"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/).

     A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (June 17) that the operating hours for fresh produce imported via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) will be extended with effect from July 1 (Monday) to further facilitate the trade and supply of fresh food.

     Having discussed with Mainland authorities and the trade, the CFS decided to extend the operating hours from the existing eight hours to 16 hours (i.e. from 1pm to 5am the next day) for fresh produce to be imported through the HZMB into Hong Kong, with effect from July 1. Vehicles carrying frozen and chilled poultry, meat and game, eggs, milk, fresh aquatic products, vegetables and fruits by land from the Mainland may choose to enter Hong Kong via the HZMB during the abovementioned period for inspection by CFS staff.

     The inspection procedures by the CFS at the Hong Kong Port of the HZMB will be similar to those for vehicles importing fresh produce via the Man Kam To Boundary Control Point, including examining details of import documents, conducting physical inspections and sampling of fresh food for testing.

     The spokesman stressed that the operating hours and arrangements of goods vehicles carrying fresh produce and live food animals entering Hong Kong via the Man Kam To Boundary Control Point have not changed.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
 
     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 17) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department, the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index of Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan District is 4, which means the water quality is "Very Poor". The red flag has been hoisted and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

     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.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 17) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.