對近期新界焦點事務的意見
2013-07-06 12:35:59
背景：
新界關注大聯盟(“大聯盟”)於2013年5月4日成立，就政府發展新界的政策和事務上，無論是僭建、丁屋、填海、交通或大廈管理等等大小事情，都為市民發聲，務求協助政府推動更均衡施政方針，舒緩各方的壓力。大聯盟的基本資料 （附件一）
這份檔概括地介紹大聯盟對不少新界事務的立場及簡單看法。
近期新界發展焦點：
1. 村屋僭建及應對方法（附件二、三）
政府截止新界村屋僭建物申報計劃後，共接獲1萬8千多份申報表格，至今未有透露多少合格的申報。然而，屋宇署在未有考慮村民生活環境下，引用僵化法例來向業主發出清拆令。大聯盟現正向各大政團遊說，希望爭取社會支持；亦向受影響的村民提供免費法律援助。
2. 我們未來的鐵路（附件四）
大聯盟認同政府應將屯門終點站伸延至屯門碼頭、興建屯荃鐵路、重新考慮北環線及興建古洞站及考慮興建港深西部軌道，起自東湧，經過屯門，走向西部通過白泥，連結前海，直達深圳機場，將屯門打造為新的交通樞杻。
3. 屯門龍鼓灘填海（附件五）
大聯盟認為填海並不是增加土地供應的最佳方法，反而要充份利用現有土地及重新整頓廢置農地等。而另一個有發展潛力的選擇是大嶼山南部，發展一半亦可為香港提供近7,000公頃的土地，足以支持未來數十年的發展。
4. 擴建新界堆填區（附件六）
大聯盟反對政府無限制地擴建堆填區，而應將屯門打造成環保功能城市，建造垃圾處理基地，循環再造，製造能源。港府參考北歐國家例子，真正發展香港環保產業。
5. 大浪西灣被納入郊野公園（附件七）
在2012年10月，政府刊憲將西灣納入西貢東郊野公園範圍，變相凍結西貢原居民的祖堂地、私人地，等同剝奪原居民的傳統合法權益。政府在平衡公眾利益和私人權益兩者之時，不應純粹傾側於保育而忘卻照顧私人權益。我們建議政府應立即剔除私人土地於郊野公園範圍之外及設立新的補償機制，考慮徵收有關土地和按基本法第105條釐定給予合理補償。
6. 機場擴建第三條跑道（附件八）
雖然我們明白機場因跑道吞吐量飽和而計劃興建第三條跑道，但大聯盟亦關注三跑道系統會否加劇噪音及空氣污染。
7. 提升村代表津貼（附件九）
新界村代表擁有法定地位，而需要處理的村務繁重，但只得每季二千元的津貼，一天資助額僅約二十二元，連最低時薪也不及。為提升村代表質素，大聯盟向政府爭取提升村代表津貼至每月一萬元。
另外我們對以下三個課題正進行研究中，稍後再發放報告，在此先盧列初步意見以作討論：
8. 新界東北發展
近日政府公佈新界東北發展的最終方案，333公頃的可供發展土地中，政府徵用114公頃私地，另外47公頃便用使用原區換地方法。雖然民間對政府此舉有質疑，但大聯盟支持政府此做法，以避免有違反《收回土地條例》中收地作公共用途的嫌疑。
9. 屯門至赤鱲角連接路
大聯盟建議政府應加快現已展開工作的屯門至赤鱲角連接路，完善新界西的交通網絡，提升物流業的水準。
10. 街坊代表選舉
長洲及坪洲的街坊代表選舉未有受法例規管，大聯盟建議將其加入《村代表選舉條例》中，並提高津貼，以更好地服務市民。
就有關議題的詳細文章，可在以下檔中查找：
6. 機場擴建第三條跑道： 機場興建第三條跑道的意見
OPINION ON RECENT ISSUES
Background:
The New Territories Concern Group was established on the 4th May 2013, with the aim of monitoring the Government’s various policies in relation to the New Territories. The N.T. Concern Group aims to provide a voice for the people of Hong Kong in relation to issues both big and small – be it Unauthorized Building Works, New Territories Exempt Houses, land reclamation, traffic and transportation and building management. The N.T. Concern Group hopes to assist the Government in developing a more effective and balanced policy direction, so as to relieve the pressure and tensions of the different parties and factions of society. (Annex 1)
This paper will briefly introduce the views and opinions of the NT Concern Group on some of the more recent issues:
1. Unauthorized Building Works (UBW) in New Territories Exempt Houses (NTEH)
Options available when served with a removal order
(Annex 2, 3)
After the deadline of the voluntary reporting scheme for UBWs in NTEHs passed, the Government had received to close to 18,000 declaration forms. It has not yet been revealed how many of these applications were declared acceptable. Yet, the Government continues to disregard the situations faced by the villagers, and insist on rigidly dealing out removal orders to property owners. The N.T. Concern Group is currently liaising with various political groups with the hope of obtaining community support; whilst simultaneously providing free legal advice for those villagers who are affected under the scheme.
