Hong Kong lawmakers concerned about plan to reduce public feedback on proposed changes to land laws
- Proposal to reduce rounds of public consultations during town planning process and allow only invited individuals to provide feedback among possible changes
- Legislators say it would be akin to ‘taking away the rights of the public’ and could be unfair to residents to rely on only written submissions for feedback
Hong Kong lawmakers have voiced their concerns about limiting public feedback under proposed amendments to land-use regulations, even as the city’s development minister argued that the changes would conform to procedural justice.
Most lawmakers agreed in principle with the amendments to laws related to town planning, reclamation and roadworks to boost the city’s land supply. But some remained sceptical about a proposal to reduce rounds of public consultations during the town planning process.
The current system gives residents two months to submit their views to the Town Planning Board, which are then publicised for another three weeks to allow other parties to respond. After that, at least two rounds of a public hearing on submissions are held.
However, according to the proposed amendment, only invited individuals would be allowed to speak at the revamped consultation session.
Non-establishment lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen said during a meeting of the Legislative Council’s development panel on Tuesday that it was unacceptable to only allow selected individuals to take part in the public consultation, describing it as “taking away the rights of the public”.
Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun, however, said residents could still express their views through written submissions, noting it would be the major channel for future submissions.
