusts rent according to the change of the income of the residents. This time, the increase in rent is based on the fact that the income of public rental housing residents increased by 9% between 2017 and 2019, but it does not take into account the sharp decrease in the income of public rental housing residents since 2020, which is obviously unrealistic.

Now that there are extra financial resources of the HA that are available, the HA should ride out difficult times with public rental housing tenants at this time, so as to show sympathy for them and help them overcome difficulties. Otherwise, it will not benefit the long-term operation of the HA and the overall economic recovery of Hong Kong; and

( b ) the motion: The DHC requests the HA to consider the economic difficulties and the hardships of the grassroots and immediately 1. offer a three-month rent waiver to tenants; and 2. freeze the rent for one year, so as to ride out difficult times with public rental housing tenants.”

Mr TING Tsz-yuen, Mr WONG Ho-fung, Mr Billy CHAN, Mr LO Tak Ming, Mr NG Kam- hung, Mr CHIU Chu-pong, Mr SHEK William, Mr George WONG, Mr LAI Tsz-yan, Mr , Mr YAU Man-chun, Mr TSANG Kit, Mr HUI Yui-yu, Mr Ricardo LIAO, Mr MAK Tsz-kin, Mr Michael YUNG, Ms LUK Tsz-tung, Mr CHAN Pui-ming, Mr YIP Wing and Mr Raymond LI seconded the motion.

24. Members unanimously endorsed the provisional motion in paragraph 23.

Discussion Item

Formation of Working Groups under the Committee (Paper No. DH 13/2020)

25. The Chairman asked members to consider whether they agreed with the proposal made in the paper with regard to the formation of the Working Group on Building Management and Housing Affairs (Standing Working Group) and the endorsement of its terms of reference.

26. Members unanimously endorsed the formation of the Working Group on Building Management and Housing Affairs and its terms of reference.

27. The Chairman suggested electing a convenor of the working group in accordance with the following criteria and procedures：

( 8 ) Action

( a ) the convenor of the working group was required to be a DC Member;

( b ) each candidate was required to be nominated by one member and seconded by at least two other members;

( c ) if there was only one candidate, the candidate would be deemed elected ipso facto; and

( d ) if there was more than one candidate, a vote would be taken on candidates in sequential order of their nomination by a show of hands or by electronic voting when necessary among members present, and the candidate who won an absolute majority of votes would be elected.

28. Members unanimously endorsed the election of the convenor of the working group in accordance with the above criteria and procedures.

29. The Chairman asked members to nominate candidates as the convenor of the Working Group on Building Management and Housing Affairs.

Candidate Nominator Seconders Mr SIN Cheuk-nam Mr Felix CHOW Ms TSANG So-lai Mr Chris MAK Mr CHEUNG Hing-wa

30. The Chairman said that since there was only one candidate, he announced Mr SIN Cheuk-nam was elected as the convenor of the Working Group on Building Management and Housing Affairs.

31. Members unanimously endorsed the decision that the above-mentioned working group should be appointed from 30 June this year to 31 December 2023, until the end of the term of service of this DHC.

32. The Chairman said that there were two standing working groups under the DHC and the other working group would be established at the next meeting.

Progress Report on 2020/2021 Major Works Projects in Sha Tin District (submitted by the Civil Engineering and Development Department) (Paper No. DH 14/2020)

33. The Chairman welcomed the Mr CHUI Si-kay, Deputy Project Manager (North Development Office); Mr John CHUNG, Chief Engineer/North (Special Duties 8); Mr Daniel LAU, Senior Engineer/9 (North) of Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD); Ms Yvonne LO, Senior Engineer/Special Task 1; Mr Simon LAI, Senior Engineer/ Drainage Projects 1; Mr Kenneth MOK, Senior Engineer/Drainage Projects 3 of Drainage Service Department; Mr YEUNG Man-leung, Senior District Engineer/South East; Mr LIU Chi- Kwong, District Engineer/Sha Tin (2); Mr Tommy LEUNG, Engineer 10/Universal Accessibility of Highways Department; and Mr NG Chou-keen, Senior Engineer/Project Management 4 of Water Supplies Department.

34. Mr CHUI Si-kay briefly introduced the paper.

( 9 ) Action

35. The views of Mr CHAN Pui-ming were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that when the typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong, the flooding at the Shing Mun riverbank was serious because the riverbank was only 3 metres above the average water storage base line. He wanted to know about the improvement works of the flood protection wall of the East bank of and the bank height;

( b ) he wanted to know about the progress of sewer rehabilitation works under the influence of the pandemic; and

( c ) he asked about the use of the land after the relocation of the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works (STSTW).

36. The views of the Vice-Chairman were summarised below:

( a ) he wanted to know about whether the flood protection wall of Shing Mun River would be affected when the water rose or the waves beat, or whether the rock- shaped buffer newly built by the Drainage Services Department would be affected;

( b ) he pointed out that the utilisation rate of the lift of the “Universal Accessibility” Programme at Chak Cheung Street was low and asked how the Department would deal with it; and

( c ) he asked about the situation of the cave tunnel of Nui Po Shan and the dust prevention works of that place.

37. The views of Mr SHEK William were summarised below:

( a ) with regard to the 4100DX flood protection wall project, he pointed out that although there was a flood protection wall for the tunnel from Banyan Bridge at Road across Tai Chung Kiu Road to Belair Gardens, it was often flooded. He asked whether the Department had any good solution to the flooding problem; and

( b ) he reported that Jockey Club Kitchee Centre (Kitchee) and were often flooded and worried that it would bring inconvenience to nearby residents after they moved in. Therefore, he asked the Department to consider installing flood control devices in relevant positions.

38. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that during the excavation process of the 425DS works, he noticed that there was dust flying. He wanted to ask the Drainage Services Department that besides watering, how to urge the contractors to reduce the impact of sand and noise on the district;

( b ) he wanted to know about the progress of the improvement works of the capacity and deodorisation of the Ma On Shan Sewage Pumping Station of the 399DS works;

( 10 ) Action

( c ) considering that 8 sites in Ma On Shan were to be rezoned, he wanted to know about the improvement works of the Pumping Station and whether the Drainage Services Department would consider building one more pipe starting from A Kung Kok Street to the STSTW, so as to share the burden of the two existing pipes which had been used for more than 30 years and crossed City Baptist Church Hay Nien Primary School (Hay Nien Primary School);

( d ) he pointed out that the flood protection wall of the 4100DX works project could only resist astronomical tide which would only occur once in a hundred years, while there was no plan to deal with the low-lying areas in the district. He asked whether the Department would consider constructing a stormwater storage tank at Recreation Ground to solve the problems in nearby low-lying areas;

( e ) he pointed out the ageing problem of the pipes in Chevalier Garden and Tai Shui Hang. Before the meeting, he discussed with the Water Supplies Department to add a set of pipes into Chevalier Garden in Hang Shun Street and the preliminary plan was to lengthen the existing pipes. He asked whether a new pipe would be constructed at the other end of Hang Shun Street for sharing burden and then other pipes would be repaired; and

(f) he pointed out that there was a route from Tunnel to Ma On Shan, but there was no route from Ma On Shan to in Road T4. Therefore, he thought that the traffic congestion at the junction between and Road could not be reduced through Road T4. He pointed out that people suffered from the traffic congestion in Ma On Shan, and the improvement works at Shek Mun interchange saw no progress. He wanted to know how the Department would deal with these two works projects and the traffic improvement works in Ma On Shan.

