More experts 'applying to join building-repairs lists'

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn announced a surge in interest from building contractors and consultants applying for inclusion in three new pre-qualified lists. The Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, set to launch by the end of the year, will replace the Urban Renewal Authority's building upkeep subsidy schemes using the Smart Tender system.

Linn noted that the government received approximately 150 applications from inspection and supervision consultants, and 350 from contractors, a significant increase compared to the previous pre-qualified list. She viewed the surge as a vote of confidence in the new system. The council will initially prioritize around 1,800 maintenance projects currently on the Smart Tender list, focusing first on the approximately 600 projects that have not undergone building inspections.

Linn explained that these un-inspected buildings would be assigned an inspection consultant upon the system's implementation. Most remaining structures already have supervision consultants. The government had originally intended to place the URA or its subsidiaries in charge of the new service, but Linn argued that this would have burdened the URA further, as it already manages numerous building maintenance duties and redevelopment projects.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong spoke about the Public Housing Building Control Section, set to replace the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit within a month. Wong stated that about 300 staff from the former unit, who were largely responsible for inadequate supervision leading up to the Wang Fuk Court fire, will join the new section.

He assured that extensive training has been provided to raise awareness and vigilance among the staff. Wong also highlighted the presence of a dedicated team for each major maintenance project and a project liaison officer to address inquiries from owners' corporations.