The Government is studying the feasibility of providing a temporary site at Tseung Kwan O Area 137 to set up a concrete batching plant with the study due for completion in 2024.

Responding to questions from legislator Wilson Or at the Legislative Council today, Secretary for Development Michael Wong said there is an actual need to conduct a site search to cope with the development of East Kowloon and New Territories East.

He noted that in locating the plant site, the Government must consider factors such as locations of concrete demand, compatibility of land use and environmental and traffic impact.

There are also the prerequisites for facilitating a plant operation to consider, such as a waterfront site to allow transportation of raw materials by sea for concrete production to avoid increasing road traffic.

Taking these factors into consideration, the Government is now studying the feasibility of providing a temporary site at the waterfront area of Tseung Kwan O Area 137 for the market to bid for running a concrete batching plant.

The proposed plant will be able to provide a sustainable and stable supply of concrete to support the development of East Kowloon and New Territories East, including future construction works and development projects in Area 137.

It can also reduce cross-district transportation of concrete.

Mr Wong said the Government aims to complete the study for identifying the plant site this year.

Taking into account the time required for statutory procedures together with tendering and construction, the Government anticipates the concrete batching plant would be put into operation in 2024 at the earliest, he added.