Policy Address

Land: Increasing Reserve and Regaining Control of Supply

Multi-pronged Approach to Enhance Quantity

68. To assume a leading role in land supply, the Government will identify more land to meet demand and build up the land reserve, including developable land from the new round of study on "Green Belt" zone and the consultancy study on Agricultural Priority Areas. There are approximately 16 000 hectares of "Green Belt" areas in Hong Kong, but over half of them are subject to clear development constraints, such as steep slopes and ecological sensitivity. Among the remaining 8 000 hectares, 1 200 hectares have been included in various development projects. In the new round of study, we have shortlisted about 255 hectares of "Green Belt" sites with potential for housing development, which can provide 70 000 units. The rezoning of the first batch of sites will commence by 2024. The Planning Department will complete the review of the development potential of all the remaining "Green Belt" areas next year.

69. We also strive to redevelop brownfield sites. There are currently 1 600 hectares of brownfield sites in the New Territories, and more than half of them will gradually be developed for housing and other uses. Take the Kwu Tung North/Fanling North NDA as an example. Brownfield sites with land clearance that began two years ago have completed site formation works this year for handover to the HKHA for public housing development. While speeding up the resumption of brownfield sites for development, the Government will cater to the needs of the affected, such as squatter occupants and brownfield operators. For example, we plan to make available land in Yuen Long and Hung Shui Kiu for development of multi-storey industrial buildings from next year, with lease conditions requiring a certain portion of floor area to be set aside for leasing to the affected brownfield operators below market rent.

70. In addition, we will put forward the development proposal for Tseung Kwan O (TKO) Area 137 this year. It is expected to provide 50 000 residential units with the first population intake in 2030 at the earliest.