Owners of three detached houses of Redhill Peninsula fined over $270,000 in total for carrying out unauthorised building works
Owners of three detached houses of Redhill Peninsula pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts last Thursday (January 8) to carrying out unauthorised building works (UBWs) in contravention of section 14(1) of the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123) , namely, knowingly undertaking building works without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD). They were fined $275,000 in total by the court.
Redhill Peninsula, Photo by Bastille Post
The BD conducted a large-scale operation in September 2023 to inspect houses along the coastal area of Redhill Peninsula. UBWs were found in a number of detached houses, including the aforementioned three houses. The investigation by the BD found that the owners of the three houses had knowingly carried out the UBWs without the prior approval and consent from the BD, including adding structures to the garden, open yard, living room, bedroom, flat roof and the rooftop, thus contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action against the owners under section 40(1AA) of the BO in August and September 2024. They were convicted and fined $130,000, $85,000 and $60,000 respectively last Thursday.
"The BD has already instigated prosecution actions against 30 detached houses on Redhill Peninsula. So far, 24 cases have been convicted by the courts for contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Court hearings for the remaining cases are being rolled out," a BD spokesman said today (January 12).
The spokesman said that property owners should consult building professionals before carrying out building works to ensure compliance with the BO.
Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) (i.e. commencement or carrying out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD) commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000 and imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
The Government will submit a bill to the Legislative Council to amend the BO this year, which will include increasing penalties for offences against serious UBWs to enhance deterrence.
The Buildings Department (BD), Photo source: reference image
Action Plan on Weight Management officially launched to encourage public to incorporate physical activity into daily life
The Department of Health (DH) today (March 21) held a launching ceremony and carnival for the "Action Plan on Weight Management x 10 000 Steps a Day Walking Challenge" at the West Kowloon Cultural District to encourage members of the public to pay attention to their health, integrate physical activity into their daily life by walking 10 000 steps a day and manage their weight persistently.
The Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, and the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, jointly officiated at the launching ceremony.
In her opening remarks, Dr Fan said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been committed to enhancing and protecting public health. We not only strengthen healthcare services, but also strive to create conditions conducive to healthy living across various areas, including education, urban design, transportation, sports and community development. We aim to help the public understand the importance of integrating health considerations into various areas. The recently released Action Plan on Weight Management by the DH promotes territory-wide weight management comprehensively. We hope the public will receive comprehensive support from the system, the environment and community, and perceive health as a practical and achievable path in daily choices, rather than a distant ideal."
In his welcoming speech, Dr Lam said, "In response to the national Weight Management Year initiative, the Chief Executive explicitly set out the Action Plan in his 2025 Policy Address. The Action Plan aims to drive citywide attention to weight management through five key directions, 15 specific objectives and 47 action items. Rather than being merely a policy document, the Action Plan represents a collective investment in the health of future generations. To weave action into daily routines, the 10 000 Steps a Day walking challenge offers an easy starting point for everyone - whether by getting off the bus a stop earlier or enjoying an after-dinner walk with family. Walking offers numerous health benefits, including improved cardiopulmonary function, stronger muscles and bones, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Whether through the Action Plan or the 10 000 Steps a Day walking challenge, we hope to inspire everyone to make positive changes and adopt a healthy lifestyle."
The DH organised the month-long 10 000 Steps a Day walking challenge for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, attracting a cumulative total of approximately 35 000 participants. Starting this year, the walking challenge will be regularised as a year-round initiative available to the public free of charge, encouraging everyone to use 10 000 steps a day as a target to cultivate the habit of regular physical activity. To participate, simply download the eHealth App (see QR code in the annex), log in to the "e+Life" platform, and synchronise your moblie device's step count to the platform. Citizens can then check their daily steps and progress at any time. The platform also features various thematic walking routes, as well as functions displaying personal records and friends' step counts, allowing the public to remind and encourage each other. This makes exercise an enjoyable activity that can be incorporated into daily life, while accumulating health coins to redeem prizes.
Dr Lam noted that Hong Kong faces significant challenges regarding non-communicable diseases. For instance, in 2024, over half (53 per cent) of all registered deaths in Hong Kong were caused by non-communicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory diseases. In addition, the Population Health Survey 2020-22 revealed that over half of the adult population is overweight or obese, which significantly increases the risk of developing related diseases and places long-term pressure on the healthcare system. To reverse this situation, a whole-of-society approach is required.
The interdepartmental Working Group on Weight Management, led by the DH, will continue to roll out various activities and measures. Through multisectoral collaborations across the Government, industry, academia and the community, it aims to raise citywide attention to weight management and build a healthy city. The DH expressed sincere gratitude to government bureaux and departments, as well as the numerous collaborating organisations and community partners, for their unwavering support for the Action Plan and today's carnival. Other officiating guests at the launching ceremony include the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui; the Chairperson of the Task Group on Promotion of Physical Activities, Dr Lui Siu-fai; and the Vice-chairperson of the Task Group, Dr Lobo Louie.
Following the launching ceremony, the carnival featured game booths and performances designed to encourage the public to cultivate healthy lifestyles through interactive activities.
For more information on the walking challenge and weight management, please visit the "e+Life" platform and relevant DH websites.
Action Plan on Weight Management officially launched to encourage public to incorporate physical activity into daily life Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Action Plan on Weight Management officially launched to encourage public to incorporate physical activity into daily life Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Action Plan on Weight Management officially launched to encourage public to incorporate physical activity into daily life Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Action Plan on Weight Management officially launched to encourage public to incorporate physical activity into daily life Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
