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Assistance to Brownfield Operators Displaced by the Government’s Land Resumption and Clearance Exercises for Public Projects

The Government has developing land to meet the housing and other needs of the community. When resumption and clearance of land are required for public projects, the Government will provide monetary compensation for the affected eligible parties in accordance with the applicable legislation or policies. For displaced brownfield operators, they will be offered various assistance as follows:

Monetary Compensation

Under the current regime, brownfield operators may opt for the following ex-gratia allowances (EGAs) (in lieu of any other applicable statutory compensation):

  • “EGA for Shops, Workshops, Godowns, Slipways, Schools, Churches and Ornamental Fish Breeding Undertakings”: available for business undertakings operating from a surveyed/licensed structure; or
  • “EGA for Open-air/Outdoor Business Undertakings”: available for business undertakings operating on private agricultural land not in breach of lease or the conditions in the relevant land instruments of private land, or on government land under short term tenancy (excluding sites let by tender).

The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved in July 2018 and May 2022 respective arrangements to enhance the ex-gratia compensation mentioned above. When the relevant project is ready for implementation, the Lands Department (LandsD) will contact the displaced brownfield operators at an appropriate time to assess their eligibility for the EGAs, and notify individual operators of the amount of EGA they may receive and the arrangements for disbursement (the EGAs are generally disbursed to operators upon departure, but the LandsD may consider making early disbursement ahead of the removal date if the operators so request). Displaced brownfield operators may learn about the arrangements and obtain the contact details of the relevant offices from the LandsD webpage, which is uploaded with an introduction video (Chinese version only) and an information pamphlet.

Provision of Advisory and Facilitation Services Relating to Planning and Land Issues

We understand the aspirations of some brownfield operators for relocation. In addition to providing monetary compensation, the Government offers assistance and facilitation through administrative means. For brownfield operators who have identified their relocation sites, the following facilitation measures relating to planning and land issues are offered by the Government:

Planning issue - The relocated business operation needs to be in conformity with the planned use of the site concerned. For details, please visit the webpage of the Planning Department.

Land issue - the LandsD will prioritise processing the waiver applications from business operators affected by the Government’s land resumption or development clearance exercises to expedite their business relocation. The site of waiver application needs to be in conformity with the planned use of the site concerned. To facilitate the identification of the displaced business operators from waiver application, an applicant is required to provide details of the relevant development project in the application form below, and submit the waiver application to the relevant District Lands Office or approach the following office for enquiries:

Acquisition Section, Lands Department
19th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2231 3628
Fax No. : 2530 1701 / 2501 4042

Waiver application form for business operators affected by the Government’s land resumption or clearance exercises for development projects 

Restricted Tendering of Government Sites by way of Short Term Tenancy to Displaced Brownfield Operators

Besides facilitating operators who have identified private site for relocation, the Government is also striving to identify suitable government sites for letting to eligible brownfield operators displaced by the land resumption and clearance exercises for public projects, by way of short term tenancy through restricted tender. The Government is now putting up temporary government sites for tender in phases, and will invite in writing eligible brownfield operators to submit their tenders if they are interested in leasing those sites to carry on their operations.


Information of government sites that are currently put up for restricted tender as follows:-

Information of government sites that are previously put up for restricted tender as follows:-

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