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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, at a media session after witnessing the signing of the contract for the sludge treatment facility in Tuen Mun today (October 27):
Reporter: Mr Yau, can you please explain what's so special about this project? Will it cause environmental problems and how do you reduce the smell?
Secretary for the Environment: This is a very good example whereby we can use modern technology to help reduce the waste we generate in our city. In itself, it is a sludge treatment facility, which is a treatment for the sludge that we produce from the water treatment. On the one hand, it improves the water quality in our harbour. At the same time, after treating all the sludge, it will reduce the amount of such materials ending up in our landfill. In a way, it will resolve the smell problem that we are encountering now. It is also a waste-energy project because in treating the sludge, energy will be produced. In addition to providing electricity for the operation of the plant, the surplus of energy will also be used for the community facilities to be installed in this place as well as being fed back to the grid. Last but not the least, it is also an opportunity whereby we can bring this new facility to incorporate some of the things the local community would like to see and like to have, including some heated pools, some recreational areas and a very nice sitting-out area which they can enjoy. Also it will incorporate an educational centre whereby people can see for themselves how the plant is being operated and take the opportunity to recognise what sort of problems we are encountering and what sort of solutions green and modern technology can provide.
Reporter: With a facility like this, do you need to extend the landfill now and build multiple incinerators?
Secretary for the Environment: I think the waste management problem is one that we have to tackle, regardless of which district you are living in. It is a common problem for which the entire community needs to take collective responsibility. Clearly, the project that we are showing the public today is a good demonstration that modern technology can bring in a much better solution. In addition to meeting the highest international standards to ease any concerns that people might have, it can also provide an opportunity whereby local community aspirations for facilities could be incorporated in the design. We hope this will present an example which signifies such a partnership and the way forward in tackling our waste management issues.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:32
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