The Secretary for Development Carrie Lam will lead a delegation to attend the World Sustainable Building Conference 2008 in Melbourne from September 21 to 23.

She will then visit Sydney before returning to Hong Kong on September 25.

Held every three years, the conference provides a platform for governments and industry to have in-depth discussions and exchanges on the latest developments in green building technology and sustainable built environments.

The Hong Kong delegation, co-ordinated by the Professional Green Building Council in Hong Kong, includes more than 60 professionals and practitioners from government departments, universities, estate developers and the construction industry.

Mrs Lam will give opening remarks at the regional policy review panel and officiate at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong exhibition booth.

Site visits planned

During her stay in Melbourne, Mrs Lam will visit the city's latest developments in green building technology, including two buildings highly graded by the Australia Green Building Council for their distinctive green building features and design.

She will also visit Melbourne Central, the Melbourne General Post Office and Federation Square to see how these historic buildings and places have been preserved and revitalised.

After Melbourne, she will pay a two-day visit to Sydney, mainly to see the city's harbourfront and heritage work. She will meet the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and will tour harbourfront areas the authority manages.