39. The views of Mr Felix CHOW were summarised below:

( a ) with regard to the 393DS sewerage rehabilitation works project, he pointed out that many residents had reported to him that there were strange smells coming from the bicycle path of Wo Che Estate, which was suspected to be sewage pipe leakage. He asked whether the Department had a mechanism to deal with complaints and how it followed up and dealt with them;

( b ) with regard to the 125DS works project, he wanted to know whether the second- phase works of the sewage collection system would cross the private area of Chek Nai Ping Village and whether the Department had discussed with village representatives the channel routing, the expected start date and completion date of the works;

( c ) he was concerned about the 188CD revitalisation works project and wondered whether the design of the bridge deck would be improved, or whether it would be with recreational functions so as to benefit the residents. He pointed out that because of the backflow of the river water of Shing Mun River to Fo Tan Nullah, there were bad smells. Therefore, he wanted to know the frequency of dredging and the disposition of sludge. He hoped that the Department could provide a revitalisation plan or a concept map for the residents’ reference;

( 11 ) Action

( d ) he wanted to know the details of the Kwai Tei New Village drainage works; and

( e ) as to the trees cut for implementing road widening works on (Sha Tin Section), he asked whether the Department would replant to improve landscape.

40. The views of Mr MAK Tsz-kin were summarised below:

( a ) he was concerned about the 188CD Fo Tan Nullah revitalisation works project and asked the Department how it would deal with the problem of the vile smell overflowing from Fo Tan Nullah;

( b ) he asked the authorities whether they had investigated the source of the discharge of pigment from Fo Tan Nullah and how to completely eradicate it in the future;

( c ) he asked whether the Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section) after the widening works could bear the traffic flow brought about by the newly added population in Fo Tan after 2030; and

( d ) he asked whether the authorities would study the feasibility of extending Fo Tan to other areas.

41. The views of Mr LUI Kai-wing were summarised below:

( a ) since the consultation work was carried out in April, he wanted to know the specific information about the Fo Tan Nullah revitalisation works, including the basic design, the plan and the phases of the works, so as to consult the residents;

( b ) he pointed out that he had reported to the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department that there was pigment in Fo Tan Nullah. However, the Departments replied that they could not find out the source during investigation. He wanted to know after the Nullah was revitalised, how they would deal with sewage of unknown source;

( c ) considering that the population of Fo Tan area would rise to 40,000, he asked whether the widening of Tai Po Road (Sha Tin section) could relieve the traffic pressure of Fo Tan in the future; and

( d ) he wanted to know whether the authorities would study the opening of new roads, viaducts or tunnels in Fo Tan to divert traffic.

42. The views of Mr CHENG Tsuk-man were summarised below:

( a ) he was concerned about the dust problem of the 425DS cave works project and wanted to know whether the soil would be transported by water or by land; and

( b ) he said that the residents appreciated that there were hoardings on the construction site which introduced the snakes in Ma On Shan. He asked if there would be hoardings introducing birds in the future to increase the residents’ knowledge.

43. The views of Mr WAI Hing-cheung were summarised below:

( 12 ) Action

( a ) he wanted to know the impact of the pandemic on the road widening works and the sound insulation works on Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section) and for how long the completion date would be delayed; and

( b ) 15 years ago, he proposed to relevant departments that vehicles from North District or Tai Po should use roads other than Tai Po Road to go to the urban area, but the departments did not respond positively or study feasible schemes. With the population growth in Fo Tan, he urged the departments to reconsider his proposal, so as to reduce the load and congestion on Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section).

44. The views of Ms WONG Man-huen were summarised below:

( a ) regarding the improvement works of the flood protection wall on the east bank of Shing Mun River, she pointed out that there was a flood protection wall from Banyan Bridge to Belair Gardens, but the channel would still be flooded when typhoons came. Because of the rising river and poor drainage, she thought that building flood protection walls could not root out the problem; and

( b ) regarding Fo Tan Road works, she pointed out that there were traffic jams for more than half an hour during the peak hours every day, and the works were not expected to be completed until 2023. She urged the Department to think about solutions actively.

45. Mr CHING Cheung-ying pointed out that if the residents wanted to use the lift (NF74 works) at Lion Rock Tunnel near Sun Tin Wai Estate, they needed to pass a very steep path and wheelchair users were not able to climb it alone, so the facility provided would be useless. He thought that relevant departments had not fully known about the surrounding supporting facilities before implementing the works. He asked the Department to carry out relevant follow- up and remedial work.

46. The views of Mr LAI Tsz-yan were summarised below:

( a ) there was an iron fence at the flood protection wall in front of Belair Gardens. He asked about the impact of this breach; and

( b ) he asked whether the Department had carried out any follow-up work, regarding the problem that the tunnel in front of Belair Gardens would be flooded every time the tide rose, while there were machine rooms in NS21 and NS22 to pump water back to Shing Mun River to prevent backflows.

47. Ms LUK Tsz-tung would like to obtain a report on the temporary traffic arrangements which was set because of the implementation of the 5193TB works project about constructing a pedestrian subway to support the provision of columbarium at On Hing Lane, Shek Mun, Sha Tin. She pointed out that there were many school buses parking at the roundabout, and suggested that the construction time should avoid the school rush hours. Besides, since the works would be carried out in the first quarter of 2021, she wanted to know the expected completion date.

48. The views of Mr Ricardo LIAO were summarised below:

( 13 ) Action ( a ) regarding the measures to be taken to improve the Shek Mun traffic interchange as stated in 7100CX, as to the suggested construction of a special road starting from A Kung Kok Street to Tate’s Cairn Highway, he wanted to know how to deal with the left carriageway of the road section from the Shek Mun traffic interchange, Tate’s Cairn Highway (southbound) to the entry of Siu Road;

( b ) he asked about the progress of the widening works of Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section) of the 861TH project;

( c ) he enquired about the reasons for the long-term closure of a carriageway from Tai Po Road to the town centre of Sha Tin; and

( d ) he asked about the progress of Road T4.

49. Mr wanted to know about the progress of Road T4 works and Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section) widening works. He pointed out that the road section from Ma On Shan to the downtown area was very crowded and urged relevant departments to implement relevant works speedily.

50. The views of the Chairman were summarised below:

( a ) he wanted to know the progress of the environmental impact assessment of Road T4 and whether noise barriers would be built near Lion Rock Tunnel at Fung Shing Court; and

( b ) whether sealed noise barriers would be built at the road section starting from the Riverpark to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum as planned to reduce noise.

51. Mr John CHUNG gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the progress of Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section) widening works was ideal and the contractor was carrying out public facilities diversion works on both sides of Tai Po Road. The Department would discuss with the contractor to speed up the construction and it was expected to be completed in 2023;

( b ) Trunk Road T4 was under investigation, including technical assessment of environmental and traffic impacts and tree survey. The Department would consult Councillors for advice at STDC meetings after obtaining specific results; and

( c ) it was planned that Trunk Road T4 works would be carried out after the completion of Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section) widening works and the Department would ask the Legislative Council for funding for the works in due course.

