********************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Kam-lam and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (February 28) :
Question:
At present, inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials produced in Hong Kong are delivered to the reception point at Guanghaiwan of Taishan, which is 160 kilometres from Hong Kong, for disposal and then for reclamation. Given that there will be many reclamation works along the coastal areas of the Pearl River Delta, will the Government inform this Council whether it will continue its negotiation with the mainland authorities to identify other feasible locations as reception points for C&D materials?
Reply:
Madam President,
Since the signing of the Implementation Scheme on Hong Kong Disposal of Inert Construction and Demolition (C&D) Materials between the Government and the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) in mid-2005, we have been actively liaising with SOA on the detailed arrangement for receiving inert C&D materials from Hong Kong. Last year, SOA designated a trial site in Guanghaiwan of Taishan to receive the materials. Thereafter, we invited tenders for material delivery and awarded a contract in end 2006, with a view to starting the delivery in the first half of 2007.
We will continue to liaise with SOA and explore other possible sites in the Mainland with SOA for the receipt of our inert C&D materials in light of the effectiveness of the delivery to Taishan.
Ends/Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:23
NNNN
