Preliminary Project Appraisal

Once the need for a project is established, to gain a formal status in the Public Works Programme (PWP), the respective Bureau Secretary is required to sign off a Project Definition Statement (PDS) for the capital works project. Based on the PDS, the works department prepares the Technical Feasibility Study (TFS) to ascertain viability, identify development / environmental constraints, formulate implementation strategy and estimate cost. Thereafter, inclusion of the project in Category C of the PWP.

Completion of a Project Definition Statement (PDS) for inclusion into the PWP

The PDS explains the rationale for a project and the commitment to it. According to the Handbook, the PDS should determine that:

Tips:

As a good practice, a project proponent is advised to review and follow up recommendations of strategic planning studies, if available. Then, the project proponent should anticipate and avoid environmental problems as early as possible.

Please click here for Chapter 3 to learn more about "How to use information in strategic Environmental Assessment or Planning Studies?"

Completion of Technical Feasibility Study (TFS) for inclusion into Category C of the PWP
The Handbook requests preliminary considerations in TFS should be given to:

Environmental Considerations during TFS stage

With a more defined project scope, a project proponent should seek advice from EPD on whether the work is a Designated Project. Click here for Chapter 3 - "Know whether a project is a Designated Project".

Tips:

project proponent should plan the project programme to avoid putting environmental assessment in the critical path; might decide whether to commence EIA or gather background and baseline information at this stage.

For non-designated projects, the works departments' undertaking should be included to either provide the mitigation measures to implement standard pollution control measures during construction or to carry out a Preliminary Environmental Review of the project, as appropriate.