Policy Address
Enhance Transparency
72. To enhance transparency, the Steering Committee on Land and Housing Supply will formulate and regularly publish a 10-year forecast of supply of developable land. The first forecast will be released shortly. Similarly, the Task Force on Public Housing Projects will regularly publish a 10-year forecast of supply of public housing.
Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands
73. The Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands will expand the scope and capacity of Hong Kong's development and greatly enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness as a financial, commercial and trade centre. Given their close proximity to Lantau Island, the 1 000-hectare Artificial Islands have good linkage with the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and are well-positioned to tap economic opportunities from overseas and the GBA. To optimise Hong Kong's overall transport network, new rail links and a road transport network will be constructed to connect with Hong Kong Island West, Lantau Island and Northwest New Territories; a fourth cross-harbour tunnel will also be built.
74. The Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands have three major planning objectives:
prosperity and diversity – They will support the development of the third central business district to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre. We will also reserve land outside the central business district for emerging industries to provide diversified opportunities for young people;
green and liveable – Based on the recommendations of the Hong Kong 2030+, we will enhance accommodation and living space by increasing the average flat size of public and private housing by a range of 10% to 20% as the assumption when planning land development, as well as raising the ratios of land for open space and land for community facilities to population to no less than 3.5 square metres per person; and
forward-looking and innovative – We will fully implement the strategy of a smart, green and resilient city by formulating measures in urban design, infrastructure and mobility to reduce everyday energy demand; we will also reduce carbon emissions through the adoption of green energy and advanced food waste treatment technology.
75. We will put forth proposals on the scope of reclamation, land use, transport infrastructure network and financing options regarding the Artificial Islands within this year. Our target is to commence the EIA process next year and kick-start the reclamation works in 2025.