Legislative Council passes Northern Metropolis Development Bill at third reading; authorities aim for facilitation measures to take effect in Q1 next year.

The Legislative Council passed the Northern Metropolis Development Bill and the amendments proposed by the government at third reading. The ordinance specifies six policy areas to facilitate Northern Metropolis development, including streamlining town planning procedures, speeding up payment of land resumption compensation, and simplifying applications for construction noise permits. The bill also authorizes the Chief Executive in Council to make subsidiary legislation on the six areas to set out implementation details. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said the government will submit subsidiary legislation to the Legislative Council in January next year, aiming for the relevant facilitation measures to take effect in the first quarter of next year. As Northern Metropolis construction enters different stages in future, new legislation or amendments to the ordinance will be introduced as needed in a timely manner. She stressed that not all existing legislation applicable to the Northern Metropolis needs to be incorporated into the ordinance, and that regulations concerning urban governance, transport and labour in the Northern Metropolis will continue to be handled under existing relevant ordinances. Linn pointed out that the ordinance will streamline town planning procedures, but the Town Planning Board will continue to perform its gatekeeping role, and the streamlining measures will not apply to conservation zones in the Northern Metropolis. As for simplifying applications for construction noise permits, the new arrangements do not change noise control standards, ensuring residents are protected. She also said that if the relevant deregulatory measures should apply to all of Hong Kong, the more appropriate approach is to enact or amend territory-wide legislation. For example, tax concessions, since they also apply to enterprises outside the Northern Metropolis, will be implemented by amending the Inland Revenue Ordinance.