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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):

Question:

It has been reported that the method of refuse collection currently used in public housing estates and Home Ownership Scheme ("HOS") courts often involves spills and emission of foul odours from refuse chutes, refuse storage chambers and refuse containers, and the transportation of refuse also gives rise to environmental hygiene problems. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the districts where complaints were lodged about spills and emission of foul odours from refuse chutes, refuse storage chambers and containers and the areas adjoining elevators for disposing of refuse in public housing estates and HOS courts over the past three years, and how these complaints have been handled;

(b) whether it has prescribed the monthly cleansing frequency of refuse containers in public housing estates and HOS courts; if it has, of the details;

(c) as the Housing Authority agreed in 1998 that, except in special circumstances, all public housing developments with more than 2,400 domestic flats and scheduled for completion after 1 January 2001 would be provided with an Automated Refuse Collection System ("ARCS") and that the feasibility of retrofitting the facilities in both existing estates and those under construction would be studied, of the progress of the provision of these facilities by the authorities, and whether a timetable has been set by them for such provision in all public housing estates and HOS courts in the territory; and

(d) whether it will consider providing additional elevators specially designed for transporting refuse in public housing estates and HOS courts which could not be installed with ARCS; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

As required by the Housing Department, large refuse bins at the refuse storage chambers and refuse collection points of public housing estates and Home Ownership Scheme courts under its management must be washed once a day, while the rubbish bins placed in public areas such as the lift lobby on each floor should be washed once every two weeks. Where necessary, estate or court managers will ask cleansing contractors to step up the frequency.

In the past three years, there were complaints from public housing estates and Home Ownership Scheme courts in all districts about spills and emission of foul odours from refuse chutes, refuse storage chambers and containers, and the areas used for refuse disposal adjacent to elevators. On receipt of complaint, Housing Department will carry out inspection to identify the causes of the problem. The causes may vary, including cracks in the refuse chutes, blockage of refuse chutes, insufficient cleansing and accumulation of rubbish in refuse storage chambers. Appropriate follow-up actions such as emergency repairs of any damaged facilities and tighter supervision of cleansing contractors will be taken depending on the nature of the problem. If the nuisance arises from residents' improper disposal of rubbish or leakage of garbage bags, notices will be posted to enlist tenants' co-operation in maintaining environmental hygiene.

Since Housing Authority's decision in 1998, Automated Refuse Collection System has been installed in three newly completed public housing estates (namely, Wah Lai Estate in Kwai Chung and Tin Heng Estate and Tin Yat Estate in Yuen Long) and three Home Ownership Scheme courts (namely, Choi Ming Court in Tseung Kwan O, Yu Chui Court in Sha Tin and Lai Yan Court in Kwai Chung). Another seven housing projects under construction will also be provided with this system. However, in view of high costs of installation and operations, the Housing Authority is now reviewing the cost-effectiveness of such system.

Retrofitting Automated Refuse Collection System in existing housing estates would involve extensive works such as excavation, refuse chute modification, construction of central transformer room and diversion of underground utilities. Given the high installation costs and prolonged construction period, it is not cost-effective to retrofit such facility. Similarly, installation of additional elevator for transporting refuse in existing public housing blocks would involve complex and costly works, including foundation works for additional lift shaft or lift tower and diversion of underground utilities, etc. Some tenants will also need to be relocated in order to make room for the lift lobby and shaft. In view of these considerations, we will not retrofit Automated Refuse Collection System or refuse elevators in existing public housing estates and Home Ownership Scheme courts.

Meanwhile, to enhance estate cleanliness and environmental hygiene, Housing Department has recently implemented a series of measures to improve the refuse collection arrangements. Garbage bags are provided to tenants since June to facilitate proper handling of rubbish. Refuse collection hours are adjusted to suit the circumstances of individual estates, while refuse storage chambers are opened or additional refuse containers provided to facilitate rubbish disposal outside the designated collection hours. To reduce stench and improve the environment, a newly developed biochemical odour removal device will be installed in the refuse collection points of public housing estates. Where necessary, roof covers for refuse collection points will also be installed. These measures should be able to abate effectively the nuisance arising from refuse collection.

End/Wednesday, June 11, 2003

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