Minutes of the Twelfth Meeting of
Central and Western District Council
Date / : / 9January 2014 (Thursday)Time / : / 2:30 pm
Venue / : / Conference Room
14/F, Harbour Building
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
Present:
Chairman
Mr YIP Wing-shing, BBS, MH, JP*
Vice-chairman
Mr CHAN Hok-fung*
Members
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai, BBS, JP(2:34 pm – 7:22 pm)
Mr CHAN Choi-hi*
Mr CHAN Ho-lim, Joseph*
Ms CHENG Lai-king*
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan*
Mr CHEUNG Yick-hung, Jackie(2:34 pm – 6:50 pm)
Mr HUI Chi-fung*
Mr IP Kwok-him, GBS, JP(2:34 pm – 2:36 pm and 5:17 pm – end of the meeting)
Mr KAM Nai-wai, MH(2:34 pm – 5:56 pm)
Dr Malcolm LAM(2:34 pm – 3:31 pm)
Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney*
Miss LO Yee-hang(2:40 pm – 6:32 pm)
Mr MAN Chi-wah, MH*
Mr NG Siu-keung, Thomas, MH,JP*
Miss SIU Ka-yi*
Mr WONG Kin-shing*
Remarks: *Members who attended the whole meeting
( )Time of attendance of Members
Item 2Mr WONG Kam-sing, JP / Secretary for the Environment,Environment Bureau
Mr CHAN Wai-kee, Howard, JP / Deputy Director of Environmental Protection(2),Environmental Protection Department
Miss Katharine CHOI
Ms AU Wing-tsz, Michelle / Administrative Assistant to Secretary for the Environment, Environmental Protection Department
Political Assistant to Secretary for the Environment, Environmental Protection Department
Item 6(i)
Mr LEUNG Ka-wah, Michael / Senior Liaison Engineer, MTR Corporation Limited
Ms Sandy WU / Project Communications Manager,
MTR Corporation Limited
Mr LUK Yiu-wah, Everett / Chief Engineer/Railway Development 2-1,
Railway Development Office, Highways Department
Mr CHAN Gin-wing, David / Senior Engineer/Priority Railway 3, Transport Department
Mr NGAN Siu-ming, George / District Leisure Manager (Central and Western), Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Item 6(ii)
Mr Michael MA / Director, Planning and Design, Urban Renewal Authority
Mr AU Chun-ho, Wilfred / Deputy ChiefManager, Planning and Design,
Urban Renewal Authority
Miss LEE Lai-kwan, Queenie / Assistant Secretary (Heritage Conservation) 3,
Development Bureau
Mr CHU Ho, Larry / Assistant Secretary (Harbour) 1, Development Bureau
Mr WONG Chi-pan, Ricky / Assistant Secretary (Heritage Conservation) 2,
Development Bureau
Mr TAM Wing-kai, Patrick / Project Manager (Heritage Conservation),
Development Bureau
Item 10
Ms WONG Ming-wai / Senior Executive Officer (District Council),
Central andWestern District Office
Item 11
Mr TAM Chi-yuen, Raymond, GBS, JP / Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau
Ms CHU Shui-man, Joanne / Administrative Assistant toSecretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau
Item 13
Mr Wise CHOY / District Commander (Western), Hong Kong Police Force
Mr CHING Chi-yan, Billy / Police Community Relations Officer (Western District),
Hong Kong Police Force
Item 14
Ms LO Yuet-yee, Rhonda / Coordinator(Hawker Assistance Scheme), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Item 15
Mr Michael MA / Director, Planning and Design, Urban Renewal Authority
Mr YAU Chung-hok, Lawrence
Mr WONG Wai-kuen, Ian / Director, Corporate Communications,
Urban Renewal Authority
Director, Acquisition and Clearance, Urban Renewal Authority
Ms LEE Sau-ping, Ritz
Mr WONG Lap-ho, Leo
Ms HO Wai-hung / Senior Estate Surveyor/Urban Renewal 3 (Urban Renewal Section), Lands Department
Estate Surveyor/Urban Renewal 3 (Urban Renewal Section), Lands Department
Senior Town Planner/ Hong Kong 4 (Atg), Planning Department
In Attendance:
Mr Wise CHOY / District Commander (Western), Hong Kong Police Force
Mr CHING Chi-yan, Billy / Police Community Relations Officer (Western District),
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr MAK Chi-biu / Chief Engineer /Hong Kong(1), Civil Engineering and Development Department
MrYIP Ming-bor / District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Central/Western), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Mr NGAN Siu-ming, George / District Leisure Manager (Central and Western), Leisure and Cultural Services Department
MrCHAN Nap-sang, Nelson / Chief Transport Officer/Hong Kong
Transport Department
Miss CHOW Ho-kiu, Cheryl, JP / District Officer (Central and Western)
Mr CHAN Yun-man, Winston / Assistant District Officer (Central and Western)
Ms YEUNG Lai-ching, Regent / Senior Executive Officer (District Management)
Central and Western District Office
Mr CHAN Shing-fung / Executive Officer I (District Council),
Central and Western District Office
Secretary
Ms WONG Ming-waiSenior Executive Officer (District Council),
Central andWestern District Office
Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed representatives of government departments and Membersto the twelfth meeting of the Central and Western District Council (C&WDC). He then introduced Mr GeorgeNGAN,District Leisure Manager(Central and Western) ofthe Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and Mr Billy CHING,Police Community Relations Officer (Western District) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF),who succeeded Mr LEUNG King-fatand Mr LAW Shu-pui respectively and attended the meeting for the first time.
