'Kai Tak Temporary Flats May Add To Transport Woes'

The head of the Real Estate Developers Association (REDA), Stewart Leung, on Tuesday expressed concern about a traffic overload in Kai Tak, following the building of light public housing there.

The government plans to build 10,700 temporary flats on Olympic Avenue, near the Kai Tak MTR station.

Speaking to reporters after attending a regular REDA meeting, Leung said developers generally welcome the idea of building short-term housing because there’s a high demand for them in society.

But he's worried that the Kai Tai station may be overloaded, as there are also several other private developments on the former runway that are almost complete.

"So our only worry is transport - whether it will jam up the entire Kai Tak district. The government has told us that they have some solution to a degree," Leung said.

"In this aspect, we think as the government has made this promise, especially that the government has the need for temporary housing, it's impossible for us to oppose this."

The Kai Tak site is one of eight plots earmarked to build some 30,000 light public flats. The government is to seek HK$26.4 billion in funding from the legislature in phases.

In papers submitted to the Legislative Council, the Housing Bureau said the total sum is HK$950 million less than initially planned due to improvements in construction methods, as well as dropping air conditioners and one exhaust fan from each unit.