52. Mr Kenneth MOK gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the improvement works of the flood protection wall of the East bank of Shing Mun River were implemented for combating flooding caused by astronomical tides and monsoons in dry seasons, which was different from other general kinds of flooding;

( 14 ) Action ( b ) affected by astronomical tides and monsoons, the water level of Shing Mun River will rise to near the ground level of the bicycle path;

( c ) astronomical tides occurred on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar and the monsoons would blow up sea water, causing the water level of Shing Mun River to rise and the bicycle path of Garden Rivera to be flooded;

( d ) except for the places in front of Regal Riverside Hotel and , there were flood protection walls at all other places of the whole Shing Mun River section. When the water level rose, the water would flow from these two breaches to the bicycle path and the footpath, flooding four pedestrian subways. Therefore, it was suggested that flood protection walls be installed in the above two breaches to solve the flooding problem caused by astronomical tides and monsoons;

( e ) the Highways Department was responsible for the maintenance of the four pedestrian subways. Three of them were equipped with pumps which could pump away the rainwater flowing into the tunnels when it rained, but not all the seawater flowing from Tolo Harbour. The Drainage Services Department and the Highways Department worked closely together to make sure that the existing pumps could operate normally in astronomical tides and monsoons;

(f) due to the low location at Shing Mun River, the bicycle path and the footpath there would be flooded during storm surges. However, the Drainage Services Department had examined the drainage capacity of the Shing Mun River and determined that the water level would not be higher than the nearby roads and houses;

( g ) the Drainage Services Department had set up a working group with the , the District Office, the Transport Department and the Highways Department to formulate special arrangements to deal with flooding in the pedestrian subways along the banks of the Shing Mun River during storm surges;

( h ) the CEDD was carrying out a consultancy study to examine the Shing Mun River and the impact of related storm surges, and would formulate appropriate defensive measures to enhance the coastal area’s ability to resist huge waves;

( i ) the Department would install special water retaining boards at the entrance and exit breaches of the iron fences in the existing flood protection walls to prevent the inflow of seawater;

( j ) the Drainage Services Department had installed special check valves in Tsang Tai Uk to prevent seawater backflow;

( k ) the Department was actively following up on the seawater backflow in the Kitchee Court;

( l ) in April this year, the Department carried out an investigation study on the revitalisation of Nullah and Fo Tan Nullah. The Department would adopt a people-oriented design concept, understand the needs from the perspective of users and let everyone participate in the design of the scheme through interaction. It would make models for the scheme for testing, so as to facilitate the collection

( 15 ) Action of opinions and improve the design. The Department expected to hold an interactive workshop in the fourth quarter of this year and would inform members and stakeholders in due course; and

( m ) the Department hoped to improve water quality by revitalising the nullahs and the measures included on-site monitoring, identifying the sources of sewage and considering the construction of dry season interceptors to intercept sewage discharge.

53. Ms Yvonne LO gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the first phase of the relocation of STSTW to caverns works was launched in February 2019. The ongoing works included site development, construction of connected tunnels, retaining walls and related road works;

( b ) as to environmental mitigation measures of the works, the Department had placed protection nets on the reclaimed slopes and grew plants to prevent soil and water loss;

( c ) during the construction period, the Department would spray water regularly and erect hoardings to reduce dust. Besides, the Department would timely review and strengthen environmental mitigation measures to control dust and noise;

( d ) the ongoing excavation of the main tunnel was the preliminary works of the relocation works. Later, the Department would apply for funding for the construction of a main cavern and an upstream sewage collection system, and it would implement the installation works of sewage treatment facilities in newly built caverns. And then, the existing sewage would be introduced into the future cavern sewage treatment works for treatment with new or improved pipelines. And finally, the existing STSTW would cease to operate;

( e ) the Department was carrying out an investigation and detailed design for refitting Ma On Shan Sewage Pumping Station and related sewage system facilities, and considering whether a new sewage pump throat was needed according to the routing and conditions of the existing two sewage pump throats. The Department would communicate with members in a timely manner;

(f) the Department noted members’ suggestion of displaying more educational information, such as information about birds, on hoardings at the sites;

( g ) the rocks produced during the process of excavation would be transported to suitable sites such as public fill reception facilities or the Lam Tei Quarry for reuse or recycling through a temporary overpass across A Kung Kok Street and ;

( h ) the relocation works as a whole was expected to be completed at the end of 2031. The usage of the site of the STSTW after it was freed up would be dealt with in another plan and work study of the government, which would focus on the planning and development of the freed-up land. The freed-up land would be used for residential development and other purposes beneficial to people’s livelihood;

( 16 ) Action ( i ) the construction of the temporary Community Liaison Centre next to Chevalier Garden would be completed from August to September. At that time, relevant stakeholders would be invited to study the use of it; and

( j ) the Department would bring back the opinions of members on the rehabilitation works of the trunk sewer of Sai Kung and the Chek Nai Ping Village sewer works for follow-up.

54. Mr Tommy LEUNG gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the lift at the pedestrian subway (NF175) of Chak Cheung Street was constructed under an “original plan”. Namely, before the government launched the “Universal Accessibility” Programme, the Highways Department had added barrier free facilities to public pedestrian passageways, as suggested by the Equal Opportunities Commission. As there was no standard barrier free access facility near NF175 or at NF175, the main purpose of the lift was to provide wheelchair users with equal access to the pedestrian subway; and

( b ) he said that NF74 was also constructed under an “original plan”. As for the member’s report on the lack of barrier free facilities near the lift, he would bring it back to the Department for follow-up and refer it to the Transport Department for further consideration when necessary.

55. Mr LEUNG Chin-hung, Engineer/New Territories East (Distribution 1), Water Supplies Department gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the Water Supplies Department had been paying close attention to the water supply in Tai Shui Hang area. With Kam Chun Court about to be completed, the Water Supplies Department had also planned to install a pair of fresh and salt water pipes from Kam Chun Court along Hang Tak Street to Tai Shui Hang Village to connect the existing water supply network in Tai Shui Hang area, so as to enhance the stability of the fresh and salt water supply systems of the district, including the systems in Kam Chun Court, Chevalier Garden and Tai Shui Hang Village;

( b ) the first phase of the works mentioned above, namely, the laying of pipes across Hang Tak Street, , had been completed by trenchless excavation, while the remaining works for the section from Kam Chun Court to Hang Tak Street would be carried out in the fourth quarter; and

( c ) the water supply pipes in Hang Shun Street, which were used to supply water to Tai Shui Hang Village and Chevalier Garden, had been included in the Department’s study plan, with a view to exploring the need for restoration and the feasibility of replacement.

56. The views of Mr SHEK William were summarised below:

( a ) he asked except for water pumps, whether it was feasible to install check valves at the tunnel of Belair Gardens to solve the problem of flooding;

( b ) he asked the Department to provide more water control methods and timetables; and

( 17 ) Action

( c ) he hoped that the Department would supplement methods about how to deal with the problems of the football pitches of Kitchee Centre in Shek Mun after the meeting.

57. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:

( a ) regarding the fact that the Water Supplies Department had constructed two peripheral circular waterways while there was only one waterway which connected Hang Shun Street to Chevalier Garden, in view of the leakage and the bursting of pipes in Hang Shun Street in the past, he would like to know whether there was room for an additional set of pipes to connect the existing water supply system of Chevalier Garden in the walkways of Hay Nien Primary School in Hang Shun Street and Ma On Shan Tsung Tsin Secondary School. The new water supply system would pass through the periphery of Tai Shui Hang and connect to the additional facilities to be built in Chevalier Garden Phase II to increase the efficiency of the waterway system;

( b ) he hoped that together with the Road T4 works, the problems of the district could be solved. He had proposed that the road section from Tsang Tai Uk to should be included in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and assessed, so as to study feasible footholds for traffic from Ma On Shan. And he asked whether the Department had implemented his proposal; and

( c ) he knew that sewage treatment works had facilities to detect suspended particles in the air. He wanted to know how the Department could ensure that mitigation measures were implemented at sites.

