​Site formation work at Shan Ha Tsuen in Yuen Long caused dust dispersion, which affected nearby residents, and construction waste was disposed of illegally. The person in charge of the work was fined $15,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 19) for contravening the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a report from a member of the public last November about mud from a construction site at Shan Ha Tsuen in Yuen Long being carried to a public road by dump trucks. Investigation by EPD staff found that there was bulldozing activity with the use of an excavator and the wheels of dump tracks were not washed before leaving the site, which caused dust dispersion. Construction waste was also found illegally deposited on nearby government land. Upon evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the person in charge of the work in accordance with the Regulation and the WDO.
      
     The spokesman said that site formation is classified as notifiable work and contractors are required to notify the EPD in accordance with the statutory requirements and adopt dust emission control measures, including the provision of wheel-washing facilities at the entrances and exits of construction sites, so as to prevent silt from vehicles polluting the environment. According to the Regulation, anyone who fails to notify the EPD before the commencement of notifiable works commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $25,000. Anyone who conducts construction works without adopting the measures stipulated by the regulation to prevent the dispersion of dust is liable to a fine of $50,000. Furthermore, under the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to dispose of construction waste on government land. Once convicted, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Ends/Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:30

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