Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ4: Retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities at public markets
Following is a question by the Hon Wilson Or and a reply by the Secretary for
Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (March 1):
Question:
At present, where the management consultative committee and a specified
percentage of the tenants (the threshold) of a public market (including cooked
food centre) under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have
pledged their support for retrofitting an air-conditioning system at the market,
FEHD will conduct a technical feasibility study on the relevant works. The
threshold was lowered from 85 per cent to 80 per cent in July 2015. Shui Wo
Street Market Cooked Food Centre had obtained a tenant support rate of not less
than 85 per cent before the threshold was lowered, and Ngau Chi Wan Market
Cooked Food Centre and Ngau Tau Kok Market Cooked Food Centre have already
obtained a support rate of 100 per cent and 90 per cent respectively. The
tenants of these markets have complained about the slow progress of the
air-conditioning system retrofitting works. They are worried that the hot and
stuffy environment of the markets during summer time will deter customers from
visiting the markets, thus affecting the livelihood of the tenants. In this
connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the latest progress of the works for retrofitting air-conditioning
systems at the aforesaid three market cooked food centres; whether there are
specific implementation schemes; if so, of the arrangements, costs,
implementation schedules and anticipated completion dates of the works; if not,
the reasons for that;
(2) according to the authorities' latest assessment, whether the aforesaid three
market cooked food centres need to be closed partially or completely for the
works to proceed; of the measures in place to reduce the impact of the works on
the tenants; whether it will provide assistance or compensation to the tenants
during the period when the works are carried out; if so, of the details; if not,
the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it has reviewed the reasons for the slow progress of the
air-conditioning system retrofitting works at some markets, and of the measures
that may expedite the progress of the works?
Reply:
President,
According to the established mechanism, when there is a request from market
tenants for the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities at a public market,
the request will first be discussed at a meeting of the relevant Market
Management Consultative Committee (MMCC). Where a consensus is reached by MMCC
that the request should be further explored, the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department (FEHD) will conduct a questionnaire survey to gauge the extent of
support from market tenants. If there is sufficient tenant support, a technical
feasibility study will be conducted. Taking into consideration factors such as
the findings of the technical feasibility study, extent of works required, cost
effectiveness, impact on business and market operation, and whether the
implementation details are acceptable to the tenants concerned, the Government
will decide whether there is a case for seeking funds to carry out the works for
retrofitting air-conditioners.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) and (2) Shui Wo Street Market Cooked Food Centre started its operation in
May 1988. It had already obtained sufficient tenant support for the retrofitting
of air-conditioning facilities before the lowering of the threshold on July 1,
2015. However, there is insufficient electricity supply to operate the proposed
air-conditioning system. After preliminary assessment, it was proposed to
permanently close some stalls to free up space to install the required
electrical facilities, and to temporarily close the entire cooked food centre
for carrying out the relevant works. The proposal was strongly objected by the
tenants. In the meantime, FEHD had installed 14 evaporative air coolers in the
cooked food centre to improve the ventilation. After various rounds of
discussion between FEHD and the tenants, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD)
later made site visits with the China Light and Power Company Limited in August
and September 2016. Based on a preliminary assessment, it is anticipated that
the works will involve the permanent removal of four stalls for building a new
plant room. FEHD consulted the relevant MMCC on December 28, 2016 and will
continue to liaise with the tenants to gauge their views.
Ngau Tau Kok Market Cooked Food Centre had already obtained sufficient tenant
support for the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities after the lowering
of the threshold on July 1, 2015. ArchSD already commissioned a preliminary
feasibility assessment on the retrofitting of air-conditioners, and the
consultancy's initial assessment report was submitted in December 2016. FEHD is
now examining the report with a view to consulting the relevant MMCC in the
first quarter of 2017.
Ngau Chi Wan Market Cooked Food Centre had already obtained sufficient tenant
support for the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities after the lowering
of the threshold on July 1, 2015. However, the support rate of the market on G/F
and 1/F could not reach the threshold. FEHD has started following up the
retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities in the cooked food centre. As the
relevant MMCC had passed a motion in October 2016 calling for a new round of
questionnaire survey on the retrofitting of air-conditioning facilities on G/F
and 1/F, FEHD conducted another survey in December 2016. The questionnaires
collected are now being processed. If the overall support tenant rate (including
the market and the cooked food centre) reaches 80 per cent or above of the
threshold, FEHD will liaise with ArchSD to conduct a preliminary feasibility
assessment for the market and the cooked food centre, and will consult the
relevant MMCC in due course. Moreover, we are of the view that, if the overall
support rate exceeds the threshold, carrying out the retrofitting works for the
market and cooked food centre concurrently instead of separately will enhance
effectiveness and cause less disruption to tenants.
In general, if it is decided that the proposed air-conditioning retrofitting
works should proceed, we will, in the light of the possible temporary suspension
of business of individual tenants arising from the works, consider providing
support as appropriate, for example rental waiver during the temporary
suspension of business.
(3) Since the establishment of FEHD, the air-conditioning retrofitting works of
four markets and cooked food centres have been completed. The duration of these
retrofitting works in those days was about 12 months. The steps taken prior to
commencing the works included:
(a) conducting technical feasibility studies, carrying out overall assessments
of the retrofitting works, and seeking funding for the works; and
(b) co-ordinating views and consensus of tenants, so as to strike a balance
among the interests of various stakeholders, including those who are not in
favour of the proposal.
Moreover, the technical considerations vary greatly among individual public
markets, cooked food centres and cooked food markets, for example, whether the
existing design and layout allow sufficient space and headroom for the new plant
rooms, allow sufficient structural loading of buildings, and allow the
installation of transformer rooms and relevant ducting, and whether the
retrofitting works are cost-effective. Besides, another consideration is whether
other implementation details (such as the duration of market closure due to
retrofitting works, the number of stalls that may have to be removed, business
disruption to tenants due to the works involved, etc.) are acceptable to the
tenants concerned. The above factors are all crucial for determining whether the
retrofitting works can be commenced and whether more time is required for
completion of the works.
FEHD will continue to study with ArchSD the feasible options for shortening the
lead time required for the air-conditioning retrofitting works.
Ends/Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:35
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