58. Mr John CHUNG gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) as to the routing of the Trunk Road T4, we had to take into account various restrictions of constructing in developed areas. Environmental impact assessment was an important part. The Department was actively considering the views of members and expected to consult members again when there was a mature scheme within this year; and

( b ) the Department would discuss with Mr Michael YUNG when information was updated.

59. Mr LEUNG Chin-hung said that the Department had included the water pipes of Hang Shun Street into its study plan. Mr Yung’s proposal would also be taken into consideration while the Department was exploring the need for restoration and the feasibility of replacement.

60. Mr Kenneth MOK pointed out that, of the 4 pedestrian subways, only the Belair Gardens subway had no automatic water pump, and the Drainage Services Department would install the required check valves. In addition, the Department had also asked the Highways Department to increase the pumping capacity of the pumps and ensure that they could operate normally in the rain. The Department expected that the flood protection wall works would be able to improve the current situation of seawater flowing back from the breaches to the pedestrian subways.

( 18 ) Action 61. Mr Michael YUNG said that since the flood protection walls could combat problems brought by astronomical tides in winter, he wanted to how the Department solved the flooding problems in the low-lying areas of Sha Tin District during the rainy season in summer. He asked whether the Department would consider building a stormwater storage tank at Tsang Tai Uk Recreation Ground to avoid the historical buildings in Tsang Tai Uk being flooded again.

62. Mr SHEK William pointed out that there was a flood protection wall outside Belair Gardens but flooding still occurred. He asked the Highways Department what additional information it had on the installation of additional pumps at the Belair Gardens subway.

63. Mr CHAN Pui-ming wanted to know the assessment figures of rising water levels in Sha Tin District when storm surges met astronomical tides.

64. Mr Kenneth MOK gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) in October last year, the Drainage Services Department launched an investigation study on the improvement works of the stormwater drainage system in Sha Tin. This study studied methods to reduce the risk of flooding in the low-lying areas of this district and involved the construction of a stormwater storage tank in Sha Tin Park to solve the flooding problem in the downtown of Sha Tin;

( b ) the Department was willing to further explore the necessity and feasibility of building a stormwater storage tank in Tsang Tai Uk;

( c ) a special study defensive measures against typhoons in low-lying areas would be carried out by the CEDD. The Department would make supplementation after obtaining the latest information; and

( d ) it was believed that after the existing 740-metre breach of the flood protection wall was filled, the flooding problems caused by astronomical tides and monsoons would be reduced.

65. Mr CHUI Si-kay concluded that the Department aimed to brief members on the ongoing works or the works to be started soon, including works about road traffic and the construction of flood control facilities. The presented department representatives would bring members’ opinions back to relevant departments for follow-up, and they would consult members in due course after relevant works were approved.

66. The Chairman asked departments to keep in touch with members’ who had asked questions and let them know the progress of relevant projects.

67. Members noted the above paper.

2020/2021 Work Plan Outline for Sha Tin District (submitted by the Housing Department) (Paper No. DH 15/2020)

68. The Chairman welcomed Ms NGO Po-ling, Senior Housing Manager (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin 1), Mr Andy KU, Senior Maintenance Surveyor (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin), Mr Elvis LAI, Senior Building Services Engineer (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin) and Mr Samuel WONG, Senior Property Service Manager (Tai Po, North and Sha Tin) of the Housing Department.

( 19 ) Action 69. Ms NGO Po-ling, Mr Andy KU and Mr Elvis LAI briefly presented the paper.

70. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:

( a ) he wanted to ask Mr Samuel WONG about the arrangement for providing additional night shift guards in Yan on Estate he had promised earlier;

( b ) he was dissatisfied with the fact that the night shift guards would only be increased after Kam Chun Court was occupied and only morning shift guards and middle shift guards would be added at present. He asked whether it was necessary to report to the Director;

( c ) he pointed out that he had already reported to the general manager that senior civil engineering personnel and those who were familiar with civil engineering should be arranged to follow up on the Phase II works of Yan On Estate;

( d ) since it was not mentioned in the Paper, he asked about the maintenance and repair plan of Yan On Estate which was already 10 years old since its intake;

( e ) he pointed out that when the wind blew, the rain would be blown into the machine room, resulting in the flooding and the door of the garbage room being blown down. He would need to spend several months urging the Department to follow up;

(f) he was dissatisfied with the fact that when he visited the Estate with Mr Samuel WONG earlier, he found someone smoking, but the manager did not take the initiative to dissuade him and claimed that he had no right to issue a ticket; and

( g ) he wanted to know whether there would be a manager who was with specific responsibilities for matters about Yan On Estate according to the new management service contract. He did not want this Estate to share the same manager with Fung Wo Estate, Court, Yue Tin Court and others.

71. The views of Mr CHING Cheung-ying were summarised below:

( a ) he expected that the Housing Department could improve the software and hardware management of housing estates;

( b ) in terms of software, he hoped that estate management officers could actively intervene and disperse gambling. He also hoped that the Department could allocate funds to install closed circuit television cameras to monitor the scenes;

( c ) he was disappointed that there was no response to gambling in the work plan. He pointed out that the pavilion outside Hin Keng Estate Market, the location of the fountain outside the parking lot of Lung Hang Estate, the place in front of New Jade Shopping Arcade, the basketball courts at San Tin Wai and the pavilion outside the bus stop of were all famous gambling places. He urged the Housing Department to follow up actively;

( d ) in terms of equipment, he pointed out that it was a good thing to replace the iron gates of San Tin Wai Estate with new ones, but the new iron gates were too thick.

( 20 ) Action Among them, the installation of the new iron gate in Yu Wai House had reduced the position of the gate by one third, making it inconvenient for plus size residents to enter and leave. He asked the Department to adjust the design; and

( e ) he pointed out that sometimes the water supply to a whole or half of a building needed to be suspended due to the implementation of the works. He urged the Department to be people-oriented while carrying out improvement works and install brakes to avoid suspending the supply of fresh water and salt water to a whole building.

72. The views of Ms NG Ting-lam were summarised below:

( a ) since she took office, had changed its manager for four times;

( b ) she pointed out that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) would spray mosquito larvicidal oil and install ovitraps twice a week, but no FEHD staff had ever sprayed larvicidal oil in the sewer in front of her office;

( c ) she said that it would bring about good results to add rat blocks and rat nets on top of sewers;

( d ) she suggested that good quality floor mat be laid for recreational facilities for the elderly; and

( e ) she pointed out that the police had contacted her and the Housing Department to deal with the problem of gambling, but gamblers would gamble again the next day. She hoped to strengthen the crackdown on gambling, especially the gambling activities under the bridges outside bus stops and near shopping malls.

73. The views of Ms LUK Tsz-tung were summarised below:

( a ) she pointed out that Shek Mun Estate Phase I was 10 years old and the salt water supply was unstable. She wanted to know why the annual plan did not cover the renovation works of pipes, and whether it would be dealt with only after Shek Mun Estate Phase II reached 10 years old; and

( b ) she asked whether the panels installed in front of security seats in response to the pandemic would be removed at the expense of the Housing Department or the Estate Management Advisory Committee (EMAC).

74. The views of Mr CHAN Pui-ming were summarised below:

( a ) he found it strange that the car park of Kam Fai Court could only be monitored through the closed-circuit television in the security room of Yan On Estate;

( b ) he opined that the number of security guards of Yan On Estate was inadequate; and

( c ) after the installation of the panels, the lobby became cramped and the security guards were sweating. He asked what improvements had been made to the facilities of Yan On Estate.

