GREEN, CARING CITY FOSTERED

(To watch the 2022-23 Budget speech with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government has devised strategies to build a green city and a caring society with quality life, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in his 2022-23 Budget speech today.

While unveiling the budget for the coming financial year, he announced that $200 million in funding will be injected into the Green Tech Fund to further promote decarbonisation and enhance environmental protection.

Some 40 additional projects covering net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction can be subsidised, which will in turn support innovation and create job opportunities for the innovation and technology industry.

Given the overwhelming response of the EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme, Mr Chan said the Government will extend the scheme to the 2027-28 financial year by allocating an additional sum of $1.5 billion. All in all, the scheme will support the installation of EV charging-enabling infrastructure for about 140,000 parking spaces in some 700 existing private residential buildings, accounting for about half of the eligible parking spaces in Hong Kong.

In addition, the Government is preparing to gradually convert a number of existing petrol or liquefied petroleum gas filling stations into quick charging stations in order to support the provision of charging services for more types of vehicles. It will also explore the feasibility of developing some larger filling station sites under the “single site, multiple use” model.

To enhance coastal areas’ capability of responding to climate change, the Government plans to earmark funding in the next five years to take forward improvement projects and management measures for 26 low-lying or windy residential areas that are prone to high risks. For the 2022-23 financial year, it will seek a funding approval of about $8.4 billion for carrying out drainage improvement works in various districts to enhance flood control capability. Strategic studies on coastal management will also begin, with a view to providing guidelines on planning and land use as well as formulating long-term strategies and preventive measures.

Quality Living

For citizens and tourists to enjoy the beauty of the harbourfront, the Financial Secretary said the Government will continue to adopt the incremental approach in executing the plans to open the Hoi Sham Park Extension in Kowloon City and the first section of the promenade under private development in the Kai Tak former runway area. This will extend the Victoria Harbour promenade to a total length of 26km.

As for the development of sports and cultural facilities, while the Kai Tak Sports Park project is scheduled for completion by the end of next year, the Government is actively implementing the $20 billion Five-year Plan for Sports & Recreational Facilities. At the same time, the construction and upgrading of community sports and recreational facilities, as well the five-year plan to transform the public play spaces managed by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department are underway.

Additionally, funding approval will be sought for carrying out the main works of a cultural centre in Fanling, the construction of Yau Ma Tei Theatre Phase 2 and the main works of the leisure and cultural complex on Tin Yip Road in Tin Shui Wai.

Popularisation of arts can enrich people’s quality of life, Mr Chan noted. From the 2024-25 financial year, he will allocate $20 million per year for regularising the Community Arts Scheme to offer more opportunities for the public to take part in arts and cultural activities. Meanwhile, an additional funding of $1 billion will be injected into the Built Heritage Conservation Fund.

Caring society

The Financial Secretary said the Government will continue to strengthen community and residential care services as well as social work services to support the elderly, people with disabilities and children, involving an additional annual expenditure of over $1.9 billion.

Three pilot schemes, namely the Pilot Scheme on Multi-disciplinary Outreaching Support Teams for the Elderly, the Pilot Scheme on Residential Care Service Voucher for the Elderly, and the Pilot Scheme on Professional Outreaching Teams for Private Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities, will be regularised. Extra resources will be given to upgrade the standard of Engineering Aide Second Class homes under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme.

On community care services, the Government will regularise the Pilot Scheme on Home Care & Support for Elderly Persons with Mild Impairment and the speech therapy service of the Enhanced Home & Community Care Services, so as to help the elderly in need age in place.

As regards the provision of welfare facilities, the Government will set up seven contract residential care homes in the multi-welfare services complex in the Kwu Tung North New Development Area, and a new contract residential care home under the development project at Queen’s Hill in Fanling.

Moreover, a neighbourhood elderly centre, a special child care centre and an early education and training centre will be established in Area 54 of Tuen Mun to provide community support and training services for the elderly, their carers, and children with special needs.

The Financial Secretary explained that the Pilot Scheme on Social Work Service for Pre-primary Institutions will become a regular project to facilitate the early identification of and provision of assistance to pre-primary children and their families with welfare needs.

From October, people with disabilities receiving subsidised residential care and community rehabilitation services will be provided with soft meals.

To better meet the keen demand for day child care services, the Government will review the implementation mode and effectiveness of the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, including the need for home-based child carers to undergo certified training and the level of their pay, Mr Chan added.

The review is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

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