Hong Kong 2006 - Land, Public Works and Utilities

The development of new towns in the New Territories continued in 2006. The completion of some railway lines had provided convenient mass-transit connections between the new towns and the urban areas. Extensive landscape works continued during the year in conjunction with new developments, providing green surroundings for new neighbourhoods. About 2.26 million trees and shrubs were planted in 2006.

Tsuen Wan new town comprises Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island and occupies a total development area of 3 285 hectares for a projected population of 857 400.

Tsuen Wan used to be an industrial area. Although most of the factories there have moved to the Mainland, parts of the district have retained their looks as industrial centres. The new town accommodates nine container terminals at Kwai Tsing, the latest of which was completed in 2005.

Major highway projects are being constructed to further extend and reinforce the main road network to cater for the increased traffic in the area. Construction of part of Route 8 between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan, and the remaining section of Route 9 between Shek Wai Kok and Chai Wan Kok is going on and is expected to be completed in 2009 and early 2007 respectively.

Sha Tin new town contains Sha Tin and Ma On Shan and covers a total development area of 3 591 hectares for a projected population of 735 000.

The new town has a well-established external transport system and network of roads and tunnels comprising the Kowloon-Canton Railway, Ma On Shan Rail, Lion Rock Tunnel, Tai Po Road, Tolo Highway, Sai Sha Road, Shing Mun Tunnel and Tate's Cairn Tunnel.

The road links to and from Sha Tin are being expanded. Route 8, which includes Sha Tin Heights Tunnel and Eagle Nest Tunnel, will link Sha Tin with Cheung Sha Wan and also connect to Trunk Road T3. All works are scheduled for completion in end 2007.

Tuen Mun new town is built mainly on land reclaimed from Castle Peak Bay and platforms in the valley between Castle Peak and the Tai Lam Hills. It covers a development area of 2 253 hectares for a projected population of 595 000.

Hong Kong's River Trade Terminal was built on reclaimed land in the southwestern part of the new town and operates as a transit point for containers and bulk cargo shipped between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta ports. The adjacent reclamation is used for special industries with Lung Fu Road (Foothill Bypass) serving the developments there.

The new town is served by a good road network which includes Tuen Mun Road, Castle Peak Road and Yuen Long Highway. Rail links include the West Rail and the Light Rail.

Tai Po has grown from a small market town to a new town covering a development area of 2 897 hectares for a projected population of 316 980.

The Pak Shek Kok development, which occupies an area of 118 hectares north of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, includes the Science Park, housing and strategic recreational uses, and additional space for tertiary education facilities. Reclamation has been completed. Construction of Science Park Phase II is scheduled for completion at the end of 2007. The projected working population is about 23 900.

The new town has a well-established external transport system and network of roads consisting of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, Tolo Highway, Fanling Highway, Tai Po Road and Lam Kam Road.

Fanling and Sheung Shui are former traditional market towns which have become a single new town covering a development area of 768 hectares for a projected population of 290 870.

Fanling and Sheung Shui are served by the East Rail and external road links to adjacent districts and beyond, including Fanling Highway, Fan Kam Road, Man Kam To Road and Sha Tau Kok Road.

Major flood control projects for the River Indus have been completed.

Yuen Long new town covers a development area of 561 hectares for a projected population of 195 000.

The new town is served by the West Rail, the Light Rail and a good trunk road network, including Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long Highway and Tsing Long Highway. Construction of a new road network was completed in end-2006 to cope with the development needs in the southern part of the town.

The threat of floods in Yuen Long has been reduced substantially following completion in 2006 of most of the main drainage projects there.

Tseung Kwan O new town occupies a development area of 1 727 hectares for a projected population of 450 000.

The new town is served by the MTR Tseung Kwan O extension and has a well-established road network comprising the Tsueng Kwan O Tunnel, Po Lam Road and Clear Water Bay Road. The tunnel connecting Tseung Kwan O and Lam Tin is in the planning stage.

The Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate is in the southeastern part of the new town. About 86 hectares of land have been formed there for the setting up of high-technology industries or industries requiring a large area. The new development area of Tseung Kwan O will include the Town Centre South reclamation, Pak Shing Kok and Area 86. Town Centre South will be provided with extensive park and recreational facilities along the waterfront while Pak Shing Kok will become a low density residential area. Area 86 is a comprehensive development area and will house some 50 000 people. Supporting infrastructure for the town is being built.

Tin Shui Wai new town covers a development area of 430 hectares in Deep Bay for a projected population of 306 400.

West Rail, Light Rail and the trunk road network of Castle Peak Road and Yuen Long Highway provide good connections to Yuen Long and Tuen Mun and to the urban areas beyond.

Tung Chung new town is being developed in phases. Reclamation, land formation and most of the residential developments under Phases 1, 2 and 3A of Tung Chung new town, occupying about 260 hectares of land, have been completed. A feasibility study for the remaining phases 3 and 4, which will involve about 290 hectares of land, will commence in 2007.

Tung Chung new town has a population of more than 60 000. Further development of Tung Chung is being planned with a view to accommodating a population of about 220 000.

The Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal is located at the centre of Tung Chung and is close to the Tung Chung MTR station. The cable car system, now named Ngong Ping 360, commenced operation in late 2006. A feasibility study is being carried out on the development of a modern logistics park at Siu Ho Wan, near Tung Chung, and on the future development of the island. A few key development themes and proposals were released for public consultation between November 2004 and February 2005. The response has been positive and a report summarising the public comments and the Government's responses to them was published in November 2005. The concept plan will be revised where appropriate to take into account public comments.

A concept plan for Lantau has been drawn up by the Lantau Development Task Force to provide a clear and balanced planning framework for the future development of the island. A few key development themes and proposals were released for public consultation between November 2004 and February 2005. The response has been positive and a report summarising the public comments and the Government's responses was published in November 2005. The concept plan will be revised where appropriate to take into account public views.