Development Bureau Unveils $7.76 Billion Plan for Northern Metropolis and Urban-Rural Integration

Opening remarks by SDEV on planning and lands policy areas at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting

Following are the opening remarks (English translation) by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, on planning and lands policy areas at the special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee today (April 16):

Chairman and Honourable Members,

In 2026-27, the total estimated expenditure of the Planning and Lands Branch of the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the departments under its purview is approximately $7.761 billion comparable to the revised estimate for the previous year. The number of civil service posts has decreased by 307, i.e. about 4 per cent, compared with last year. The Planning and Lands Branch of the DEVB will continue to optimise the use of resources and take forward the following priority tasks under the principle of enhancing quantity, speed, efficiency and quality.

Accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis

The first task is accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM). Fully advancing the development of the NM will remain the top priority of our work in the coming year. Of the nine planned New Development Areas in the NM, site formation and infrastructure works for four are in full swing. Subject to funding approval of the LegCo, we will commence this year the works for the University Town in Ngau Tam Mei, Phase 1 Stage 2 of San Tin Technopole, and the government joint-user complex in Kwu Tung North. We also plan to commence the statutory plan rezoning procedures in Lau Fau Shan and the Priority Development Area of the New Territories North New Town within this financial year.

Meanwhile, we will introduce dedicated legislation to accelerate the development of the NM, with a view to further removing barriers and easing restrictions for the NM development and facilitating industry operation. We have commenced public consultation on the proposals for the dedicated legislation, with the target of introducing the bill into the LegCo in the middle of this year, and striving to have the legislation exercise completed within this year. Besides, the NM Projects Supervision Office has been established to remove barriers and expedite the approval of the private projects.

The wholly government-owned Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Limited (the Park Company) was established early this year. This enables the Government to take a leading role, better integrate market forces and adopt public-private partnership in developing and operating the around 23-hectare sites of the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park, with a view to driving a diverse range of industries including high valueadded or smart production and advanced construction. We will complete the remaining preparatory work in the second quarter, including seeking approval from the LegCo to inject capital of $10 billion into the Park Company, enabling it to commence operation in the middle of this year.

Also in Hung Shui Kiu is the first project under large-scale land disposal for which the tender invitation is under way. After the tender close in July, we will complete the tender evaluation process as soon as possible. Also, we will continue to incentivise investments from the market by implementing other innovative land administration measures, such as "Pay for What you Build", which has been introduced to Members earlier; allowing land owners to voluntarily surrender land planned to be resumed by the Government to offset the amount payable for land premium; and extending the tenancy term of the short-term tenancies.

While pursuing development, we remain committed to promoting urbanrural integration. We will brief the Panel on Development in the middle of this year on the ideas for "urban-rural integration", including the details of setting up the $200 million "NM Urban-rural Integration Fund" proposed in the Budget. We will introduce the operation details of the fund to the Panel at that time. Subject to funding approval from the LegCo, we will establish this new fund within this year.

Stable land supply to support diversified development

Secondly, besides the NM, stabling land supply to support diversified development is also our priority task. In respect of overall land supply, the Government's Land Sale List for this financial year includes nine residential sites. Together with supply from other sources, the potential land supply for the whole year is expected to have a capacity for providing some 22000 units. In view of the vacancy rate and the supply and demand situation in the nonresidential property market, the Government will continue not to put up general commercial sites for sale in the new financial year.

We definitely wish to make good use of the commercial sites on hand. Following the considerably positive response to the Hostels in the City Scheme launched last year, the DEVB has earlier invited the market to submit expressions of interest for post-secondary student hostel development on three sites planned for commercial uses. We received very positive responses and are currently consolidating and analysing the feedback received. It is expected that one or more of the relevant sites for post-secondary student hostel purposes can be rolled out for sale starting from this financial year the earliest.

To take forward the comprehensive yacht development project for the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter under large-scale land disposal, we will seek funding approval from the LegCo in the second quarter for the expansion of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, and commence the rezoning procedures for this comprehensive yacht development project and onshore development in mid-year. We expect to launch a tender for the yacht development project under large-scale land disposal in the first half of next year.