( 21 ) Action

75. The views of the Chairman were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out the picture of “the fitness facilities for the elderly in Mei Lam Estate” shown in the briefing paper was actually taken from Fung Shing Court;

( b ) he asked the Department to lay a floor mat and install a cover in Fung Shing Court near the basketball court to protect the residents from being affected by bird droppings from the trees;

( c ) the problem of illegal parking at Fung Shing Court roundabout was under the management of Chun Shek Estate. He urged the Department to normalise the measures to block illegal parking during the lunar new year;

( d ) he asked the Department to provide more information on the fresh water booster pump of Chun Shek Estate;

( e ) he pointed out that in hot weather, upstairs residents of estates suffered water seepage of floors because of the operation of the air conditioners of downstairs residents. In addition to appealing to the residents to turn down their air conditioners, the Department could actively explore other options to reduce the impact of dampness on the residents; and

(f) he urged the Department to remind Housing Officers to actively solve the problems of the residents and be people oriented.

76. Ms NGO Po-ling gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) regarding members’ suggestion of installing closed circuit televisions to combat illegal gambling, the Housing Department would keep in close contact with the police to make arrangements depending on specific situations of gambling in individual estates; and

( b ) the Department would remind front-line colleagues to follow up on the management of housing estates actively.

77. Mr Samuel WONG gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) in response to the reconstruction works of Yan On Estate, the Department had increased two shifts after checking the number of security guards. Besides, the Department would actively review and consider increasing the number of guards so as to add one more shift and consider the need of the residential building nearby that was to be completed;

( b ) after typhoon Mangkhut, the Engineering Division of the Department had carried out improvement works such as installing water retaining boards to prevent rain from entering the lift motor rooms of the buildings in Yan On Estate in the future when there was a typhoon. The Engineering Division had also repaired the door of the garbage room and other rooms that had been blown down by typhoon Mangkhut;

( 22 ) Action ( c ) when he visited Yan On Estate with Mr Michael YUNG last time, they met with a resident who illegally smoked. He and the staff of the Office immediately advised and stopped the resident. The Department had asked staff of the Office and security guards to strengthen inspection and crackdown and arrange task force assistance when necessary;

( d ) the manpower for the new contract of Yan On Estate Phase II was determined according to the established mechanism of the Housing Department. Each manager from the management company might be required to manage more than one estate. As for members’ suggestion, he would timely forward it to the group responsible for outsourcing contracts of the headquarters of the Housing Department;

( e ) for the parking spaces belonging to the HA in Kam Fai Court, the signal of the closed-circuit television for monitoring the relevant parking spaces would be transmitted to the nearest estate of the HA (i.e., Yan On Estate), which was a general arrangement;

(f) with regard to the security control room of Yan On Estate, the Development and Construction Division (New Buildings Team) and the Estate Management Division (Maintenance Team) of the Department had actively coordinated with the Estate Office on the placement of closed-circuit television screens to facilitate security work;

( g ) with regard to the salt water supply in Shek Mun Estate, the New Building Sub- section of the Department had actively improved the stability of the water supply system and the situation had been improved;

( h ) the Department would arrange appropriate maintenance works in the annual plan of Shek Mun Estate in accordance with the individual circumstances and needs of Shek Mun Estate Phase I and Phase II;

( i ) the panels in front of the security seats of public housing estates were temporary facilities. The future demolition arrangement would depend on the instructions of the headquarters of the Department, but he believed that the cost involved would not be too much;

( j ) the Department would discuss with the EMAC and local District Councillors on the necessary repair works for each estate before implementation;

( k ) as for the frequent change of managers of the management company of Mei Lam Estate recently, the Department would pay close attention to this situation and require the management company to arrange appropriate training for new colleagues;

( l ) the Estate Office of Mei Lam Estate would continue to carry out mosquito control work in areas under the management of the Housing Department; and

( m ) with regard to the ventilation of the lobby of Yan On Estate, the Maintenance Sections (Architectural Section and Building Services Section) would study improvement plans.

( 23 ) Action

78. Mr Andy KU gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) in response to the query that the width of the new gates installed at the buildings at the corner of San Tin Wai Estate had been reduced by one-third, he pointed out that the design allowed residents to fold the gates for moving furniture;

( b ) brakes had been added to Hong Wai House and Fook Wai House and studies would be conducted to see how to install gates in other buildings when necessary, so as to reduce the impact on the residents while repairing water pipes;

( c ) as to the material of the floor mat of Mei Lam Estate, the Department had studied the durability of seamless materials and tried to arrange to speed up the replacement of aged floor mat in the new contract;

( d ) works listed in annual plans were mainly major works, while minor works were arranged for Shek Mun Estate, including the replacement of the door of the garbage house;

( e ) new pressure relief valves were being tested in Shek Mun Estate to reduce damage to the water pipes;

(f) as for the combined management of Shek Mun Estate, the Department would arrange maintenance when necessary;

( g ) the photo of Chun Shek Estate was an example, and the Department would study the laying of floor mats to ensure the safety of the elderly; and

( h ) as to the problem that upstairs residents were affected by air conditioner water seepage, the Department would first advise downstairs residents to change the direction of the air outlets of their air conditioners. If downstairs tenants agreed, the Department would also study adding heat insulation materials to ceilings, but it was difficult to replace upstairs floor material.

79. Mr Elvis LAI replied that Shek Mun Estate and Yan On Estate were 10 years old or above and the Department would arrange regular inspection and maintenance to the equipment of the buildings.

80. The views of Ms NG Ting-lam were summarised below:

( a ) she received the key to her office in late May, but she found mould on the walls after the renovation works. Mould free water had been used for cleaning. She wanted to know how to deal with this problem if there was mould on the walls again; and

( b ) another tenant who applied later than she had already moved into a place where plastic flooring was equipped. She wanted to know about the process of laying plastic flooring in her office and the water dripping caused by the air conditioner upstairs.

81. The views of Mr WONG Ho-fung were summarised below:

( 24 ) Action

( a ) he wanted to report the instability of the salt water supply in Mei Tin Estate and he asked the Department to review the design of the brakes; and

( b ) he suggested that the Department pay attention to and improve the frequent occurrence of false alarms while carrying out maintenance works.

82. The views of the Vice-Chairman were summarised below:

( a ) he was dissatisfied with the fact that Ka Keng Court, the new housing estate in Tai Wai, had not formed an owners’ corporation yet and the representatives of the Housing Department were not well prepared while attending the residents’ meeting; and

( b ) he asked whether the Housing Department would take over the management of Ka Keng Court during the half year tender period if the management company could not renew the contract. He pointed out that at that time, the representatives of the Housing Department said that the Department had no responsibility to take over, but the residents had to continue to pay management fees. He asked the Housing Department to give a written reply regarding this problem.

83. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:

( a ) he was disappointed with the Housing Department from the way it built to the way it managed. He pointed out that on the first day of intake of Yan On Estate, it was noticed that there was a ventilation problem in the lobby. He had invited Mr Samuel WONG to take a seat there from 3 pm another day to get the reason why it was difficult to employ security guards for Yan On Estate;

( b ) he pointed out that on that day, Mr Samuel WONG had promised to increase manpower, but failed to fulfil his promise; and

( c ) he believed that the annual plan should cover the maintenance works of the Estates. He suggested that the Housing Department should consult relevant EMACs on the contents of the annual plan next year before submitting it to the DHC.

84. The views of Mr Billy CHAN were summarised below:

( a ) he urged the Department to actively deal with the mosquito and midge problems in Sha Kok Estate;

( b ) he wanted to follow up on the installation of parallel bars at the park in Skylark House; and

( c ) he wanted to know the exact schedule for the implementation of the construction of walkway covers in Green Heron House.