- The Chairman pointed out that on 3 December 2013, many front line police officers were assaulted by a manwho was suspected to be mentally ill with a knife when they were handling a case door-to-door. Many front line police officers and ambulancemen were injured in the incident. On behalf of the C&WDC, the Chairman and the Vice-chairmancommended the police officers for their bravery andutmost effortsin performing duties. Hehad visited the injured government officers in the hospital and wished them a speedy recovery.
Item 1: / Adoption of the Agenda
(2:35 pm)
- Members had no objection to the agenda,so the Chairman declared the adoption of the agenda.
Discussion Item
Item 2: / Comprehensive Waste Management Blueprint 2013-2022(C&W DC Paper No. 1/2014)
(2:35 pm -3:45 pm)
- The Chairman welcomed Mr WONG Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment and representatives of the Environment Bureau(ENB) to the meeting.
- Mr WONG Kam-sing gave a PowerPoint presentation on the “Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022” (the Blueprint). The Government had drawn up a blueprint for waste management in the coming 10 years to comprehensively address the waste management problem in Hong Kong in a gradual manner. The target was to reduce waste disposal by 40% in 10 years.
(a)The distribution ratio of three-colour recycling bins per capita was high in the Central and Western District (C&W District), but no housing estate in the district had participated in the “Food Waste Recycling Projects in Housing Estates” at the moment. The ENBwould gradually extend the recycling network of compact fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes, rechargeable batteries and glass in various districts of Hong Kong. The ENB planned to spend 10 years on addressing the critical issues of waste management to achieve a lasting impact. Hong Kong had been in a predicament where there were no incineratoror waste-to-energy facilities but had to be excessively dependent on landfills which were almost filled up. On top of that, it had to take care of environmental recycling and municipal hygiene.The ENB therefore had to adopt a five-pronged approach, i.e., to concurrently implement five policy measures, namely “waste reduction at source”, “Food Wise Hong Kong”, “clean recycling”, “waste-to-energy” and “hygienic landfilling” in the coming 10 years. In the case of landfill, it took time for extension and therefore other measures had to be implemented at the same time.
(b)The Government had taken the lead to adopt measures to reduce waste at source. He stressed that the per capita municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal rate of Hong Kong was higher than that of other developed regions/countries in Asia. Thus the focus would be put on the promotion of waste reduction culture. As South Korea and Taipei had been successful in implementing “quantity-based waste charging”, the Government of the last term conducted a consultation on the system and more than 60% of the respondents supported the adoption of the measure at that time. The current-term Government determined to implement the policy and consulted the public on the relevant details through the Council for Sustainable Development. The consultation period would end on 24 January 2014.
(c)About 3600 tonnes of food waste was disposed of in Hong Kong every day, accounting for more than 40% of total waste. The ENB was committed to reduce the quantity of food waste by implementing the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign. By providing more on-site food waste processors for housing estates, promoting the Food Wise Charter and food donation activities,the ENB aimed to reduce food waste by 10% (i.e. around 360 tonnes) in a few years. Those policies had started to bear fruit. The ENB was currently providing food waste processors in several dozens of housing estates. The primary objective was to mobilise the public to develop a habit of separating food waste to tie in with the operation of the large-scale central treatment facility to be built in future. The first organic waste treatment facilityin Hong Kong would be opened in Siu Ho Wan, Lantau in 2016 and could process around 200 tonnes of food waste a day.
(d)Government departments concerned and the Legislative Council (LegCo) were actively drafting the legislation for several producer responsibility schemesto promote clean recycling. In respect of glass beverage bottles, around 20% of the bottles collected in future would be used for producing eco-blocks and around 80% for construction materials such as blanket drainage layers. The number of recycling points would be increased from some 200 to over 400, which was estimated to cover around half of the population in Hong Kong. The Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags would be extendedto the whole retail level throughout the territory. The legislation drafting of the recycling of televisions, refrigerators,washing machines, air-conditioners and computers was in progress. Studyof ways to support the recycling industry was also underway. Community recycling centres and collection points run by NGOs were already available in the CW District. The ENB planned to set up a Community Green Station in each of the 18 districts in Hong Kong to enhance community participation. Apart from the above initiatives, clean recycling would also be promoted through education activities such as territory-wide waste reduction campaigns for secondary and primary schools.
