Land and Development Advisory Committee Holds Meeting to Discuss Key Initiatives for Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address

Land and Development Advisory Committee holds meeting

At its meeting today (September 29), the Land and Development Advisory Committee was briefed by the Development Bureau (DEVB) on major initiatives related to the Bureau in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address (Policy Address).

Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address, Photo by Bastille Post

Members generally supported the vision and objectives outlined in the Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, as well as the Development Bureau's initiatives in the Policy Address. Members supported the Government's commitment to sustaining its land creation effort, building up land reserves, enhancing the speed, effectiveness and quality of the Northern Metropolis (NM) development, promoting urban renewal with a new mindset, comprehensively enhancing building safety governance, and building a liveable city. They considered that these commitments responded to market situation took on board the views of the industry and professional bodies. The key measures are as follows:

• Sustained efforts in land creation and building up the land reserve: It is estimated that around 2 500 hectares of "spade-ready sites" can be made available in the next ten years (2027/28 - 2036/37), of which about 70 per cent will come from the NM. Development of the five New Development Areas (NDAs) in the NM is well underway. The first four NDAs have entered the construction stage.  The Government will also seek funding approval from the Legislative Council (LegCo) for Ngau Tam Mei NDA soon. The Government will continue to advance the development of the remaining NDAs, including Lau Fau Shan, Ta Kwu Ling, Au Tau and part of Ma Tso Lung.

• Enhancing speed, effectiveness and quality of construction in the NM: The LegCo is scrutinising the NM Development Bill and it is expected that the Bill would be approved within this year. The Government will then introduce five pieces of subsidiary legislation into the LegCo, with a view to bringing the facilitation measures into effect in the first quarter of 2027.The Government will continue to control construction costs through various measures, including reviewing the existing building standards and requirements, adopting new procurement models, applying advanced technologies and construction methods, and further streamlining the relevant procedures. The Government will develop university towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling in the NM to achieve the integrated development of education, technology and talent. It has also earmarked 30 hectares of land in the NM for the development of the Advanced Construction Industrial Park. Following the award of tender under large-scale land disposal in Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area, the Government aims to launch the tender for the second pilot area in Fanling North by the end of this year. The Government will also publish the Guidelines on Promoting Urban-rural Integration in the NM within this year, and seek funding approval for $200 million from the LegCo Finance Committee to launch the NM Urban-rural Integration Fund.

The Northern Metropolis, Photo source: reference image

• Regenerate old districts with a new mindset: The Government will reform the maintenance system for aged buildings by adopting a two-pronged approach. On one hand, the scope of amendments to the Buildings Ordinance will be expanded to step up regulation of large-scale building maintenance works and the maintenance works sector and increase penalty for non-compliance. On the other hand, the Government will reform building rehabilitation strategies and provide brand-new support services for owners by establishing more stringent pre-qualification lists of consultants and contractors, and, for the first time, providing tendering and tender evaluation services for property owners in engaging consultants and contractors.

• Enhancing city governance and renewing aged infrastructures: The Government will replace or rehabilitate 350 kilometres of high-risk aged water pipes over the next five years, doubling the current annual average rate. Meanwhile, the Government will upgrade the water supply system by, among other measures, replacing and installing water pipe valves, laying backup cross-harbour water mains, adopting split water supply mode for the salt water supply system, establishing an intelligent water network and dynamically adjusting the water pressure in the government's water mains network. The Government will make good use of artificial intelligence (AI) to upgrade the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure and expand the deployment of the cross-departmental joint drone management platform with a view to improving city and emergency management and enhancing the management of public works through AI. Moreover, the Government has started to construct underground common utility tunnels under some major roads in NDAs to strengthen city resilience.

Members supported the Bureau's effort in creating land continuously, and agreed that there was a need to sustain land creation to support Hong Kong's economic and housing needs. Members also reminded the Government that, when releasing land and housing supply, market response, population growth and economic conditions should be carefully considered, with a view to ensuring a stable property market and paced land supply. Members supported to accelerate the development of the NM with enhanced effectiveness and quality through adopting diversified development models such as large-scale land disposal, Industry Park Company and "Pay for What You Build". Members agreed that the Government should continue to remove restrictions and streamline procedures, with a view to enhancing development efficiency through flexible planning, control on construction cost and application of advanced technology and construction techniques. Members recommended that small-scale development projects should be provided to enable the participation of small-and-medium sized developers in NM development. Members proposed that the Government might review the "Hong Kong 2030+: Towards a Planning Vision and Strategy Transcending 2030" when appropriate to reflect the latest development, and suggested that city design should be taken into account to ensure that the NM would be a livable community.

Photo source: reference image

In addition, Members supported the Government's proposal of expanding the scope of amendments to the Buildings Ordinance to strengthen regulation and providing support services for building maintenance, while reminding the Government to strike a balance between tightening regulatory control over the maintenance works and facilitating the public. Members suggested that the Government should provide reference prices for maintenance works to enable property owners to come up with more reasonable budgets, and suggested that the Government should explore with the Competition Commission measures to mitigate the risk of bid-rigging in building maintenance projects. Regarding city governance, Members welcomed the Development Bureau's plan to replace high-risk, aging water mains over the next five years and suggested leveraging AI to monitor and provide predictive warnings for flooding and hazardous slopes, etc., thereby addressing extreme weather and enhancing city resilience.

