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Author Archives: hksar gov

Invitation for expressions of interest for development at Sandy Ridge in North District for innovation and technology and related purposes

     “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” proposed a change in the use of a site at Sandy Ridge in North District for innovation and technology (I&T) and related purposes. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) invite expressions of interest (EOI) for the development at Sandy Ridge for I&T and related purposes today (June 17).

     Sandy Ridge is located in the Northern Metropolis, near Lo Wu. Taking into account the location of the site, infrastructure planning, commercial, transport and community facilities in the vicinity, as well as the industry’s keen demand for digital infrastructure facilities, the Government is of the initial view that it is worth exploring the feasibility of developing this “spade-ready site” (and its nearby land with development potential) into a data park for data centres and related industries.

     The deadline for submission of the EOI is noon on July 31, 2024 (Wednesday). The ITIB and the OGCIO together with the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office of the Development Bureau as well as the Civil Engineering and Development Department will hold a briefing session on the invitation for EOI on June 27, 2024 (Thursday). Interested companies and industry bodies are welcome to register for the session. Details have been uploaded to the relevant webpage (www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/our_work/business/data_centre/). read more

Two co-owners fined over $37,000 in total for failing to comply with fire safety direction

     Two co-owners were convicted and each fined $18,530 at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on May 28 for failing to comply with a fire safety direction issued under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (FS(B)O) (Cap. 572).
      
     The Buildings Department (BD) issued a fire safety direction under section 5(2)(a)(ii) of the FS(B)O to two co-owners of a domestic flat in a 54-year-old composite building in Tai Po, requiring the owners to comply with fire safety construction requirements by providing a fire-rated door and removing the metal gate at the unit entrance, which opens directly to a staircase.
      
     Failing to comply with the statutory direction, the two owners were prosecuted by the BD and were convicted and fined by the courts.
      
     “According to the FS(B)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner”, a spokesman for the BD said today (June 17).
      
     Pursuant to section 5(8) of the FS(B)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to the court for a Fire Safety Compliance Order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(B)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction. read more