WK Lo's LegCo Express

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Visited core infrastructure facilities in Kowloon East

 

With some other LegCo members, I visited the core infrastructure facilities in Kowloon East on 23 September to learn more about the region’s development. I first visited the Quayside, a commercial complex, to get a bird’s eye view of the business area in Kowloon Bay. I then visited Tencent WeStart, noting that the platform provides local and overseas digital content creators with co-working space and support services, intending to help them to explore overseas markets or facilitating access to the Mainland market. Members later headed to Kai Tak Promenade to receive an update on the opening of various sections of the 11-kilometer-long promenade. Before concluding the itinerary, we visited Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong’s largest sports infrastructure, which was set to open in the first half of 2025.

 

Self Photos / Files - Legco News_202409251

 

Visited “A Square” community-led transitional housing project in Stanley

 

Together with the Secretary for Housing and some other LegCo members, I visited “A Square” on 20 Sep. This is a transitional housing project in Stanley operated by the Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association and subsidized by the Housing Department. The project converted a three-story former non-residential school building into 40 transitional housing units, providing a relief option for those awaiting public housing allocation. A range of ancillary services are provided to support residents on all fronts as they adapt to the new environment and plan their new page of life.

 

Self Photos / Files - Legco News_20240925 2

 

Participated in the community event “Embrace to Enrich Lives”

 

On 22 September, I was invited to join the “Embrace to Enrich Lives” community event at Tai Po. This is a community improvement project, which includes the addition of convenient facilities such as escalators, the reconstruction of the basketball court, and the introduction of smart elements like an intelligent gym. By leveraging technology, residents are provided with a more diverse and enriched experience in “dining, shopping, education, exercise, and entertainment.” It also aligns with the Housing Bureau’s concept of the “Well • Being” programme, with the focus of “enhancing quality” placed on providing better public space, facilities and estate environment, and enhancing the sense of well-being of residents.

 

Self Photos / Files - Legco News_20240925 3

 

Completion of flight check of Centre Runway paves way for three-runway operation

 

Following the commissioning of the North Runway in November 2022, the Centre Runway has been temporarily closed for reconfiguration as part of the Three-runway System (3RS) development. The flight check, which commenced in August 2024, was completed, marking a key milestone of readiness for the three-runway operation. The 3RS will provide capacity to meet the long-term air traffic demand of 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo forecast for 2035, consolidating Hong Kong’s position as the leading aviation hub in the region.

 

Self Photos / Files - Legco News_20240925 4

 

Subcommittee to study the effectiveness, costs and management of public works projects

 

At the Subcommittee meeting to study the effectiveness, costs and management of public works on 24 Sep, I pointed out that Hong Kong’s construction costs have long been among the highest in the world. The main reasons include the ageing of construction workers, low productivity, risk premium due to procurement approach, high design standards and requirements and lengthy approval process. I urged the Government to review existing procurement approaches, consultancy studies, technology applications, approval procedure and workflow, etc., and to work out the appropriate measures and their detailed way forward.

 

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