Government announces quarterly land sale programme for October to December 2026
The Government announced today (October 15) the quarterly land sale programme for the third quarter of 2026-27, i.e. October to December 2026.
The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said the Government will put up for tender a site at the Junction of Tai Chung Kiu Road and On Sum Street, Shek Mun, Shatin, for private residential development in the third quarter of the 2026-27 financial year. The site has a floor space of around 48 090 square metres and can provide around 960 flats. The site is situated in a mature residential neighbourhood and in close proximity to Shek Mun MTR Station, with comprehensive surrounding infrastructure and traffic network. Originally zoned for commercial use, the site is selected from the Annual Land Sale List announced in February this year and has obtained planning approval from the Town Planning Board for private residential development. The prospective developer shall set aside some floor space for the provision of a public vehicle park on site which can be exempted from gross floor area calculations according to the policy announced last year.
Apart from government land sale, other sources of private housing supply in this quarter include the Urban Renewal Authority's To Kwa Wan Road project, which is estimated to provide around 1 050 flats. As for private development and redevelopment projects, seven projects are expected to complete the lease modification or land exchange procedures in the third quarter, providing a total supply of around 1 835 flats, demonstrating developers' optimistic attitude towards market prospects.
In addition, the Development Bureau had invited the market to submit expressions of interest for student hostel development at three commercial sites in Kai Tak, Siu Lek Yuen (Shatin) and Tung Chung East in January 2026, and received a positive response. The Development Bureau plans to put up for tender the Siu Lek Yuen (Shatin) site in this quarter, which is estimated to provide around 600 beds. The site is situated in close proximity to City One MTR Station and Shek Mun MTR Station, as well as nearby post-secondary institutions. Having regard to the tender result of the Siu Lek Yuen (Shatin) site, the Government will consider the way forward on the other two sites.
"Taking all of the above sources of land supply into account, the total private housing land supply in the third quarter of this financial year would support the development of around 3 845 units. Together with the supply from the first two quarters of this financial year, the total private housing land supply in the first three quarters of this financial year is expected to support some 15680 units, which has already exceeded our annual target of private housing supply, i.e. 12600 units," Ms Linn said.
Ms Linn continued, "Although the target has already been met, we will continue to roll out land to the market in the third quarter based on three considerations: (1) the annual supply target is not a rigid indicator, the Government has all along evaluated the pace and trend of market supply in its totality from a macro perspective; (2) some development projects co-ordinated by the Government (e.g. the Northern Metropolis, railway property development and urban renewal projects) have their own specific timeframes in meeting the Government's policy needs and the holistic development of their respective areas; and (3) with the generally positive market sentiment, there is sufficient demand and capacity for developers to take on mature urban land. The Government will continue to assess the circumstances and roll out land flexibly according to policy needs and market conditions."
The site to be tendered from October to December 2026 is in the Annex. The actual tender timetable will be drawn up taking into account the progress of necessary preparatory work. The Lands Department will announce the detailed land sale arrangements before individual sites are put up for tender.
Source: AI-found images
EMSD's inspections reveal serious deficiencies in lift replacement works undertaken by registered lift contractor at two estates
In response to the recent allegations of non-compliance by Taizoom Elevator Company (HK) Limited (Taizoom), the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) takes the matter seriously and conducted surprise inspections on the lift works concerned. The inspections revealed serious deficiencies in lift replacement works carried out by Taizoom at two Tenants Purchase Scheme Estates, involving 9 lifts at Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong, of which the replacement was completed between February and July 2026, and 39 lifts at Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin, of which the replacement was completed between May 2025 and July 2026. Regarding the fire resisting doorsets, including door frame components, although a fire resisting rating certificate was submitted, it was found that only the fire resisting doors were installed as required, but the corresponding door frame components were not installed, and the lift works were claimed to be completed.
The absence of these door frame components in the lifts concerned is a non-compliance, but the lifts can still operate safely. The EMSD has instructed Taizoom to review the lifts at the aforementioned estates and install the outstanding door frame components promptly, and bear all associated costs for the remedial measures. The repair works will commence shortly and are expected to be completed within a month. The EMSD will proactively contact the property management companies of the concerned estates to provide necessary assistance. The lifts will need to be suspended from operation during the installation of new door frames. The works will be scheduled during non-peak hours as far as possible, and it is anticipated that the installation for each lift will take around one to two days to complete. During the installation period, the EMSD will closely monitor the installation works and maintain close contact with the relevant property management companies. The EMSD will also urge Taizoom to ensure that all lift lobbies and building passages are free from obstruction during the installation works, implement appropriate fire safety measures, and minimise the impact on residents.
As preliminary evidence indicates that Taizoom is suspected of serious negligence or misconduct in carrying out lift works, the EMSD will take enforcement and regulatory actions in accordance with the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance.
Under the circumstances, the EMSD does not rule out the possibility of committing criminal offences involving fraud and the provision of false statements, and will refer the case to the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation.
The EMSD will complete the inspection of all lifts installed by Taizoom throughout the territory within three days. The inspection includes re-examining the fire resisting rating certificates of fire resisting doorsets including their frame components, as well as checking if any door frame components are missing.
The EMSD has also commenced inspections of lift engineering works undertaken by other registered lift contractors, and no similar breaches have been found so far. As a precautionary measure, the EMSD will require other registered lift contractors to conduct similar inspections on the lifts they have installed and submit inspection reports to the EMSD. The EMSD will also conduct random checks, and all related work is expected to be completed within a month.
The EMSD has commenced a comprehensive review, encompassing the installation of new equipment and lift modernisation, inspection and maintenance works, evaluation of site supervision system, as well as the registration, regulation, and approval systems under the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance. Furthermore, the EMSD will enhance its inspections and spot checks on all lifts to improve overall works quality, with the review expected to be completed within the year. If any issues with lift engineering quality or deficiencies in the site supervision and inspection system are identified, immediate follow-up and improvement actions will be taken, along with strengthened inspections and audits of lifts.
Source: AI-found images