85. The views of the Chairman were summarised below:

( a ) with regard to the problem of dampness caused by the temperature of air

( 25 ) Action conditioners, he asked whether the Department would consider adding foams and other materials to ceilings of the residents to solve the problem of water seepage; and

( b ) he wanted to know the reason why Chun Shek Estate was unwilling to a set permanent line to prevent illegal parking.

86. Ms NGO Po-ling gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the use of the road in Chun Shek Estate was with restriction and it was also an emergency vehicular passageway. Therefore, it was impossible to place fixed facilities on the road in the long run. The Department would step up efforts to deal with illegal parking; and

( b ) regarding the problem about Ka Keng Court, the Department would submit a written reply.

87. Mr Andy KU gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) regarding the mould and water seepage caused by the air conditioners on the upper floors of the Member’s office in Mei Lam Estate, these problems might be due to the fact that it had not yet been occupied and there was poor ventilation. If these problems still occurred after occupation, the Department would definitely follow up;

( b ) the construction of walkway covers in Sha Kok Estate was regulated by the Buildings Ordinance. It took time to apply for plot ratio exemption. With the approval of the Independent Checking Unit, the works could be implemented;

( c ) the Department would follow up and speed up the replacement of parallel bars in Sha Kok Estate; and

( d ) he thought that the installation of insulation materials such as foams on ceilings of downstairs residents could solve the problem of water seepage form upstairs floors. However, the residents might not be willing to allow the Housing Department to install foams.

88. Mr Samuel WONG gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) he would instruct the property service manager of Mei Tin Estate to enquire about the matters about the unstable salt water supply and false alarm and then reply to Mr WONG Ho-fung;

( b ) the Maintenance Sections (Architectural Section and Building Services Section) of the Department would study methods to improve the ventilation in the lobby of Yan On Estate; and

( c ) the Department would actively inspect the number of security guards of Yan On Estate.

89. The views of Mr WONG Ho-fung were summarised below:

( 26 ) Action

( a ) he pointed out that the problem of water dripping from the air conditioners in Mei Lam Estate was serious, and he wanted to know how long it would take to install insulation materials; and

( b ) last week, there was a lift fall in Mei Mun House, but the security guard on duty was not good at dealing with emergencies. He asked the Department to provide more training for security guards in handling emergencies and pay attention to the maintenance of lifts.

90. Mr Michael YUNG pressed about when the number of security guards of Yan On Estate would be increased; when the Department would follow up on the problem of cross estate arrangement of estate managers; and when the problem of the ventilation system of the lobby of Yan On Estate, which had not been solved for 10 years, would be solved.

91. The views of Mr Billy CHAN were summarised below:

( a ) he wanted to know the official start time of the construction of walkway covers; and

( b ) he asked why the Department said that it was because of technical problems so it had not accepted the FEHD’s suggestion of relaying soil for flower beds to deal with the mosquito and midge problems in Sha Kok Estate.

92. The views of the Chairman were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that in the meeting mostly the Department would reply that it would “study” or “there were difficulties”. But when the EMAC showed disagreement, its proposal would be rejected. He was dissatisfied with this and thought that it was unfair; and

( b ) he urged the Department to follow up on the views of members, including the arrangements for installing foam boards to solve the problem of water seepage caused by air conditioners and handling illegal parking.

93. Ms NGO Po-ling gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) she would ask the staff of Estate Offices to contact FEHD staff to follow up on the mosquito and midge problems in Sha Kok Estate; and

( b ) as to some proposals that could not be approved by the EMAC, the Department would respect the decisions of the EMAC and try to use other funds to solve problems when necessary.

94. Mr Andy KU gave a consolidated response as follows:

( a ) the structure diagram of the walkway covers to be constructed in Sha Kok Estate had been submitted to the Independent Checking Unit for approval and normally a reply would be received within two months. After being approved, it would take one month to apply for a “construction paper”, so it was expected that the works could be officially started before the end of this year; and

( 27 ) Action

( b ) for the problem of water seepage caused by air conditioners, if the residents were willing to change their air outlets, the situation could be improved. Another method was to install heat insulation boards or foam boards, but only if the residents agreed to install them.

95. The Chairman asked the Department to persuade the residents to install insulation boards to solve the problem and to follow up on the problems and suggestions raised by members after the meeting, so as to improve the environment of the estates.

96. Members noted the above paper.

Site Formation and Infrastructure Works for Housing Sites in Ma On Shan – Feasibility Study and Proposed Amendments to the Approved Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan No. S/MOS/22 (Paper No. DH 16/2020)

97. The Chairman welcomed Ms Jessica CHU, District Planning Officer/Sha Tin, Tai Po and North, Mr Kenny LAU, Senior Town Planner, Mr Adrian LEE, Town Planner/Sha Tin 3 of Planning Department, Mr Gabriel WOO, Project Team Leader/Housing, Mr Patrick CHENG, Senior Engineer/2, Mr Jack LUI, Engineer/3 of CEDD, Mr Edwin LO, Project Manager, Ms Eunice LEE, Principal Engineer, Ms Esther TONG, Principal Environmental Scientist, Mr Tony LEE, Engineer of Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited, Ms WONG Elim, Planning Officer 6, Ms Amy HO, Senior Architect 20, Mr Alan YUEN, Senior Civil Engineer 4, Mr Horace LAI, Architect 87, Mr Marcus TSO, Civil Engineer 7 of HD, Mr Wilfred NGAI, Engineer/Ma On Shan of Transport Department.

98. Mr Kenny LAU briefly presented the paper.

99. The Chairman said that there was a motion proposed by Mr Michael YUNG on the agenda, i.e., “Opposing the Rezoning of Eight Housing Sites in Ma On Shan for Residential Land Use Prior to Improvement of the existing Infrastructure”. He asked members whether they would like to process these two items together.

100. Mr CHAN Pui-ming suggested that they discuss the Paper first and then deal with the motion.

101. The Chairman agreed.

102. The views of Mr SIN Cheuk-nam were summarised below:

( a ) he thought that the new houses to be built according to the Outline Zoning Plan were expected to bring about a population growth of 20,000, with which the transportation facilities in Ma On Shan would be overloaded;

( b ) according to the population projection of the Planning Department, there would be a population of 220,000 from 2019 to 2028. However, since 2016, new housing estates in Ma On Shan had been occupied one after another, including Double Cove, the Met. Bliss, the Met. Blossom, Seanorama, St. Barths, Kam Fai Court, Kam Chun Court and Yan On Estate phase II. According to the census, it was estimated that there would be more than 250,000 people in 2028. If the construction of the new houses planned in the Outline Zoning Plan would be

( 28 ) Action completed from 2029 to 2032, Ma On Shan would have a population of nearly 280,000, which was much higher than the estimated population of 220,000. Therefore, he doubted whether the community supporting facilities could bear the burden;

( c ) he pointed out that at the current roundabout of Shek Mun, the traffic paralysed frequently at A Kung Kok Street, and he also pointed out that the population growth would affect the access of Ma On Shan residents;

( d ) as Road T4 would not be opened to traffic until 2028, he believed that it would be difficult to cope with the population growth of the district;

( e ) he asked the government to give priority to the development of idle agricultural land and brownfield sites, rather than using the green belt on the periphery of Ma On Shan country park for house development;

(f) he would not support or even oppose the amendments to the Outline Zoning Plan before supporting facilities were confirmed holistically; and

( g ) he pointed out that the supporting facilities for residential care homes for the elderly did not meet the criteria. He suggested that sites be used to build public residential care homes for the elderly first before considering building public housing estates.

