Our Ref :
REAL/WKC/140Our Ref :
REAL/WKC/140
30 May 2000
Mr Gordon Siu
Secretary for Planning and Lands
Planing and Lands Bureau
10/F Murray Building
Garden Road
Hong Kong
Dear Gordon
Town Planning Bill
I write to express our disappointment at the decision by the Legislative Council not to proceed with the consideration of the Town Planning Bill in the current session.
Over the past few years the Chamber has been following the evolution of the Town Planning Bill from a business sector perspective. The provisions of the Bill have been examined in detail, especially by our Real Estate Services Committee. Whilst we have reservations on some aspects of the Bill - some of which have been communicated to the government in our earlier submissions - we have expressed and would once again like to convey our strong support for the Bill and its swift legislative passage.
As the Administration is well aware of, it has been almost ten years since the last Comprehensive Review of the Town Planning Ordinance. The Ordinance is in need of an updating to make it more relevant to today’s needs. Apart from responding to the community’s demand for more openness in planning, the Bill also provides more certainty for the business sector and hence facilitate the development process.
We urge the Administration to work together with the Legislative Council, when the latter reconvenes for the next session, to conclude the work on the White Bill, so as to benefit the development sector and the community. At the same time, we encourage the Administration to put into place some of the proposals relating to transparency and participation through administrative measures, in anticipation of the eventual passage of the legislation.
Yours sincerely
Nicholas Brooke
Chairman
Real Estate Services Committee
cc James Tien, HKGCC LegCo Rep.
Our Ref : REAL/WKC/140
30 May 2000
Mr James To
Convenor of Bills Committee, Town Planning Bill
Legislative Council Building
8 Jackson Road Central
Hong Kong
Dear Mr To
Town Planning Bill
I write to express our disappointment at the decision by the Legislative Council not to proceed with the consideration of the Town Planning Bill in the current session.
Over the past few years the Chamber has been following the evolution of the Town Planning Bill from a business sector perspective. The provisions of the Bill have been examined in detail, especially by our Real Estate Services Committee. Whilst we have reservations on some aspects of the Bill - some of which have been communicated to the government in our earlier submissions - we have expressed and would once again like to convey our strong support for the Bill and its swift legislative passage.
As the Administration is well aware of, it has been almost ten years since the last Comprehensive Review of the Town Planning Ordinance. The Ordinance is in need of an updating to make it more relevant to today’s needs. Apart from responding to the community’s demand for more openness in planning, the Bill also provides more certainty for the business sector and hence facilitate the development process.
We urge the Administration to work together with the Legislative Council, when the latter reconvenes for the next session, to conclude the work on the White Bill, so as to benefit the development sector and the community. At the same time, we encourage the Administration to put into place some of the proposals relating to transparency and participation through administrative measures, in anticipation of the eventual passage of the legislation.
Yours sincerely
Nicholas Brooke
Chairman
Real Estate Services Committee
cc James Tien, HKGCC LegCo Rep.