A coordination office for the Northern Metropolis was set up yesterday by the Development Bureau to drive various aspects of the project, including housing, transport and various other infrastructure.

Vic Yau Cheuk-hang, director of the Preparatory Office for the Northern Metropolis and a former deputy development secretary, will head the office.

The office will announce an action agenda and an implementation plan for the Northern Metropolis project within this year.

Staff will be responsible for coming up with innovative planning ideas and land policies plus implementation arrangements to support new industrial strategies.

The office will also coordinate with government departments in shaping plans for housing, transport and other infrastructure as well as ecological conservation.

Coordination office staff will also need to establish close and regular contacts for collaborating with mainland authorities "to make full use of the synergy between the Northern Metropolis and the Greater Bay Area" and for efficient integration into national development.

"With the theme of 'International Innovation and Technology New City,' the Northern Metropolis will integrate quality living, industries, and culture and leisure," the official visionary line runs on.

"It is a new engine for Hong Kong to scale new heights."

A spokesman underlined the fact that "the Northern Metropolis project covers aspects such as land development, housing supply, transport infrastructure, ecological conservation, development of industries and government and community facilities.

"It is a mammoth undertaking involving a number of government bureaus and departments."

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan described office director Yau as a seasoned administrative officer with proven leadership and management skills.

"I have every confidence he will continue to serve the community with professionalismm" she said.

Yau joined the government's administrative service in July 1997 and has served in various bureaus and departments, including the Home Affairs Department, the former home affairs bureau, the former environment, transport and works bureau, the Housing Department, the Chief Executive's Office and the Security Bureau.

He was the deputy secretary for security from March 2016 to December 2018 and deputy secretary for development of planning and lands from December 2018 to this February.

Then he became director of the Preparatory Office for the Northern Metropolis.

Guidance center for Northern Metropolis