103. The views of Ms TSANG So-lai were summarised below:

( a ) she thought that the four residential housing projects in the Plan would increase the population by 20,000, while the construction works of Road T4 had not yet started. At present, Ma On Shan residents were suffering from traffic congestion and it took 40 minutes to leave Ma On Shan during peak hours. Therefore, she disapproved of the building of new houses before solving the problem of traffic congestion;

( b ) she and other members had once inspected the locations of two residential housing projects and found that the Ma On Shan Tsuen Road was very narrow and thought that there might be vehicle-pedestrian conflicts. She wanted to know the details of the expansion plan of the Ma On Shan Tsuen Road; and

( c ) she urged the Department to seriously consider and solve the above-mentioned problems about traffic supporting facilities.

104. The views of Mr CHENG Tsuk-man were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that in the past, while developing a residential building, consideration would be given to whether it was a screen-like building, the impact of the building on the surrounding environment and the facilities of the Estate. However, due to the lack of planning by the government, it was now building houses making use of every single space;

( b ) he pointed out that Ma On Shan now had a population of more than 200,000 and the roads were not enough to meet the needs of the residents. While the traffic

( 29 ) Action problems remained unsolved, he worried that the situation would be worse in the future;

( c ) as for the expectation that there should be one clinic for every 100,000 people, he pointed out that there was only one clinic for more than 200,000 people in Ma On Shan, which reflected that the supporting facilities could not keep up with the population growth. Therefore, he urged the government to actively solve the problem;

( d ) he pointed out that the per capita living area was 17 square metres in 2007, and asked why relevant data were not mentioned in the paper;

( e ) he wanted to know whether the Site C of the project was a sewage pumping station or a water pumping station; and

(f) he asked whether the Ma On Shan Tsuen Road, now a two-way single lane road, would be widened in the future.

105. The views of Mr Felix CHOW were summarised below:

( a ) he thought that the proposal of building houses in every available space in the Outline Zoning Plan would undermine the overall interests of the community. He pointed out that the population of Ma On Shan had exceeded its original designed capacity. The government used the green belt on the periphery of Ma On Shan country park to develop not only public housing estates, but also private residential buildings;

( b ) he pointed out that there were no major changes in infrastructure in the Outline Zoning Plan and there were only small-scale adjustments, such as adjusting the location of traffic lights and speeding up the Road T4 works. However, it had not included improvement works for the traffic black spots of Sha Tin District, including the traffic congestion in Tai Po Road, Shek Mun roundabout and Chak Cheung Street outside University Station;

( c ) he thought that it was not reasonable for the Plan to include the CUHK Medical Centre and Union Hospital in Tai Wai into Ma On Shan;

( d ) he thought that there should be a long-tern blueprint for community development to improve the quality of the lives of the residents; and

( e ) he said that he would not support the development of the relevant zoning plan and proposals at present.

106. The views of Mr Wilson LI were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that development under the current traffic, environment and supporting facilities was unacceptable;

( b ) he said he had received hundreds of objections from the residents, pointing out that road traffic was a major problem;

( 30 ) Action ( c ) some residents reported to him it only took about 45 minutes to get from Wu Kwai Sha to Kowloon East five years ago, but now it took 75 or even 90 minutes. In recent years, many new residential housing estates had been completed in Wu Kwai Sha, such as Double Cove Phases III, IV and V, Seanorama, St. Barths, the Entrance, Altissimo, etc. He pointed out that if the road system had not been improved, and the increase in housing estates and population would cause the problem of overloading;

( d ) he thought that since 3,560 trees would be cut down because of the Plan, it would affect biological habitats;

( e ) he pointed out that it was no longer possible to deal with the problems of insufficient bus routes and parking spaces;

(f) he believed that the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines was outdated and urged the government to respect the wishes of the residents; and

( g ) before the improvement of transport facilities and infrastructure, the residents did not support the relevant project. He hoped that the (TPB) would consider the relevant views.

107. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:

( a ) referring to the traffic impact assessment report of the CEDD on the cave sewage treatment works, comparing the traffic capacities of 2015 and 2019, he pointed out that the traffic capacity of the junction of AM Peak Sai Sha Road/Hang Fai Street in 2015 was 0.57, and the traffic capacity of the junction of Ma On Shan Road/Hang Hong Street was 0.46. He pointed out that the closer the figure was to 1, the traffic congestion was more serious, and he asked why roads were becoming more and more congested but in 2019, the figure of Hang Fai Street was 0.54 while that of Ma On Shan Road/Hang Hong Street junction was 0.36, which showed no rise but fall in data;

( b ) he asked why the data in 2015 showed that there were 930 vehicles per hour on the eastbound carriageway and 420 vehicles per hour on the westbound carriageway of A Kung Kok Street, but the total amount in 2019 was only 1165 vehicles. He wanted to know why the consultant company would separate the data of Ma On Shan Tsuen Road into uphill data and downhill data;

( c ) he asked why there were only 10 vehicles per hour on the J6 interchange from Hang Hong Street to Sai Sha Road in 2019;

( d ) he pointed out that the peak hours showed in the document were from 7:30 to 9:30, while in the detailed traffic analysis, they were from 7:45 to 9:15. He thought this report was full of mistakes and suspected that someone deliberately suppressed the traffic flow so that it could be submitted to the TPB. Therefore, he asked for the contents of all the covered parts in the report to be disclosed or the provision of all the 16 reports. Otherwise, he thought that it was a disregard for the well- being of the residents of Sha Tin and Tai Po; and

( e ) Mr CHAN Pui-ming wished to propose a provisional motion in a moment.

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108. The views of Mr TING Tsz-yuen were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that the road leading to University Station on is a three-lane carriageway, while Chak Cheung Street overpass was a two-lane carriageway. Except that the roundabout of Chak Cheung Street/Science Park Road would be changed to a signalised junction, he wanted to know whether the location near the University Station would also be changed to reduce traffic accidents;

( b ) he wanted to know the details of the optimisation of signal control at the junction of Sai Sha Road/ Road;

( c ) he thought that widening a section of Tate’s Cairn Highway southbound outside A Kung Kok Fishermen Village from a three-lane carriageway to a four-lane carriageway would not be helpful in reducing the traffic flow. He suggested that the back and forth carriageways of Tate’s Cairn Tunnel also be changed to three- lane for relief;

( d ) he thought that since Road T4 had not been constructed yet, the sudden increase of the population by 20,000 would bring about the problem of overloading to the transportation facilities;

( e ) he pointed out that Ma On Shan had a population of 210,000, and it was estimated that 30,000 people would move in. And it was planned that the population would be increased by another 20,000, i.e. there would be a population of 260,000 in total. He asked whether police stations, councils and hospitals could be added in Ma On Shan according to the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. For example, Tai Po had a population of 300,000, so it had its own Tai Pao Council, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and administration building; and

(f) he opposed the development of the Plan before there were complete supporting facilities.

109. The Chairman pointed out that there would be a conference room cleaning service at 6:30 p.m. and asked members whether they intended to continue the discussion after the cleaning.

110. Mr Michael YUNG suggested that members give their views together first before the cleaning and then discussions be carried out after the break.

