SEN visits Sai Kung District (with photos)
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Accompanied by the Chairman of the SKDC, Mr George Ng, and the District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr David Chiu, Mr Wong first visited Christian and Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Secondary School to learn more about its "green kitchen" project and other waste reduction measures. The school is committed to promoting environmental education for sustainable development, and has received a number of green awards including a Hong Kong Green School Gold Award presented by the Environmental Campaign Committee in 2015. It nurtures environmental awareness among students through various waste separation and recycling schemes. In recent years, the school has started to further promote "food wise" culture and waste reduction among students by adopting on-site meal portioning with the use of reusable cutlery and containers, and the provision of food waste processors to further reduce food waste.
Afterwards, Mr Wong departed for the restored Tseung Kwan O Stage I Landfill to visit the Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre, which is now under construction. On his way to the restored landfill, he went through Wan Po Road in Tseung Kwan O and was briefed by Mr Ng on environmental concerns of district residents.
Various recreational facilities have been successively developed at the restored Tseung Kwan O Stage I Landfill for public enjoyment, including a cycle track and a pedestrian footpath along the waterfront as well as a pet garden. To support sports development in Hong Kong, part of the restored landfill site was leased to the HKFA in 2016 for the development of the Football Training Centre, which is expected to be in operation in the first half of 2018.
Mr Wong said that with appropriate revitalisation, recreational facilities or other innovative proposals could be developed at restored landfills to benefit the public. The Government has set up the Restored Landfill Revitalisation Funding Scheme to optimise the revitalisation opportunities and turn restored landfills to gainful and beneficial uses for the community as soon as possible. According to the assessment results of Batch 1 of the funding scheme, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals has been invited by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to develop a detailed proposal to revitalise part of the restored landfill site into a campsite-cum-green education ground.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Wong met with SKDC members to hear their views on district environmental issues and the Government's environmental protection work. Mr Wong said that the modified implementation arrangements for municipal solid waste (MSW) charging as announced by the Environment Bureau last October received a positive response from the community. The Government will introduce the relevant bill into the Legislative Council as soon as possible and it is expected that MSW charging could be implemented towards the end of 2019 at the earliest. In addition, the EPD has recently launched a new round of the clean recycling publicity and public education campaign as well as a green event guidebook. Mr Wong called on the SKDC to make reference to the guidebook to enhance waste reduction when organising community activities. The Government will continue to co-operate with all District Councils and other stakeholders to actively promote waste reduction for all by following the practice of "Dump Less, Save More, Recycle Right".
Ends/Monday, January 8, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:50
Issued at HKT 17:50
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