Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹Two co-owners who persistently failed to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123) were convicted and fined over $90,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts last week. 

     The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 40 square metres on the roof of a composite building on Argyle Street. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owners under section 24(1) of the BO.

     Failing to comply with the removal order, the two owners were prosecuted by the BD and were fined over $15,000 in total upon conviction by the Court. As the two owners persisted in not complying with the removal order, the BD instigated prosecution again. The two owners were fined $91,400 in total by the Court, of which $79,400 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on December 17.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (December 24), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement actions and consider instigating prosecution against owners again if they persist in not complying with the orders to ensure building safety.”

     Failing to comply with a removal order without a reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2025 which will be held at the Victoria Park Tennis Centre Court from December 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
      
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (December 24) “The Hong Kong Tennis Open is an ATP250 event much anticipated. There will be players ranked the World’s top 20 competing in Hong Kong, attracting thousands of tennis fans striving to witness the talents of these world-class players. We believe that this competition will promote the development of mega event economy and further solidify Hong Kong’s reputation as the events capital.”
      
     The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local “national sports associations” and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
      
     For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk. read more

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley on December 26 (Thursday). The arrangements will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

1. Road closure

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.

     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site. 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 toda… read more

     The Acting Director of Drainage Services, Mr Robin Lee, was highly concerned about the work accident happened in a temporary material storage area in Sheung Shui Heung today (December 23). He was deeply saddened that a worker of a construction material transportation company, aged about 72, sustained injuries when moving materials and subsequently passed away. He expressed deepest condolences to the deceased’s family and instructed the project team to seriously follow up on the cause of the incident, carry out a comprehensive review on the safe working procedures and measures, and offer appropriate assistance to the deceased’s family.
      
     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is rendering full assistance to the investigations by the Labour Department and the Police. The DSD attaches great importance to work safety and has required contractors and materials suppliers to strictly comply with relevant safety guidelines. After the incident, the relevant work processes have been suspended until the DSD confirms that the contractor and the materials supplier have implemented necessary safety measures. The DSD has also urged the project team to carry out a comprehensive review on work safety and implement appropriate improvement measures to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents. read more