The government's campaign calling for New Territories' villagers to report unauthorised structures has stalled in the face of renewed talks with rural representatives.
According to a survey by the South China Morning Post, only a small number of indigenous villagers in five of the nine villages singled out by the government in the first round of inspections have reported 'less risky' unauthorised structures to the Buildings Department.
However, some residents in at least four villages have already received removal orders for structures that pose bigger risks, such as large-scale rooftop glasshouses.
The Post found that only a handful of residents of Hang Tau village in Sheung Shui, Lo Wai village in Tsuen Wan, Wong Yee Au village in Tai Po, Sheung Wo Che village in Sha Tin and Ho Chung in Sai Kung had so far volunteered information on unauthorised structures before the government's September 30 deadline.
Rural representatives said villagers were holding back in the hope that authorities might grant a blanket amnesty in a new round of discussions with the Heung Yee Kuk.
'I hope the new administration will be more tolerant of additional structures, as long as they do not pose immediate danger to the public,' said Daniel Lam Wai-keung, the kuk's vice-chairman.