Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ2: Existing fishermen villages

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Following is a question by the Hon Wong Yung-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao (in the absence of the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food), in the Legislative Council today (March 22):

Question:

The Government has granted a number of lands in the New Territories as the sites for fishermen to build houses and live as a community (fishermen villages). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the existing number of fishermen villages and the location of each village, the reasons for building the village, the year of its completion and its present population;

(b) of the number of buildings in each of the fishermen villages, the average size of such buildings, and the ownership of the lands on which such villages are located;

(c) of the maintenance projects undertaken by the Government in various fishermen villages in the past five years, and the total expenditure incurred in this regard; and

(d) whether rehousing assistance will be offered to villagers in fishermen villages whose houses are in a dilapidated state or have collapsed?

Reply:

Madam President:

(a) & (b) Details about existing fishermen villages on our records are set out in Annex.

(c) Under the Rural Public Works (RPW) Programme, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) has conducted seven improvement projects relating to four fishermen villages between 2001 to 2005, namely Tsing Yi Fishermen's New Village, Ma Wan Fishermen's Village, Tap Mun Fishermen's New Village and Luen Yick Fishermen Village. The expenditure involved was about $2 million. The RPW relating to the concerned fishermen villages included mainly improvements of the accesses (e.g. footpath, handrails, paving) to these villages. Furthermore, the Government has regularly maintained the ancillary common facilities within the various fishermen villages when necessary. However, we do not keep separate records in detail about the maintenance works carried out in relation to fishermen villages.

(d) It has been the long-standing policy of the Government not to let anyone homeless because of natural disaster or acts of the Government. The Housing Department would arrange temporary shelter for people who become homeless because of clearance, natural disasters and emergencies. For parties who are eligible for rehousing, they could be arranged to move into public housing. For families who do not meet the eligibility criteria, they may be considered for rehousing in Interim Housing units to solve their short term housing need. The above arrangement is also applicable to residents who become homeless as a result of dilapidation of their fishermen villages or buildings.


Ends/Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:52

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Annex to LCQ2

12 Apr 2019