Three property owners fined over $250,000 in total for not complying with removal orders
Three owners were convicted and fined $251,000 in total at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday (July 28) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The first case involved the erection of a lightwell structure, partial removal of a beam and opening formed on the floor at a composite building on Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. 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 had been prosecuted by the BD and was fined upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal orders, the owner was prosecuted for the second time, and was fined $139,950 in total, of which $89,950 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued upon conviction by the court.
The second case involved unauthorised structures on the flat roof of a composite building on Fu Yan Street, Kwun Tong. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and fined $59,900 in total, of which $9,900 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.
The third case involved the erection of a floor slab on the cockloft, removal of a staircase to the cockloft and a door opening formed in the staircase enclosure wall at a composite building on Pitt Street, Yau Ma Tei. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, and they affected the fire-resisting construction of the building, contravening the Building (Construction) Regulation, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $51,150 in total, of which $41,150 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.
A spokesman for the BD said today (July 31), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent enforcement action and instigate prosecutions against owners again if they persist in not complying with removal orders 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.
Source: AI-found images
FEHD to implement new monthly public niche allocation arrangement starting tomorrow
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will implement a new enhanced monthly allocation arrangement for public niches starting tomorrow (August 1), fully replacing the existing annual allocation.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Under the enhanced allocation arrangement, over 1 600 extendable public niches will be made available each month across Tsang Tsui Columbarium in Tuen Mun, Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling, Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Chai Wan and Shek Mun Columbarium in Sha Tin (see Annex)."
The spokesman emphasised that if the number of applications for a particular columbarium exceeds the available quota, resulting in applicants not being allocated a niche at their selected columbarium, the FEHD will automatically allocate a niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium to ensure every applicant secures a niche in the monthly allocation. Applicants may decide whether to accept the automatically assigned niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium.
If applicants choose to decline the automatically assigned niche at Tsang Tsui Columbarium, they may re-submit an application for their selected columbarium in the following monthly allocation exercise. However, if a successful applicant declines an allocated niche at their selected columbarium, the FEHD will not accept a further application for the same deceased person at the same columbarium for the next six months.
Starting from tomorrow, members of the public can apply online or download the application form from the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) or the Platform for Cemeteries and Crematoria Services (app.fehd.gov.hk/ccsp). They can also obtain the application forms in person from the Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, District Environmental Hygiene Offices of the FEHD, or Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department, or by fax via hotline 2841 9111.
On the 20th of each month (or the next working day if it falls on a Saturday or public holiday), the FEHD will conduct a drawing of lots and computer balloting for eligible applications received in the previous month to determine the allocation sequence and the designated niches allocated to successful applicants.
The spokesman advises applicants to give priority to online submission to avoid postal delays or non-delivery. Upon submission, applicants will promptly receive an acknowledgement receipt with a case number, facilitating the follow-up of the application in the future. If the applicant is the same person who has applied for cremation service for the deceased, online application is more convenient as no further document submission is required, and the application will be granted automatically. Successful applicants can pay the prescribed fees to complete the required niche allocation formalities through the "Single Portal with Token for Online Services and Payment" on the Platform for Cemeteries and Crematoria Services, without visiting the Public Niche Allocation Oce in person. For those not applying online, they shall submit the completed application form together with copies of the required documents by fax (2333 1716), email (apply_newniche@fehd.gov.hk), post, or in person to the Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices within the application period.
For details of the arrangements of the niche allocation exercise, please visit the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
