Property owner fined over $88,000 for not complying with removal order
A property owner who persistently failed to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123) was convicted and fined over $88,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts this month.
The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 67 square metres on the flat roof of a residential building at Wo Yi Hop Road, Kwai Chung. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without the prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD three times and was fined $39,980 in total upon convictions by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the fourth time and was fined $88,900 upon conviction again at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on November 13.
A spokesman for the BD today (November 27) said "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners concerned must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement actions and consider instigating prosecution against owners again if they persist in not complying with orders, so as to ensure building safety."
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
"M" Mark status awarded to Hong Kong 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2024 and WSF World Squash Team Championships 2024
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to three major international sports events, namely the Hong Kong 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships (November 30 to December 4), the Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2024 (December 2 to 8) and the WSF World Squash Team Championships 2024 (December 9 to 15).
The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (November 27), "The Hong Kong 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships will be held for the first time in Hong Kong. It is an international taekwondo event as well as an important platform for promoting the poomsae discipline of taekwondo. In addition, the Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2024 is a major event on the global squash scene, with world's top players competing. Starting from the quarter-finals, the matches will be moved to the glass court at Edinburgh Place in Central for public enjoyment. Immediately after that will be the WSF World Squash Team Championships 2024. Apart from being hosted in Hong Kong for the first time, it is also the first time that both men's and women's events will be held together, which makes it a must-see for squash enthusiasts. The above events significantly recognise the sports community in Hong Kong, fully demonstrate the city's capability in hosting international sporting events and further enhance Hong Kong's status in the global sports arena."
The "M" Mark System aims to encourage and help local "national sports associations" and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
For details of "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.
