Press Release

Housing Society Appoints Consultant to Conduct Development
Feasibility Study on the Periphery of Country Parks

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) announced today (27 April) the appointment of SMEC Asia Ltd as the consultant to study the feasibility of developing two areas on the periphery of country parks for purposes other than real estate development such as public housing and non-profit-making elderly homes.

HKHS was invited by the Government in May last year to undertake a feasibility study on housing development at two sites located on the periphery of country parks in Tai Lam, Yuen Long, and Shui Chuen O, Sha Tin, respectively. The selection of consultant for the study, which started in last August, adopted a three-step process namely Expression of Interest, Pre-qualification Selection and Tender Invitation.

The selection panel of HKHS was assisted by external advisors, who gave advice on the scope, methodology and parameters on the ecological study as well as assessing the technical proposals with respect to the ecological aspect.

The appointed consultant is required to submit an inception report in three months to confirm the study approaches and methodologies, and the public engagement plans. The study will be conducted by two phases. The first phase is the Baseline Studies encompassing an ecological assessment (covering both wet and dry seasons) and development feasibility study, which together are expected to be completed in about 14 months. If the results of the Baseline Studies reveal favourable conditions for housing development, the Detailed Studies would follow. The Detailed Studies will take another 12 months to complete.

HKHS Chief Executive Officer Wong Kit-loong said, "HKHS has not held any position on the issue of developing the periphery of country parks for housing purpose. The report of the study upon completion will be submitted to the Government for consideration, which shall provide objective information for discussion by the community in the future. As a close partner of the Government and playing the role of 'housing laboratory', HKHS has all along been striving to pursue various housing initiatives to assist in meeting the housing needs of the Hong Kong people."