The Government published in the Gazette today (October 26) the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulation 2018 to adjust eight fees and three economic costs payable as specified under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations (Cap 28A).
The adjustments cover the following categories:
(a) fees relating to excavation permits (XP) for excavations in unleased Government land including streets maintained by Highways Department and those other than streets maintained by Highways Department ; and
(b) economic costs for extension of XP for excavations in streets maintained by the Highways Department.
A spokesman for the Development Bureau said, "In line with the 'user-pays' principle, it is the Government's policy that fees and charges should in general be set at levels sufficient to recover the full cost of providing the services.
"In order to achieve full cost recovery gradually and avoid a steep fee increase, eight existing fees relating to administration of the XP system will be increased by about 10 per cent to 15 per cent. In addition, three economic costs for extension of XP for excavations in streets maintained by the Highways Department will be increased by about 8 per cent to maintain sufficient incentive for the excavation permittees to complete their works as soon as possible."
The Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 31. Subject to approval by negative vetting, the revised fees and economic costs will come into effect on December 28 this year.
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