2. “Our Future Railway”
(Annex 4)
The N.T. Concern Group feels that the Government should extend the final station of the Tuen Mun Line to Tuen Mun Pier. The Government should also construct a railway line from Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun; consider the development of the Northern Link and Kwu Tung Station; as well as the building of a Hong Kong to Shenzhen Western Corridor, which would go from Tung Chung, through Tuen Mun, towards Pak Nai and Qianhai and onto Shenzhen Airport, in order to develop Tuen Mun into a transportation hub.
3. Land Reclamation in Tuen Mun Lung Kwu Tang
(Annex 5)
The N.T. Concern Group feels that land reclamation is not the optimal solution to the problem of land supply. Instead, it is important to maximize the utilization of existing land, and also to redevelop abandoned areas such as neglected agricultural fields. Another potential for development is the south of Lantau Island, where even the development of half the island would supply Hong Kong with close to 7,000 hectares of land – more than sufficient to support developments of the next few decades.
4. Expanding the Landfills in the New Territories
(Annex 6)
The N.T. Concern Group opposes the Government’s policy in continually expanding existing landfills. Instead, the Government should build a waste management plant in Tuen Mun for recycling and harnessing the energy created by the process. Hong Kong should learn from other cities, especially those in Northern Europe, and properly invest in the industry of waste management and recycling.
5. The Inclusion of Tai Long Sai Wan into Sai Kung East Country Park
(Annex 7)
In October of 2012, the Government Gazette included Sai Wan into the area of the Sai Kung East Country Park, which ‘froze’ the ancestral lands of the indigenous inhabitants of Sai Kung and deprived them of their traditional lawful rights. The Government should strike a balance between public interest and private rights, and cannot deprive individuals of their right to private property in the name of public interest and ecological preservation. The N.T. Concern Group suggests that the Government rectify this decision and exclude private lands from the public park, and implement an appropriate compensation scheme with reference to Article 105 of the Basic Law.
6. The Development of a 3rd Runway in Hong Kong International Airport
(Annex 8)
Whilst the N.T. Concern Group understands that the Hong Kong International Airport plans to construct a third runway to relieve the heavy aviation traffic and to increase the maximum runway capacity, the Group is concerned about the decline in air quality and the additional noise pollution that a third runway would create.
7. Increasing the Village Representative Subsidy
(Annex 9)
A Village Representative is a position recognized by law, with substantial duties and responsibilities. Yet the position is only entitled to a seasonal allowance of $2,000HKD, which translates to a daily subsidy of around $22HKD – a salary that falls below even the minimal wage. In order to elevate the standard of village representatives, the N.T. Concern Group advocates that the Government implements a monthly subsidy of $10,000HKD.
In addition, the N.T. Concern Group is currently conducting research on the following three issues – reports of which will be released at a later date. However, this paper will supply a superficial overview of the Group’s opinion at this point in time:
8. Development of Northeast New Territories
The Government recently announced its final plan for the development of the Northeast New Territories. Of the 333 hectares of land available for development, 144 hectares of private land was expropriated, with another 47 hectares re-plotted. Whilst many of the community questioned this approach by the government, the N.T. Concern Group is supportive of the Government in this matter, as it avoids any contravention with the Land Resumption Ordinance.
9. Link between Tuen Mun and Chek Lap Kok
The N.T. Concern Group is of the view that the Government should begin construction of a road that links Tuen Mun to Chek Lap Kok, in order to improve the infrastructure and the transport network in the New Territories West, which will have a positive effect on property prices.
10. Community Representative Election
Currently, the Cheung Chau and Peng Chau residents’ elections are not regulated by law. The N.T. Concern Group proposes that the Government should incorporate these elections into the Village Representative Election Regulations, and also increase the subsidy for the representatives, in order to better serve the public.
For further information on the above issues, please refer to:
1. Unauthorized Building Works (UBW) in New Territories Exempt Houses (NTEH): Options Available When Served with a Removal Order for Unauthorized Building Works
3. Land Reclamation in Tuen Mun Lung Kwu Tang: Option on Enhancing Land Supply Strategy: Reclamation Outside Victoria Harbor and Rock Cavern Development
4. Expanding the Landfills in the New Territories: Transforming Tuen Mun into an Environmentally-Friendly City
6. The Development of a 3rd Runway in Hong Kong International Airport Hong Kong International Airport: Opinion on the Development of a Third Runway
7. Increasing the Village Representative Subsidy: The Forgotten Dignities of a Village Representative