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The Urban Services Department (USD) has stepped up cleansing services at barbecue areas to clear the large amount of refuse left behind by the increasing number of users.

A USD spokesman said today (Wednesday), "During the Autumn barbecue season, the usage of barbecue pits at 10 Provisional Urban Council beaches has increased significantly, especially in the evenings during weekends and public holidays, resulting in a huge amount of refuse.

To ensure the cleanliness of barbecue areas and in support of the Government's "Healthy Living into the 21st Century" Campaign, USD has deployed extra manpower to clean up the barbecue areas with effect from this month. Beach staff will also put up extra notices and make announcement on an half-an-hour interval through loudhailers or public address systems to remind barbecue pits users to keep the area clean and that illegal dumping of refuse is subjected to prosecution.

The barbecue areas at Deep Water Bay Beach and Shek O Beach are the two most popular ones among the barbecue users. Over the last weekend, 13 tonnes and 15 tonnes of refuse were collected respectively at these two barbecue areas, representing an increase of 25 per cent to 30 per cent over those collected during non-peak seasons.

In view of the heavy usage, USD has provided additional cleansing services early in the morning from 4 am to 7 am on the days following Fridays to Sundays and Public Holidays to ensure that the facilities are clean and ready for use by others on the following day.

"The USD has also stepped up prosecution actions against offenders for illegal dumping of refuse at the barbecue areas and has increased its blitz operations in the evenings at all beaches to two times a month. Offenders will be liable for a maximum fine of $25,000 and an imprisonment of six months," the spokesman said.

The spokesman also reminded the public not to light fire in non-designated barbecue areas and to put the fire out before leaving the sites.

Besides, it is also important that users should cook their barbecue food thoroughly and separate the raw and cooked food in different containers to avoid cross contamination.

End/Wednesday, November 11, 1998

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