111. The Chairman agreed.

112. The views of Mr CHAN Pui-ming were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that when the government needed development, it meant that there were overriding public needs that should be met. He said that since Ma On Shan Carriageway was opened to traffic in 2005, Yan On Estate and Oceanaire had been added to Ma On Shan. In the future, prospective residents of the Comprehensive Development Zone of , Yan On Estate Phase II, Kam Chun Court and Kam Fai Court would also move in. He believed that the current external

( 32 ) Action traffic, which relied on Ma On Shan Road, A Kung Kok Street and Ma On Shan Carriageway, could no longer meet the population demand;

( b ) he pointed out that traffic problems also occurred in Sha Tin. The traffic flow brought about by more residents moving in the Comprehensive Development Zone of Shap Sze Heung, Tai Po, Queen’s Hill and Chun Yeung Estate had not been calculated. The widening works of Road T4 and Lion Rock Tunnel had not been completed. However, the morning traffic jam was getting earlier and earlier, but there was no corresponding road improvement works. Therefore, he opined that the transportation might have difficulties in coping with more people;

( c ) he pointed out that country parks were set up to protect water and soil, while green belts country parks. Therefore, no development should be made arbitrarily;

( d ) he pointed out that these were only two carriageways on Ma On Shan Tsuen Road. If there was an accident, the residents would not be able to get down and ambulances would not be able to get up either;

( e ) he wanted to report to the District Office that there were about 40,000 people who were issued One-way Permit in Hong Kong every year. This project would bring about an increase of 20,000 people and would involve 400,000 people in total in 10 years. He was dissatisfied that he could not ask questions about One-way Permit;

(f) he pointed out that as a resident of Ma On Shan for more than 30 years, he had once waited in Shatin for more than one day for cecectomy;

( g ) he pointed out that he could not approve of this development plan because he had received a large number of complaints from the residents about transport and community facilities; and

( h ) he wanted to move a provisional motion later.

113. The views of Mr CHING Cheung-ying were summarised below:

( a ) he received a lot of objections to the development of the four residential projects in Ma On Shan, especially the development on the green belt. The plot ratio was as high as 6.8 times, which became a precedent;

( b ) some residents pointed out that there was a traffic problem in Ma On Shan and said that five years ago, it only took 45 minutes to get to Kowloon East, but now it took 75 to 90 minutes;

( c ) regarding the query raised by Mr Michael YUNG just now on the traffic impact assessment report, which had underestimated the current state of the saturated traffic, He thought that this development plan would paralyse the traffic which was already heavy;

( d ) he pointed out that the paper had not mentioned that trees would be replanted to fill the vacancies of the 3,560 trees to be cut down because of the Plan;

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( e ) he asked why not develop brownfield sites first instead of the green belt next to the country park;

(f) he was worried that this development plan would cause a wall effect, which would affect the downtown of Ma On Shan;

( g ) he asked about the impact of the Plan on the country landscape of Ma On Shan; and

( h ) he had reservations about this development plan until members’ doubts were dispelled.

114. The views of Mr CHENG Chung-hang were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that the traffic in Ma On Shan was saturated and the Shek Mun roundabout was very congested during peak hours. He hoped that the Department would increase the population of Ma On Shan after solving the fundamental problems;

( b ) he pointed out that in Ma On Shan, illegal parking was serious and there was a shortage of parking spaces;

( c ) regarding the two residential housing development projects on Ma On Shan Tsuen Road, he pointed out that there were vehicle-pedestrian conflicts on weekends. Many people go to Ma On Shan Country Park for recreation, and he did not want to see that green belts were used for housing development; and

( d ) he hoped that the authorities would make good use of land resources and give priority to the development of brownfield sites.

115. The views of the Vice-Chairman were summarised below:

( a ) he pointed out that the paper only mentioned the green belt, but did not mention the country park. He believed that the Plan would affect the country park;

( b ) he pointed out that according to the Plan, the area of private housing units was about 2.73 hectares and the highest plot ratio was 3.6 times, but that of public rental housing units was less. He believed that private housing would be the biggest beneficiary of this development plan;

( c ) he urged the Planning Department to face up to traffic problems since there was already a large private development project on Sai Sha Road;

( d ) he did not understand why 3,560 trees needed to be cut down but the paper had not specified the species affected. He asked if rare plants, such as Manglietia and Westland’s Rhododendron which was unique to Ma On Shan, were involved;

( e ) he worried that the Plan would affect the historical site Old Ma On Shan Mine, and he pointed out that the paper had not mentioned the protection of 110ML and 240ML mine caves, cranes, hangers, etc;

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(f) assuming that a 40-storey building was more than 340 metres in height and the highest hill in Ma On Shan was 702 metres above the main horizontal level, he believed that this development plan would affect the landscape of Ma On Shan;

( g ) he pointed out that the plot ratios of green belts should be 0.4, while the highest plot ratio in the paper was 6.8; and

( h ) he did not support this housing plan. He hoped that the Department could deal with road works first and then talk about development.

116. The views of Mr Chris MAK were summarised below:

( a ) he was strongly against this development plan. In terms of transportation, he thought that the Department should be well aware of the road throughput and the traffic volume of Ma On Shan;

( b ) he thought that the planning of the public housing on Ma On Shan Tsuen Road was similar to that of Estate. Both of them included only one mountain road for the residents to come in and go out. The population growth would only add burden to the traffic of Ma On Shan which had not been completed;

( c ) he thought that Ma On Shan should not be over developed because there were not enough parking spaces currently in this area. Parking lots and other facilities were not mentioned in the planning, and cultural or community recreational facilities were also lacking; and

( d ) he pointed out that Ma On Shan was densely-populated. Therefore, neither the road nor the traffic could bear population growth. He urged the Department to re- plan Ma On Shan.

117. The Chairman pointed out that members unanimously disapproved the Plan. He suggested that the Department should review and prepare relevant improvement proposals after listening to members’ views, and then discuss them in depth at the next meeting. He suggested that the meeting be suspended and resumed on 3 July.

118. The views of Mr Michael YUNG were summarised below:：

( a ) he asked whether the Department could provide a report with no information concealed on 3 July, or keep a set of the reports in the District Council Secretariat and respond to members’ questions on the report at the meeting on 3 July;

( b ) if not, he suggested that this item be discussed again at the next meeting and that questions be dealt with first at the resumed meeting; and

( c ) he pointed out that many contents of the report were concealed, which was different from the traffic impact assessment reports provided by other departments. He could not read the contents of the report. He wanted to know whether the CEDD could provide all the 15 reports with no information concealed.

( 35 ) Action 119. The Chairman asked if the Department would be able to handle it the next day which was a public holiday.

120. Mr Gabriel WOO said that the Department would review whether the information concealed was sensitive information or third-party information and would take follow-up actions with Mr Michael YUNG after the meeting.

121. Ms Jessica CHU said that the Department could handle it and agreed to continue the discussion at the resumed meeting on 3 July.

122. Mr CHAN Pui-ming hoped that the Department could provide supplementary information on the morning of 3 July, including traffic and ecology information.

123. The Chairman said that members wanted to obtain information for a comprehensive discussion and asked whether the Department would consider not attending meetings until 1 September.

124. Ms Jessica CHU said that the Department could handle it and agreed to continue the discussion at the resumed meeting on 3 July.

125. Mr Patrick CHENG pointed out that, regarding the concerns of Mr Michael YUNG and Mr CHAN Pui-ming on the traffic impact assessment report, the Department could take follow- up actions with members after the meeting. He also pointed out that the concealed part was design parameter and the result was not concealed. He suggested that a transportation report be submitted first.

126. The Chairman asked the Department to try its best to provide detailed information, including the traffic and ecology information that had been concealed, for members’ reference.

Date of Next Meeting

127. The next meeting was scheduled to be held at 2:30 pm on 3 July 2020 (Friday).

128. The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 pm.

Sha Tin District Council Secretariat STDC 13/15/50

September 2020

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