Property owner fined over $130,000 for not complying with removal orders
An owner was convicted and fined $131,540 in total, of which $123,120 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (January 14) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, the West Kowloon Law Courts Building
The case involved unauthorised structures on the flat roofs of two premises, of about 125 square metres and 60 sq m respectively, in a residential building on Tsuen Lok Street, Tsuen Wan; and the removal of a fire-resisting door. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), two removal orders were served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal orders, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.
The Buildings Department (BD), Photo source: reference image
A spokesman for the BD said today (January 15), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
Vetting Committee supports one more application under New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme
The Innovation and Technology Commission announced today (January 15) that the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee (the Vetting Committee) under the Innovation and Technology Fund has supported in principle an application submitted by Oriental Materials Hong Kong Limited under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS). The project plans to set up new production lines producing and validating semiconductor equipment which are under the advanced manufacturing technology sector. The estimated total investment amount is over $800 million, and the expected NIAS funding amount will be around $200 million.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "We are glad that one more enterprise is planning to establish new advanced production facilities in Hong Kong through the NIAS. This project will not only bring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to Hong Kong, but also further improve and upgrade the industrial chain, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness. The Government will continue to support enterprises, driving new industrialisation and promoting high-quality economic development in Hong Kong."
The NIAS provides funding support on a 1 (Government): 2(enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies) and contributing no less than $100 million to setting up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government also provides additional funding for relevant enterprises to engage research talent and/or technical personnel.
The NIAS is open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the website of the Innovation and Technology Fund (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