Enhancing building maintenance

Our third key task is enhancing building maintenance. The DEVB, together with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), will strive to launch an enhanced version of "Smart Tender" in the second half of this year. It will include establishing a more rigorous "pre-qualified list" of consultants and contractors, and the URA conducting the tendering and tender evaluation processes for owners to engage consultants and contractors. We propose in the Budget to inject a total of $300 million to the URA for this purpose, with $100 million as start-up capital for the URA to establish a subsidiary company dedicated to providing the enhanced “Smart Tender” services; and the remaining $200 million to provide fee concession subsidies for owners using "Smart Tender". We will make a report on the proposed implementation details of the enhanced "Smart Tender" to the Panel on Development in due course.

We will also allocate an additional $1 billion to the Lift Modernisation Subsidy Scheme to handle the remaining applications for some 1 200 lifts received. In addition, we are reviewing the practical experience gained from Operation Building Bright 2.0, and have earmarked $3 billion in this regard. We pln to consult the LegCo and seek funding for launching the new subsidy scheme for building maintenance after completing the review early next year.

By the end of this year, we will introduce a bill to the LegCo to amend the Buildings Ordinance, including the proposals for making further legislative amendments in light of the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court, e.g. upgrading large-scale maintenance works to Class I minor works for enhanced regulatory oversight; and strengthening safety measures for regulating large-scale maintenance works.

Enhancing the harbourfront

Lastly, on leveraging harbourfront resources, the event and public space at the former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier has been opened progressively from the end of last month for public enjoyment. We are currently exploring how to better connect the East Kowloon harbourfront, and will release for consultation in the second quarter of this year possible connectivity options at the New Praya, Kennedy Town.

The above is a brief report. I and my team from the DEVB will be happy to respond to any further questions that Members may wish to raise.

Source: AI-found images

AFCD responds to Ombudsman's direct investigation operation report

Regarding the direct investigation operation report on the Government's work in combating cruelty to animals released by the Office of The Ombudsman today (April 16), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) responds as follows:

The Government has always attached great importance to animal welfare and deters acts of cruelty to animals through stringent enforcement and preventive education initiatives. The AFCD appreciates the Office's attention to the work on combating animal cruelty and accepts its recommendations and will actively follow up on them.

The Ombudsman recommended that the Government consider amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169) (the Ordinance) in stages. The Government has been conducting research on the amendment of the Ordinance and will strive to provide a concrete update within this year.

To improve the handling of suspected animal cruelty cases, the AFCD updated its departmental guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering all procedures for handling reported cases involving suspected animal cruelty, and has conducted staff training. The AFCD will take reference from the report's recommendations to further include more specific criteria and indicators in the guidelines, so as to strengthen the monitoring of case follow-up and enhance file management. In addition, the AFCD will continue to enhance staff training and promote experience exchange to strengthen the experience and skills of staff, as well as their communication, investigation and enforcement capabilities.

Since 2011, the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police), the AFCD and the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have jointly implemented the Animal Watch Scheme. Through a multi-agency collaboration, the scheme proactively prevents and detects suspected cases of animal cruelty, and has achieved notable results. The AFCD has liaised with the Police and the SPCA on strengthening information exchange and the sharing of investigation outcomes, with a view to formulating appropriate measures to more effectively combat acts of cruelty to animals.

The AFCD has been committed to combating illegal hunting activities through regular patrols and strengthened patrols at illegal hunting black spots, the removal of illegal hunting appliances, and appropriate enforcement actions against offences such as unlawful possession. In response to the Office's recommendations, the AFCD will review its patrol strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering, and make good use of technology to enhance enforcement effectiveness. The AFCD will also review the relevant legislation and penalties in a timely manner. In terms of prevention at source, the AFCD will maintain close collaboration with departments such as Hong Kong Customs and the Police, to strengthen intelligence exchange and conduct joint operations. The AFCD has already provided relevant guidelines to Hong Kong Customs to assist in identifying hunting appliances in order to curb their illegal importation. In addition, the AFCD will continue to promote public education and publicity to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by illegal hunting appliances, encourage members of the public to report suspicious cases, and remind the public to use managed and maintained hiking trails in the countryside for their own safety.

The AFCD agrees with the Office's recommendation on strengthening public publicityand education. In addition to rigorous enforcement, enhancing public awareness of animal welfare is equally important in combating animal cruelty. The AFCD has set up a dedicated team to strengthen relevant public education work in collaboration with animal welfare organisations.

The AFCD will continue to uphold a professional spirit and work closely with various relevant government departments and organisations. Through rigorous enforcement and strengthened public education, the AFCD will strive to continuously enhance the effectiveness of its work in safeguarding animal welfare.

Source: AI-found images