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The Government has proposed legislative amendments to the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354) (WDO) to further enhance the effectiveness of enforcement against unauthorised depositing of construction and demolition (C&D) materials on private land.
"The amendment aims to further combat the illegal depositing of abandoned C&D materials on private land and enhance inter-departmental co-ordination in enforcement actions," a spokesman of the Environmental Protection Department said today (February 22).
Improper depositing of C&D materials on private land may violate land use and planning controls, and may also cause environmental hygiene problems, drainage or watercourse blockage, noise or dust nuisance and pollution. The proposal therefore seeks to address increasing public concern over such illegal activities.
"Under the proposal, a new notification mechanism will be put in place which requires landowner(s) to notify Government departments in advance of intended depositing of abandoned C&D materials on their private land," the spokesman said.
With the notification mechanism, relevant departments could remind parties concerned of the relevant statutory requirements which will help prevent the occurrence of illegal activities.
Besides the legislative amendment, the Government has also introduced a number of measures and is also making concerted efforts to tackle the problems which often cut across different policy areas.
The paper setting out the amendment proposal has been uploaded to the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/files/consultation_paper.pdf). The public may forward their views and comments to the EPD by May 22 by post, email or fax:
By post: Environmental Protection Department, Waste Management Policy Division, Room 4622, 46th floor, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Hong Kong
By email: wdo@epd.gov.hk
By fax: 3121 5762
Ends/Monday, February 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:51
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