Quality Housing Consultative Document

Message from Secretary for Works

It has always been my vision to develop a healthy, capable and reliable construction industry which can consistently deliver quality construction products on time and in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, and that everyone taking part in the construction process takes pride in his/her involvement and contribution.

We have been able to reap achievements in the past in building a new international airport, high-speed expressways, long-span bridges across sea channels, large-scale sewage treatment works and water treatment works, gorgeous commercial buildings on both sides of the harbour. Indeed, the construction industry has contributed tremendously to the infrastructural and economic development of Hong Kong.

The various incidents in the past year that involved non-complying building and public housing construction works do, however, warrant community concern on the quality of building works. The construction industry itself also agrees that urgent action is needed to rectify the problems that affect the delivery of quality construction works. More importantly, the various other problems of the industry as revealed in these incidents also have to be addressed. We need to initiate a culture change and develop a more efficient and productive construction industry with a better quality workforce that can deliver quality and generate less construction waste in the long run.

Given the nature of the problems and large number of stakeholders involved, I fully share the view of the Housing Authority that the key driver for change has to be through partnering. I also support the strategies and initiatives proposed in this consultative document.

Towards uplifting our construction industry and delivering construction quality in the long term, the Works Bureau has set up the Quality Construction Committee comprising representatives from all sectors of the industry. I am confident that the implementation of the reform measures to be proposed later by the Works Bureau together with those in this document by the Housing Authority will help to foster a healthy and capable construction industry that will sustain our prosperity and developments into the 21st century.

LEE Shing-see
Secretary for Works

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