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Contractor prosecuted by EPD for illegal site formation and disposal of construction waste in Tin Shui Wai
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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today (August 16) that a contractor was convicted and fined $147,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts for the earlier illegal site formation work and disposal of construction waste opposite Kingswood Villas in Tin Shui Wai. Another defendant (an outsourced contractor) was absent and the hearing was adjourned to September 13.

     An EPD spokesman said that upon investigation, the site formation works were found to have not adopted measures required under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation to prevent the dispersion of dust. The EPD also found illegal disposal of construction waste on both government land and private land, violating the Waste Disposal Ordinance. The EPD prosecuted the contractor for nine offences under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and five offences under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, while the outsourced contractor was charged with one offence under the Waste Disposal Ordinance.

     The Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation specifies a series of construction works as notifiable works and stipulates the measures to be taken by various construction works to prevent the dispersion of dust. Anyone who fails to notify the EPD prior to the commencement of the notifiable works commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $25,000 on first conviction. Anyone who conducts construction works without adopting the measures stipulated by the regulation to prevent the dispersion of dust commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000 on first conviction. According to the Waste Disposal Ordinance, anyone who disposes of construction waste at government land or at lots without valid permission from the land owners is liable to a fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment on first conviction.

     The EPD reminds people taking part in any development works to comply with the legal procedures and requirements, and also urges those involved in the handling of construction waste to take necessary actions to prevent breaching of relevant laws or causing damage to the environment. Relevant government departments will take stringent enforcement actions against any illegal activity.
 
Ends/Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:55
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