MOVES to streamline licensing procedures for restaurants have increased the workload on government departments responsible for inspections.
''Applicants will greatly benefit from the new system, but unfortunately it has increased our workload, causing many more problems,'' said Ng Chuck-lam, a surveyor with the Buildings Department.
Under the old licensing process, which took seven to eight months, applicants needed to obtain approval from three different departments - Urban or Regional Services, Fire Services and Buildings - after separate inspections.
Much time was therefore wasted in inter-departmental communication.
Under the new system, which came into effect this month, the inspection will be made at the same time by all three departments and the vetting of applications will be done by a central panel.
Applicants can get direct advice on the legal requirements so they can make correct applications. The time it takes to process an application may be cut by four to six weeks.
However, Mr Ng added: ''We used to group the applications of a few restaurants in the same area and then inspect them all at once.