The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Causeway Bay Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment in the Causeway Bay area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (January 18).

     The planning scheme area, covering an area of about 96.43 hectares, is bounded by Gloucester Road in the north, Wun Sha Street and Tai Hang Road in the east, So Kon Po in the south and the Hong Kong Stadium and Percival Street in the west. The area includes the commercial/residential developments to the west of Victoria Park and the So Kon Po and Tai Hang areas. The developments in So Kon Po are mainly for recreation and government, institution or community (GIC) uses whilst Tai Hang is mainly a residential area.

     About 10.46 hectares of land bounded by Gloucester Road to the north and east, Percival Street to the west and Leighton Road to the southeast are zoned "Commercial". This zone is intended primarily for commercial developments.

     About 3.21 hectares of land bounded by Tung Lo Wan Road, Wun Sha Street and Tai Hang Road are zoned "Residential (Group A)". This zone is intended primarily for high-density residential developments.

     About 5.22 hectares of land covering Fontana Gardens and the area in the vicinity of Tai Hang Road and Tai Hang Drive are zoned "Residential (Group B)". This zone is intended primarily for medium-density residential developments.
      
     About 3.84 hectares of land covering the two residential areas around Fuk Kwan Avenue, Li Kwan Avenue and Yik Kwan Avenue in Tai Hang, as well as another area along Tai Hang Road, are zoned "Residential (Group C)".

     About 15.64 hectares of land are zoned "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") for the provision of GIC facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. Existing facilities include St Paul's Hospital, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong Stadium, the bus terminus at Tung Lo Wan Road, schools, markets and public utility installations. A site at the junction of Victoria Park Road and Gloucester Road is designated as "G/IC(1)". Under this zoning, development of any government refuse collection point would require planning permission from the Board.

     About 5.51 hectares of land are zoned "Open Space". The hill slopes to the west of Tai Hang Road covering 21.37 hectares are zoned "Green Belt".

     About 10.71 hectares of land are zoned "Other Specified Uses". They cover, among others, Hong Kong Central Library at Moreton Terrace, the Chinese Recreation Club, the Indian Recreation Club and the Tiger Balm Garden site.

     The approved Causeway Bay OZP No. S/H6/17 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin, the Hong Kong District Planning Office and the Wan Chai Home Affairs Enquiry Centre.

     Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, January 18, 2019 is 103.7 (up 0.1 against yesterday'sindex).

      The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, and the Vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, Mr Yang Wanming, signed an arrangement on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments (REJ) in civil and commercial matters in Beijing today (January 18).
      
     The Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters between the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Arrangement) seeks to establish a bilateral legal mechanism with greater clarity and certainty for REJ in civil and commercial matters between the two places.
      
     Hong Kong has by now concluded six arrangements with the Mainland concerning various aspects of mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. Among them, the Arrangement is the third one providing for REJ between the two places in civil and commercial matters. 
      
     By establishing a more comprehensive mechanism for REJ with the Mainland in civil and commercial matters, the Arrangement will reduce the need for re-litigation of the same disputes in both places and offer better protection to the parties' interests. The Arrangement, apart from furthering legal co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in civil and commercial matters, will enhance Hong Kong's status as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.
      
     The Arrangement applies to matters considered to be of a "civil and commercial" nature under both Hong Kong and Mainland law. Non-judicial proceedings and judicial proceedings relating to administrative or regulatory matters are excluded. The Arrangement covers both monetary and non-monetary relief. It also sets out jurisdictional grounds for the purposes of recognition and enforcement as well as grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement.
      
     The Arrangement will be implemented by local legislation in Hong Kong. It will take effect after both places have completed the necessary procedures to enable implementation and will apply to judgments made on or after the commencement date. 

      

     â€‹Building works contractors of the Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex in Kwun Tong, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, Zhen Hua Engineering Company Limited and Ming Suen Construction Company Limited, illegally carried out works on holidays. They were convicted by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (January 18) and on November 29 last year for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) and were fined a total of $31,000.
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a member of the public last April about noise nuisance generated on Sundays by the Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex construction site, which is located at 4 Fuk Tong Road in Kwun Tong. Upon investigation by EPD staff, it was confirmed that the construction site concerned carried out hammering and handling of scaffolding materials on holidays and the contractors had not obtained any construction noise permit (CNP) prior to the commencement of works. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the main contractor (a joint venture of China Harbour Engineering Company Limited and Zhen Hua Engineering Company Limited) and the sub-contractor, Ming Suen Construction Company Limited. The EPD also contacted the Social Welfare Department to assist in following up on the case and ensure that construction works are carried out in accordance with the statutory requirements.
      
     The EPD spokesman stressed that members of the construction industry should carry out works during daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible, and they should supervise the works to minimise noise disturbance to nearby residents. If the works procedures have to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), a permit must be obtained from the EPD. The construction works shall commence only when the CNP has been granted upon completion of assessment to support its compliance with regulatory requirements. Noise mitigation measures should also be implemented for the construction works as stipulated by the CNP. For construction works that violate the NCO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (January 18) that services for the disposal of the dead will be suspended on Lunar New Year's Day (February 5).
 
     An FEHD spokesman said, "All cemeteries and crematoria offices of the department will be closed on Lunar New Year's Day. No coffins will be accepted for burial at public cemeteries and no cremations will be undertaken at public crematoria.
 
     "Cremation services and burial services will resume normal operation on February 6."