Opening remarks by SDEV on quarterly land sale programme for October to December 2024 (with video)
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session today (October 4) on the quarterly land sale programme for October to December 2024:
Today I will introduce the Government's Land Sale Programme in the third quarter of this financial year, that is October to December 2024.
In the third quarter, we will put up for tender two sites, namely, one residential site in Tai Wai and a site in Hung Shui Kiu, for development of Multi-storey Buildings for modern industries.
Residential site
I will first briefly introduce the residential site. The site is located on Mei Tin Road, Tai Wai, expected to provide a supply of about 360flats. This site is not among the list of sites on the Land Sale Programme we announced in February this year. This is because the technical study for this site was not yet completed back then. Upon completion of the relevant studies, we find it appropriate to include this site in the Land Sale Programme and put it up for tender in this quarter, having considered market response to the sale of residential sites in Sha Tin in the first two quarters as well as developers' greater interest these days in smaller-scale sites well served by transportation network and amenities.
In addition, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) plans to tender in this quarter its development project in Tung Chung East Station (Package 1), bringing about 600 flats. In view of market response, the MTRCL reduced the development scale of this package to half of its previous scale when it first tendered in October 2023. The MTRCL will announce details at the time of tender invitation.
As for private development and redevelopment projects, three projects are expected to complete their lease modifications in this quarter, providing a supply of 1 235 flats. The majority of these come from a relatively large-scale in-situ land exchange application in the Fanling NorthNew Development Area. The applicant has recently accepted the Lands Department's Binding Basic Terms Offer for that project. This is the second land exchange case concluded after the Government revised in end-2023 the land exchange arrangements for the Enhanced Conventional New Town Approach. These in-situ land exchange applications will enhance the speed of implementing the Northern Metropolis and reduce the Government's upfront spending on land resumption and public works while at the same time allowing the Government to receive premium revenue earlier.
To summarise, taking all the above sources of housing land supply into account, the total private housing land supply in the third quarter will support the development of around 2 200 flats.
Together with the supply from the first two quarters, the total supply for the first three quarters of this financial year is expected to support some 6 470 flats, which is close to 50 per cent of our annual supply target of 13 200flats. This figure has not yet reflected private development projects not requiring lease modification in the third quarter, as such figures are only available at a later stage.
Industrial site
Regarding the industrial site, we will roll out shortly a site in Hung Shui Kiu for development of Multi-storey Buildings. We will continue adopting the two-envelope approach for the disposal of this site in order to demonstrate the importance we attach to the quality of such Multi-storey Buildings, with a view to achieving the Government's policy objectives to promote development of modern industries and at the same time consolidating some of our brownfield operations.
In order to keep up with market demand, we have undertaken further engagement with the market in the past few months regarding the tender conditions of this site. Based on the market feedbacks so gathered, we will adjust the conditions of this site including downward adjustment of its plot ratio, downward adjustment of the floor area to be returned to the Government and giving a longer tender period.
Details of the tender will be announced when we commence the tender invitation for the two sites I named above, one housing site and one industrial site.
The Government will continue to sustain our effort in rolling out land in a prudent manner to meet our housing and economic development needs.
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
