More experts 'applying to join building-repairs lists'
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said government has received an encouraging response from consultants and contractors seeking inclusion in three pre-qualified lists under a new council that will soon be offering full-cycle building repairs. The non-statutory Building Maintenance Support and Services Council – to be established by year-end – will gradually take over the Urban Renewal…
Government has received a positive response from consultants and contractors interested in joining three pre-qualified lists for building repairs under a new council. The Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, set to be established by year-end, will eventually replace the Urban Renewal Authority's (URA) subsidy schemes with its Smart Tender system.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn announced that the government received around 150 applications from inspection and supervision consultants and 350 applications from contractors. This is a significant increase compared to the 1,800 maintenance projects already in the Smart Tender System, with the council prioritizing 600 projects that have not undergone building inspections.
Most of the remaining buildings already have supervision consultants on board. The new Public Housing Building Control Section, replacing the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit, is expected to bring about more significant changes, with about 300 staff from the former unit moving to the new section. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong expressed confidence in the new section's ability to improve vigilance and awareness, noting that a dedicated team will oversee each major maintenance project.
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