The Hong Kong Jockey Club is deeply saddened by the tragic fire which broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po yesterday. We extend our condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and our sympathy to all those who have suffered injury and loss during 000the fire.
In response to these tragic events, the Club has been maintaining close contacts with relevant government departments to identify effective ways to render support to the affected residents. The Club announced today (27 November) that it is providing HK$100 million in assistance via the Jockey Club Emergency Relief Fund to address the immediate needs of victims and the families of the deceased. This aid will be provided via the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations. This represents the first tranche of the Club’s support, with more forthcoming.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Immediate emergency assistance includes:
HK$150,000 to the family of each deceased person.
HK$100,000 to each seriously injured person.
HK$50,000 to each injured person in a stable condition.
For families relocated to short-term housing and youth hostels arranged by the government or those who have self-arranged their relocation: 1-2 persons households will receive up to HK$10,000; 3 or more persons households will receive up to HK$15,000.
For operators of short-term housing to furnish units in preparation to receive relocated families: HK$18,000 for 1-2 person households and HK$20,000 for 3 or more person households.
Apart from immediate financial assistance, the Club's Charities Trust is working closely with relevant government departments and non-governmental organisations to offer additional help over the coming one to three months. This includes:
Transitional housing
Food assistance
Bereavement and psychological support
Educational support
Carer support
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Distribution of medications through community pharmacies under the Jockey Club PHARM+ Community Medication Service Network.
The Club is constantly monitoring the situation.
The Jockey Club Emergency Relief Fund was established in 2010 to provide rapid assistance to victims of natural disasters, accidents and epidemics. It enables the Club's Charities Trust to respond quickly and flexibly to those in immediate need.
Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses
Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.
Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.
The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:
(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.
(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.
"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.
To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.
Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.
Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.
Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.
Source: AI-found images
