Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (July 19) that six new estate kindergarten premises would be open for application by eligible applicant bodies under the Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2024. Details of the six kindergarten premises are set out in the Annex.

     “The six new estate kindergarten premises, each providing six to nine classrooms, are located in Kwun Tong District, Yuen Long District, North District, Sha Tin District and Islands District, and will be available between 2025 and 2026. The EDB is entrusted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority to nominate operators for the kindergarten premises. The Exercise will be carried out on a competitive basis,” a spokesman for the EDB said.

     Since the implementation of the Kindergarten Education Scheme in the 2017/18 school year, apart from continuing to help kindergartens improve the environment of their premises, the EDB endeavours to provide more kindergarten premises owned by the Government for eligible applicant bodies to compete fairly for reprovisioning or operating kindergartens, which not only enables a reduction in rental expenses but also allows them to enjoy quality school premises. In addition, the EDB has adopted a streamlined mechanism starting from 2021 for assessing applications for nomination of suitable operators for kindergarten premises to reduce applicant bodies’ administrative work.

     Non-profit-making kindergartens, especially those bearing high rental expenses, having dilapidated school environments and facilities, and facing a surplus of kindergarten places in the district, are encouraged to apply for the above-mentioned kindergarten premises. The EDB will accord priority to kindergartens under the Scheme applying for relocation. Applications for operating new kindergartens will only be considered if no suitable applicants are found for relocation. Quality of education is the prime consideration. The EDB will take into account the operation plan, track record of school operation and relocation needs (if applicable) of the applicant bodies. The applicant body should be exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. 

     The application form, information on the operation plan, points to note and other reference materials for the Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise can be downloaded from the EDB’s homepage at www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/preprimary-kindergarten/allocation-of-kg/latest-news.html. The EDB will provide a template for preparation of the operation plan and set out the selection criteria in the “Points to Note” for applicant bodies’ reference. Applicant bodies should carefully read the basic requirements and relevant instructions as stipulated in the “Points to Note” before submitting applications.

     The duly completed application form, information on the operation plan, list of operating schools run by the applicant body (if any) and supporting documents should reach the EDB Kindergarten Education Division (Room 1432, 14/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong) by 5pm on September 19. Late applications or those not duly completed will not be processed.  For enquiries, please contact EDB staff at 2892 5986. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 19) reminded members of the public that, to facilitate the drone show to be held near Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui East at 7.30pm tomorrow (July 20), the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in Tsim Sha Tsui.
 
Road closures
—————-
 
     In connection with the holding of the drone show that evening, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases on roads in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, including Salisbury Road, Mody Road, Haiphong Road, and parts of Chatham Road South, Nathan Road and Kowloon Park Drive from around 5.30pm until crowds disperse and roads are reopened.
 
Public transport services arrangements
———————————————-
 
     MTR lines including Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand.
 
     In connection with the road closure arrangements (including suspension of Star Ferry Bus Terminus and Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus), a total of 48 bus and five green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus stops and GMB stands located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated.
 
     Taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, on-street parking spaces and private car parks on the affected roads in Tsim Sha Tsui will be temporarily suspended during the road closure period.
 
     The short-working route of water taxi ferry service will be suspended from 12.30pm onwards.
 
     For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), its mobile application “HKeMobility” or refer to the passenger notices issued by the relevant public transport operators.
 
     Due to road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic along the concerned areas will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
 
     The TD appeals to members of the public to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements, subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or “HKeMobility”. read more

     The Government gazetted today (July 19) the proposed road works on Basel Road in Shau Kei Wan to facilitate the public housing development on A Kung Ngam Road.
      
     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:
 
Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
     
Eastern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Eastern Law Courts Building,
29 Tai On Street, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong
 
District Lands Office, Hong Kong East,
19/F, Southorn Centre,
130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
 
     The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.
 
     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

 
     A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than September 17, 2024. read more

     The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (July 19) that a total of four pieces of government land in Tuen Mun and North District will be let by way of short-term tenancy through tender to eligible brownfield operators affected by the land resumption and clearance exercises before or within the third quarter of 2027 under relevant government development projects.

     Brownfield operators, which were invited to participate in previous relevant tenders for a short-term tenancy for two or more times after the completion of clearance exercises of relevant government development projects, would be excluded from this tender.

     The tender commences today and will close on August 20. Details of the four pieces of land and the list of relevant government development projects involved are described in a Government Notice gazetted today.

     Under the prevailing arrangements, business operators affected by government development projects will be offered statutory compensation in accordance with the law, or ex-gratia allowances as an alternative, subject to fulfilment of relevant eligibility criteria. 

     A spokesperson for the LandsD said that in order to facilitate brownfield operators’ relocation of businesses or operations, and to optimise the utilisation of land resources, the department has been identifying suitable vacant sites on government land to let through tender by way of a short-term tenancy.

     The four pieces of land to be let through tender are suitable for a range of uses including industrial use, open storage, godown, workshop, recovery and recycling or reprocessing business and fee-paying public carpark. 

     The spokesperson stressed that the LandsD will continue to identify vacant sites suitable for use by those brownfield operators required to be displaced, and these sites will be let through tender by way of a short-term tenancy. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 19) that due… read more