Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Development Bureau today launched a two-month public consultation on legislative proposals to accelerate the Northern Metropolis (NM) development.
The bureau earlier issued a Legislative Council paper proposing dedicated legislation to streamline planning and land procedures, expedite construction works and facilitate industry operations within the NM.
The proposed legal framework consists of a primary ordinance supported by subsidiary legislation. It suggests granting the Chief Executive in Council the power to enact regulations across six specified areas, as needed.
The six proposed areas for subsidiary legislation include: (i) streamlining town planning procedures; (ii) expediting compensation for resumed land; (iii) adopting innovative construction technology; (iv) simplifying construction noise permit applications; (v) regulating cross-boundary flows of resources; and (vi) establishing statutory corporations for designated areas.
The Government aims to introduce the primary bill to LegCo by mid-2026, alongside a draft of the first batch of subsidiary legislation for preview.
The bureau will strive to secure passage of the primary legislation within this year. Once passed, the first batch of subsidiary legislation will be formally submitted to LegCo for vetting.
The public and all community sectors are welcome to provide comments on the proposed dedicated legislation via email or post on or before May 22.