(e)Statistics indicated that most advanced countries were usingwaste-to-energy facilities. Hong Kong had never possessed any large-scale waste-to-energy facilities andrelied mainly on landfills to manage waste. Although the proportion of using waste-to-energy facilities would be increased, landfills still had to be extended as appropriate. There was usually a long time lapse between the planning and the commissioning of an incinerator. It took over 20 years in the case of the incinerator in Shek Kwu Chau. Thus other measures had to be implemented concurrently. Since Hong Kong was a tiny place with a large population,it was pragmatic to use waste-to-energy facilities. In fact, the waste management structure in Hong Kong had started to evolve. For example, a sludge treatment facility was set up in Tuen Mun, pilot schemesof on-site treatment of food waste were launched in a small number of housing estates, and large-scale central treatment facilities, like incinerators, were under planning. He explained that the site for an incinerator in Shek Kwu Chau was reasonable since it was far away from residential areas. Moreover, the incinerator had met the Euro standard and the relevant environmental impact assessment report had been approved. Due to the judicial review, the Government could continue to solicit support for the incinerator only after the Court had found in favour of the Government in August 2013.
(f)The Government would increase the proportion of using waste-to-energy facilities in a long run to support hygienic landfilling. However, the landfills in Hong Kong would be full within six years. Even if the proposed incinerator in Shek Kwu Chau was approved, it would takeeight years for it to be put into operation, but before that, the landfills would have been exhausted. There was a pressing need to solve the problem that Hong Kong had to dispose of 9000 tonnes of MSW every day. The Government therefore had to adopt the five policy measures simultaneously to solve the problem within the next decade. The Government understood the public’saspiration for environmental hygiene and thereforelegislate and subsidise the industry to use fully enclosed refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) to deliver waste. The public consultation on the three proposed landfills had been implemented for around 10 years. He opined that the distribution of the landfills was reasonable. The use of waste collection vessels would be increased in order to mitigate the nuisance. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Radio Television Hong Kong conducted a public opinion survey in August 2013. The results showed that the mainstream view (i.e. 60% of the interviewees) supported the extension of landfills. He pointed out that the ENB aimed to make every district share the responsibility of landfills and would fully utilise the restored landfills such as Gin Drinkers Bay, Ngau Chi Wan, Jordan Valley and Tseung Kwan O, etc.
(g)In conclusion, the Government would adopt a five-pronged approach under the principle of environmental protection in a pragmatic and proactive manner in order to preventany adverse influence on environmental hygiene due to poor waste management. The Government would adopt a pragmatic policy direction to reduce reliance on landfills using more waste-to-energy facilities. The Government had set an ambitious target to mobilise all sectors of the community to reduce Hong Kong's per capita MSW disposal rate by 40% within the next decade,andhad drawn up a detailed implementation schedule. In short, the management direction of the Government was to reduce the reliance on landfills, use the latest waste-to-energy (modern incineration) facilities, increase the proportion of waste recycling, and to widely disseminate the message that it was the responsibility of every one to reduce waste.
- The Chairman invited Members to express their views. The main points of their comments were as follows:
(a)Mr WONG Kin-shing asked the ENB how to implement the volume-based MSW charging scheme effectively, including how to levy the chargeon residents of three-nil buildings; how to handle the electricity generated by food waste processors; if the food waste processorswere used to produce organic fertiliser, how to assist the operator to export the products; and how to mitigate the nuisance caused to the community by recyclers.
(b)Mr Thomas NGconsidered that the blueprint seemed to focus on domestic waste management but he held that the volume of waste generated by the industrial and commercial sectors was larger. He indicated that many buildings in the C&W District were built on the hillside. The ENB should assist in solving the problem of a lack of proper waste collection spots. It should also enhancethe policy to reduce the waste generated by the industrial and commercial sectors at source.
(c)Mr Jackie CHEUNGobjected to the proposal of volume-based MSW charging. He opined that theGovernment had an undeniable responsibility for waste handling. The MSW charging would not only cause nuisance to members of the public, but would also discourage consumption. As a result, different components of normal economic activities would be adversely affectedand might even reduce the per capita income of Hong Kong. He suggested that the ENB should consider using environmentally-friendly incinerators to handle waste as it should not shift its responsibility for waste removal to the public through MSW charging. Furthermore, given the difficulty in implementation, it was hoped that the ENB should consider using other methods such as rewards instead of penalties to mandate source separation of waste.
(d)Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan opined that there was nothing wrong to reduce waste at source by economic means which were able to produce immediate and significant effects. However, to address the overall waste management problem, the environmentally-sustainable policy was to mobilise the community to separate and recycle waste. If the MSW charging scheme was eventually implemented, the burden ofmembers of the publicwould be aggravated. The ENB could therefore consider refunding part of the rates for handling waste to property owners. Besides, the ENB had to take the affordability of the grassroots into consideration. For instance, the charges for recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance should be waived. Furthermore, in order to genuinely reduce waste at source, the charges collected should be used to promote waste separation and recycling in the community.
(e)Dr Malcolm LAM supported the long-term strategy of turning waste into energy because landfilling and waste reduction at source alone could not solve the problem of waste management permanently. He considered that as the technology was already very advanced and safe, it could be used to generate electricity and reduce carbon emission. He opined that the direction of MSW charging was right but it would be very difficult to actually implement the policy. In view of this, he asked the ENB what implementation mechanisms and methods it had in place which were conducive to successful prosecution of offenders.