Hong Kong – Results of Batch VI of Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme announced
Results of Batch VI of Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme announced (with photos/video)
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The Development Bureau announced today (June 14) that four projects proposed by non-profit-making organisations (NPOs) have been selected to revitalise the Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Staff Quarters Compound in Tai Tam, Homi Villa in Ting Kau, King Yin Lei in Mid-levels and Fong Yuen Study Hall in Ma Wan under Batch VI of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme).
The Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Staff Quarters Compound (a declared monument) will be converted into the “EARTH – Eco, Art & Culture, Revitalisation, Technology and Heritage” project by Lifewire Foundation Limited together with the Harbour School Foundation Limited. The project will set up a school for nature-based early childhood education, teacher training and after-school nature-based experiential learning programmes. It will also provide ecology, conservation, leisure and cultural activities for the public to raise their awareness of environmental sustainability. A Water Gallery will be set up to display the historical significance of this declared monument and the history of the water supply in Hong Kong.
Homi Villa (a Grade 3 historic building) will be turned into the “CNHE Youyou Villa” by the National History Education (Hong Kong) Limited. The project will be a learning centre that integrates Chinese culture and history studies with environmental studies. Exhibitions, guided tours, lectures and workshops, etc will be organised to deepen public understanding of the environment, history and culture, and to allow visitors to learn about the history of Hong Kong. There will also be a restaurant serving Indian and Chinese cuisine to reflect the background and culture of Homi Villa and the Ruttonjee family.
King Yin Lei (a declared monument) will be converted into the “King Yin Lei – a Healthy Living Centre based on Pu’er Tea & TCM” by the Tianda Institute together with the International Pu’er Tea Association Limited and the Chinese Medicine (Global) Promotion Association Limited, to promote general health through a better understanding of Pu’er tea, traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal herbs. Classes, mindfulness activities as well as tea and dining services will also be offered to arouse visitors’ awareness of maintaining sustainable health.
Fong Yuen Study Hall (a Grade 3 historic building) will be revitalised into the “Fong Yuen Study Hall – Experiential Learning Centre” by the Boys’ Brigade, Hong Kong. The project will add science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) innovation elements in its history, culture and environmental ecology activities to attract participants of different age groups and to carry through the educational mission of Fong Yuen Study Hall. It will also organise guided tours that link up the historical and cultural heritage, as well as natural environment, of Ma Wan.
The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, said, “The Revitalisation Scheme launched by the Development Bureau in 2008 has entered into its 15th year. So far, a total of 22 declared monuments and historic buildings have been covered, among which 10 projects are now in operation, one project has recently commenced trial operation and two projects will commence operation soon. Through partnership with the NPOs, these buildings are preserved and transformed into unique cultural landmarks, providing opportunities to the public to visit and appreciate these old buildings with heritage value.”
After completion of the four revitalisation projects, a substantial part of the historic buildings will be open for visiting by the public. Free guided tours and open days will also be organised. The public will have more chances to appreciate the historic buildings and use their facilities, thereby enhancing their understanding and awareness of conserving and revitalising the historic buildings.
Mr Wong expressed gratitude to members of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation (ACBHC) for their dedication and precious time in selecting the best adaptive re-use for the historic buildings under Batch VI of the Revitalisation Scheme.
The Government will earmark funding of about $586 million to subsidise the renovation of the four historic buildings and another $15 million to subsidise the initial operation of the projects. This batch of projects is expected to be completed in phases and come into operation starting from 2025. It will create over 90 jobs.
The ACBHC assessed 42 applications received in respect of these four buildings under Batch VI of the Revitalisation Scheme in accordance with the following five criteria:
* reflection of historical value and significance;
* technical aspects;
* social value and social enterprise operation;
* financial viability; and
* management capability and other considerations.
