LegCo Members Visit Northern Metropolis for Development and Ecological Conservation Insights

2026-09-10 23:20 Last Updated At：23:28

LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

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LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The President of Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, as well as members of LegCo Panel on Development and other Members conducted the third visit to the Northern Metropolis (NM) today (September 10) to gain insight into the latest planning and development of the Kwu Tung North (KTN) New Development Area (NDA), the efforts to conserve the ecology of and historic buildings in NM, and the Administration's measures to promote urban-rural integration.

Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, Members first observed the construction sites of the public housing estate Kwu Chun Estate, several private housing projects, and the MTR Kwu Tung Station at the newly constructed Road P1 in the KTN NDA. They were also briefed by the Administration on the overall planning and development concepts of the KTN NDA, as well as the latest development progress of housing, transport infrastructure, and the Government joint-user complex and general office building in the district.

Members learnt that Kwu Chun Estate is among the first batch of public rental housing projects in the NDAs of the NM, with phase one comprising about 5 000 units that will be ready for intake in phases starting from the third quarter of this year. The Kwu Tung Station is also expected to commence service in 2027. Members exchanged views with government officials on the construction of community facilities, such as markets, shopping centres, public transport facilities and schools in the NDA, and urged the Administration to ensure that community facilities are in place when residents start to move in to meet the needs of local residents.

Members also visited the Sik Sik Yuen Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute in Kwu Tung. Built in 1933, the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre provided medical services to local villagers until its closure in 2005. The Centre was subsequently accorded Grade II historic building status, and then revitalised into an ecological learning institute in 2023. Members toured the ecology and cultural history exhibition hall and the outdoor areas, which features facilities including an eco-pond and a Chinese medical herbs garden. Members were also briefed by the Administration on policies regarding revitalisation and conservation of historic buildings, as well as the revitalisation and conservation process of the Institute.

Accompanied by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, Members also visited the Long Valley Nature Park and the nearby Yin Kong Village to learn about the Government's efforts to promote urban-rural integration and ecological conservation in the NM. Members noted that, to promote urban-rural integration in the NM, the Governmentproposed establishing a $200 million "NM Urban-Rural Integration Fund" as a pilot scheme to support non-governmental organisations to take forward urban-rural integration projects, as well as piloting the relaxation of planning restrictions on "Village Type Development" in Yin Kong Village, allowing houses within the village to be converted into restaurants, retail shops or guesthouses, with a view to boosting economic activities in villages and tourism development.

Members welcomed the Administration's implementation of various measures to promote integration of villages and NDAs when planning the NDAs in the NM. They exchanged views with the representatives of the Government on how to assist villagers in retrofitting their houses for engaging in economic activities, as well as the infrastructure upgrading works, such as transport and sewerage, required to cope with the additional economic activities.

A total of 64 Members attended the visit. In addition to members of the Panel on Development, other non-members also attended.

Click here to watch the video highlight of today's visit.

Woman Sentenced for Smuggling 4,122 Illicit Cigarettes, Fined $2,000 in Hong Kong Courts

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 8 for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers first intercepted the incoming 49-year-old local female passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on June 11, and seized 1 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her baby stroller. The female passenger was subsequently arrested and released on bail. Customs officers intercepted the female passenger again at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on August 22 and seized 2 941 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her and her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested again. A total of 4 122 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated total market value of about $20,000 and a total duty potential of about $13,600, were seized in the two interceptions.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

LegCo Members Visit Northern Metropolis for Development and Ecological Conservation Insights

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