Government will not lose grip on Northern Metropolis's supervision

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn says that the tenders for Hung Shui Kiu Pilot Area have a diversified background. The comment comes a day after the tender submission deadline was over for the land parcel.

The government received two bids for the Hung Shui Kiu Pilot Area at noon on Friday -- the deadline for the tender submission.

Speaking on a radio programme on Saturday, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn says the tenders have a diversified background. Linn says the companies are not simply developers but they are experienced industry operators, and that meets the government's goal which is to connect the two parties through the development of the Northern Metropolis.

On Friday, the government also gazetted the Northern Metropolis Development Bill, which will be introduced to the Legislative Council for first and second readings on Wednesday. While the goal is to pass the bill by the end of the year, the development secretary stresses that authorities will not lose grip of the megaproject's supervision, despite the ordinance's aim to streamline and accelerate the planning and construction work.

In response to the clashes between Hung Shui Kiu residents and government officials after the former refused to leave the area, saying they had not been informed in advance, Linn notes that the earliest notice was issued in 2022.