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Permanent
Secretary for the
Environment, Transport and Works (Environment) /
Director of Environmental Protection
K K Kwok,
JP
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"It
was the best of times; it was the worst of times." 2004 was a year
of major achievements. We made significant inroads in tackling the
problem of waste, which included enacting the Ordinance on the Construction
Waste Disposal Charging Scheme, launching a pilot scheme on separation
of household refuse at source, consulting the public on the way forward
for the second stage of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme and maintaining
the momentum of the replacement of the diesel-powered taxi and public
light bus fleet with LPG vehicles. A new comprehensive nature conservation
policy was also established and formally promulgated. These are but
a few of the shinning examples of what we have done during the year
in tackling our environmental problems. Yet our environment continued
to face pressures from developments and economic growth relentlessly.
One does not need to be an expert to appreciate the serious environmental
problems that we face. The Victoria Harbour continues to receive 450
000 tonnes of untreated raw sewage from the northern and western shores
of the Hong Kong Island everyday; our air quality remains a cause
for concern, and our landfills continue to be filled up quickly.
Building on the strong foundation of past efforts, 2005 will be a
year of action : the Environmental Protection Department in its new
incarnation combining the responsibilities and resources of a policy
bureau and a department will be well-placed to rise to the challenges
to our environment. While various studies and consultations on various
environmental issues will continue, the emphasis for the year will
be strong and effective action on a broad front.
To tackle the problem of municipal waste, we will greatly expand our
pilot scheme on source separation from 13 housing estates last year
to 180 in 2005. We will launch a full-scale Product Responsibility
Scheme for rechargeable batteries with over 300 collection points
in April 2005. Later in the year, we will consult the public on the
introduction of a compulsory product responsibility scheme for waste
tyres. With the necessary legislation in place, we will implement
a charging scheme for construction and demolition waste, which should
significantly reduce the amount of construction and demolition waste
ending up in our landfills. To provide additional relief, we will
also export the surplus fill to the Mainland for reclamation purposes.
To deal with the problem in the long term, we will publish a paper
setting out our strategy on municipal waste management and work towards
building a consensus on a multi-pronged and multi-technology approach
to the problem.
To promote the recycling of waste, we will set up the EcoPark in Tuen
Mun. We will complete the necessary environmental impact assessment
study report and make preparations for the site formation and provision
of infrastructure for its development. We will also pursue other important
waste management initiatives, such as enacting the legislation to
properly manage clinical waste.
To provide a long-term solution to the problem of pollution in the
Harbour, we will announce an implementation programme for the second
stage of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme and seek funding for the
necessary preconstruction activities such as environmental impact
assessment study, site investigation and preliminary design. In order
that resources will be available for the ongoing operation of the
scheme, we will review the existing sewage charges and the trade effluent
surcharge in accordance with the "polluter-pays" principle.
On the air side, we will maintain our momentum in encouraging public
light buses to convert to LPG power. We will bring the petrol available
in Hong Kong up to the latest Euro IV standards, and require all petrol
filling stations to install vapour recovery systems. We will also
develop an action programme to control volatile organic compounds,
which are a significant source of air pollution giving rise to the
smog problem. We will also commence the operation of the Regional
Air Quality Monitoring Network System, which will provide the community
with the latest air quality information for the Pearl River Delta
region on a daily basis. We will take up with the local power companies
the introduction of emission caps on their operations.
As regards nature conservation, we will closely scrutinize the proposals
received from project proponents with a view to facilitating the early
realization of the proposed projects where they meet our conservation
objectives and other requirements.
We have developed a detailed roadmap setting out how we will implement
the above initiatives during the year. The merger of the Environment
Branch of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau and the Environmental
Protection Department will provide dynamism and vigour for us to pursue
the ambitious programme with confidence and determination. I look
forward to forging a strong partnership between the new Environmental
Protection Department and the community in our collective effort to
protect the environment.
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| Permanent
Secretary for the
Environment, Transport and Works (Environment) /
Director of Environmental Protection
K
K Kwok, JP
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