The Government will continue to solicit the views and feedback of stakeholders, including the industry and professional bodies, with a view to finalising the details of the proposed measures as soon as possible.

AFCD announces arrangements at ecotourism hotspots for National Day Golden Week of Mainland

In anticipation of a large number of visitors to Sai Kung East Country Park, Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland (October 1 to 7), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (September 30) announced the following preparation and deployment of management work at different ecotourism hotspots during the holiday period:

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Photo source: reference image

High Island Reservoir East Dam

In addition to deploying additional manpower to strengthen management of the East Dam area of High Island Reservoir, the AFCD will use drones equipped with broadcasting functions to conduct surveillance regularly from above the Po Pin Chau viewing platform and remind visitors not to cross the railings. The AFCD will disseminate visitor flow information for the East Dam area via the ''Enjoy Hiking" Information on Visitor Flow at East Dam of High Island Reservoir webpage to help visitors better plan their trips. Furthermore, the AFCD will continue to trial the online real-name reservation arrangement for the High Island Geo Trail-Po Pin Chau Section, and implement crowd management measures at the Po Pin Chau Section and the viewing platform. Reservations for October 1 to 5 are fully booked for the entire day, while limited quotas remain available for certain time slots on the remaining days. Please pay attention to the latest announcements by the AFCD.

The Po Pin Chau Section, Photo source: FB@AFCD

Campsites at Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan and Long Ke Wan in Sai Kung

The AFCD will deploy additional staff day and night to patrol, be stationed, enforce regulations against violations, and use CCTV systems to assist in monitoring the campsites. The AFCD staff on-site will enhance publicity on safe hiking, caring for the environment, animals and plants, maintaining cleanliness, and observing camping behaviour and etiquette. They will also strengthen cleaning and waste management efforts around campsites.

The AFCD will provide strainers for collecting food residues outside the Ham Tin public toilet and will, on a trial basis, lend small grill stands to campers in need at Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites to help maintain campsite cleanliness. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has installed an eco-smart toilet near the Ham Tin public toilet to provide additional cubicles and washing facilities, and will deploy toilet attendants to be on duty daily during holidays to enhance cleaning services.

Shui Hau on Lantau Island, Photo source: reference image

Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island

The AFCD will increase and deploy staff, and use drones to monitor conditions on the beach and along the coastal area. The department will also conduct joint patrols with the FEHD, the Marine Department and the Hong Kong Police Force to carry out publicity and education and maintain order; once frontline staff observe anyone attempting acts that may damage the ecology, such as damaging, disturbing, feeding or collecting marine organisms, or entering the water at coral locations—they will intervene immediately. The Government will also enhance cleaning of public places on the island.

In addition, the AFCD will collaborate with the WWF-Hong Kong to set up a public education booth at the pier of Sharp Island and the beach backshore to promote marine conservation messages and guidelines for appreciating nature. Snorkelling guides and kayaking guides will also patrol the nearshore waters to remind snorkelers to follow coral-friendly routes for entering and exiting the water to avoid accidentally trampling on corals.

The AFCD will monitor visitor flow at Shui Hau on Lantau Island, patrol the Shui Hau sandflat and work with the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong to organise public education activities, including setting up an educational booth, distributing conservation leaflets, and engaging visitors with information on how to protect horseshoe crabs and the surrounding coastal environment.

The Po Pin Chau Section, Photo source: FB@AFCD

Reminders on hiking safety and protecting the natural environment

The AFCD urges visitors to pay attention to hiking safety, follow outdoor etiquette and codes, and use only officially managed and maintained trails in country parks. Information boards and direction signs have been placed at appropriate locations in country parks, and warning signs have been erected near locations with dangerous terrains to remind visitors not to get close to dangerous areas to avoid accidents. Visitors should follow the signs and stay on official trails, and must not cross railings or stand close to cliff edges, coastal fringes, steep slopes and other dangerous locations. Visitors must prioritise their personal safety and should not take risks by using shortcuts or for the sake of taking photos or sightseeing.

Hikers should assess their physical capabilities, make adequate preparations before setting out and pay attention to weather conditions. They should wear appropriate clothing and prepare sufficient drinking water to prevent heatstroke, avoid hiking alone, and ensure that mobile phones are fully charged so that help can be sought by calling 999 or 112 in case of an emergency. For information on hiking safety and outdoor etiquette and codes, please visit the ''Enjoy Hiking" Hiking Information on Green Tourism webpage.

Country parks are valuable natural resources. Caring for the natural environment and keeping it clean are every visitor's responsibility. Visitors should practise "Take Your Litter Home" and hiking etiquette. Camping is permitted only at designated campsites, and fire can only be used at designated barbecue sites or campsites.

The AFCD particularly reminds visitors not to climb trees, disturb or harm wild animals and plants, or cause a nuisance to other visitors. According to the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), any person who fells, cuts, burns or otherwise destroys any trees in a forest or plantation without lawful authority or excuse shall commit an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year upon conviction.

The AFCD will strengthen patrols, publicity and education work at the above ecotourism hotspots during the holiday. Enforcement action will be taken immediately against any violations.

High Island Reservoir East Dam, Photo source: reference image