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Letter to the Editor of the South China Morning Post dated 10 January 2006 - Response to an article on 10 January 2006 ("Environmental officials may use part of country park as rubbish dump", "Anger at country park landfill plan" and "Rubbish problem needs sustainable solution")
I refer to the articles carried by your paper on 10 January 2006, entitled "Environmental officials may use part of country park as rubbish dump", "Anger at country park landfill plan" and "Rubbish problem needs sustainable solution". I wish to clarify the position for the benefit of your readers.
Waste prevention and recycling have been and will always be the Government's main focus in tackling the waste problem in Hong Kong, but not all wastes are recyclable. Even if we are able to reduce and recycle waste as much as possible, there will still be over 4 million tonnes of non-recyclable wastes that need to be disposed of each year. Our three existing landfills will be full in about 6 to 10 years. The Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005 - 2014) published in December 2005 aims to address and tackle the imminent waste problem in Hong Kong. As explained clearly in the Policy Framework, even with all the proposed measures to meet various targets given in the plan, there is still the need to extend the existing landfills to serve as final repositories for non-recyclable and residual wastes.
A strategic study completed in January 2003 has looked into the feasibility of extending the three existing landfills, including the South East New Territories Landfill in Tseung Kwan O. As the South East New Territories Landfill is the most widely used waste disposal facility, it is estimated that it will be filled up around 2010/11. As it takes a long lead time to plan, design and commission a landfill project, EPD started the detailed Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Assessment (FS/EIA) for the South East New Territories Landfill extension in August 2005 as a follow up to the strategic study. The FS/EIA will take about 18 months to complete.
Under the FS/EIA, a scientific assessment of the engineering feasibility and environmental impact of the landfill extension will be conducted. The FS/EIA is currently at the early stage of identifying and exploring possible extension options. EPD will examine ways to avoid encroaching onto the Clear Water Bay Country Park. It should be noted that no option has been chosen or decided yet at this early stage of the study.
The South East New Territories Landfill extension project has adopted a proactive public communication approach with key stakeholders who have interest in the landfill extension or the general public who will be likely to be affected by the extension. The views and concerns gathered form the continuous public involvement exercise will be evaluated under the EIA process. Please rest assured that EPD will aim to develop the most suitable extension option that is capable of striking a balance between various views, considerations and demands in developing the South East New Territories Landfill extension to meet the waste disposal needs of Hong Kong.
Ellen Chan
Assistant Director of Environmental Protection
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