For the Former North Kowloon Magistracy (a Grade 2 historic building) in Sham Shui Po, which was included in the same batch of the Revitalisation Scheme at a later date, assessment of 30 applications received is under way and the result is expected to be announced in the second half of this year after completion of the whole assessment process.
Details of the selected projects can be found at the heritage conservation website (www.heritage.gov.hk).
The Government launched the Revitalisation Scheme in 2008 to invite proposals from NPOs to revitalise selected government-owned historic buildings in the form of social enterprise. Where justified, the Government will provide financial support to the selected organisations, including a one-off grant to cover the cost of major renovation of the buildings, in part or in full; nominal rental for the buildings; and one-off grants to meet the starting costs and operating deficits of the social enterprises for a maximum of the first two years of operation at a ceiling of $5 million per project, on the prerequisite that the selected proposal is projected to become self-sustainable after this initial period.
Third batch of subsidies disbursed under Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme
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Fourth batch of CoronaVac vaccines arrive in Hong Kong
****************************************************** The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).
Batch recall of Nucala Solution for Injection in Pre-filled Pen 100mg/ml (with photo)
************************************************************************************* The DH received notification from GSK today that a fibre was found in one of the finished products which is a quality defect. After assessment, the overseas manufacturer believes that the defect may be originated from a bulk product batch which may affect a number of finished product batches. As a result, the manufacturer decided to recall all the finished product batches. According to GSK, the batch 3K4D is the only affected batch which has been imported and supplied in Hong Kong. As a precautionary measure, GSK is voluntarily recalling the batch from the market. The above product is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of severe asthma. According to GSK, the affected batch has been supplied to Hospital Authority, private hospitals and private doctors. GSK has set up a hotline (3189 8765) to handle related enquiries. “So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction reports in connection with the batch of product. The DH will closely monitor the recall,” a spokesman for the DH said. ”Patients who are using the above product should not stop using the medicine, but should seek advice from their healthcare professionals for appropriate arrangement,” the spokesman added.
Hong Kong – Third batch of subsidies disbursed under Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme
Vetting work of the third batch of applications under the Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme (the Scheme) has been completed. Subsidies will be disbursed to more than 57 000 successful applicants, which include about 31 000 applicants with accounts under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) schemes and over 26 000 applicants without MPF accounts.
A Government spokesman said that taking into account the aforementioned 57 000 successful applicants, the Government has already approved more than 150 000 applications. In addition, SMS messages or emails have been sent to nearly 30 000 ineligible applicants since last week to inform them of the outcome of their application. The Government is processing the remaining applications in full swing with the aim to disburse subsidies to all eligible applicants within May.
When processing applications, the Government-appointed agent may require applicants to provide additional information to verify their eligibility if necessary. As there are more applications than expected, the Government has increased manpower to expedite the processing of the applications. Generally, subsidies can be disbursed to eligible applicants with MPF accounts in about four weeks’ time after submitting the application. As more than 40 per cent of the applications do not have MPF accounts, the processing time of such applications would take longer.
The Government will announce the next batch of successful applicants in due course. Applicants may log into the dedicated website of the Scheme (www.tur.gov.hk/en/) to check the application status.
Hong Kong – Fourth batch of CoronaVac vaccines arrive in Hong Kong
A new batch (the fourth) of about 800 000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine has been delivered to Hong Kong from Beijing today (October 4). Soon after the arrival of the vaccines, staff carried out stringent checking and inspection on the vaccines in accordance with established procedures to ensure that they comply with the product specifications and that the transportation process follows the relevant cold-chain requirements.Hong Kong – Batch recall of Nucala Solution for Injection in Pre-filled Pen 100mg/ml (with photo)
The Department of Health (DH) today (July 8) endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, GlaxoSmithKline Limited (GSK), to recall a batch (batch number: 3K4D) of Nucala Solution for Injection in Pre-filled Pen 100mg/ml (Hong Kong Registration Number: HK-66838) from the market as a precautionary measure due to a potential quality defect of the product.Ads
