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WITHIN
GOVERNMENT, the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau has overall
policy responsibility for the environment, while the Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) implements environmental plans and legislation
as well as advises on policy and new initiatives. The EPD was established
on 1 April 1986, with staff and resources from six government departments
and the aim of bringing the majority of pollution prevention and
control activities under one organisation.
The
department's responsibilities include implementing environmental
policy and plans; promoting community environmental awareness; enforcing
environmental legislation; monitoring environmental quality; providing
collection, transfer, treatment and disposal facilities for many
types of waste; advising on the environmental implications of town
planning and new policies; and handling pollution complaints and
incidents. These responsibilities are organised under seven programme
areas (see below).
In
2001, out of a departmental expenditure of $2.496 billion, 47.5
per cent was for contract payments for the treatment and disposal
of municipal and chemical wastes, 30.1 per cent was for staff costs,
17.9 per cent was for capital expenditure and 4.5 per cent was for
general operating expenses.
The
department had an establishment of about 1,600 staff in 2001. About
26 per cent are professionals, about 45 per cent are technical-grade
staff and the remaining 29 per cent are administrative and support
staff.
Chart
of Organisation Chart of Environmental Protection Department
Apart
from the EPD, other government departments are also responsible
for environmental initiatives that are related to their areas of
responsibility. For example, the Electrical and Mechanical Services
Department is responsible for energy efficiency, while the Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department is responsible for nature
conservation.
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