Press Release
Educational programme on HATS kicks off
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) today (July 21) launched an environmental education programme on Stage 2 of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS).
The education programme is part of the activities to tie in with the public consultation on HATS Stage 2 which will last until November 20.
Comprising exhibitions, talks, performances and quizzes, the programme aims to enhance public understanding of HATS Stage 2.
More than 200 environmental protection ambassadors from schools, property management agents, owners' corporations, community organisations and companies attended a briefing session on HATS Stage 2 after the kick-off ceremony which was held at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The ambassadors will help bring back the messages of the consultation exercise and encourage the public to express their views on the way forward for HATS Stage 2.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, said HATS Stage 1 was now treating 75% of the sewage generated from both sides of Victoria Harbour.
"Since the full implementation of HATS Stage 1 in December 2001, the harbour water quality has improved considerably, especially for the eastern and central parts of the harbour.
"However, the remaining 25% of the sewage is still being discharged into the harbour almost untreated. The existing Stage 1 is also insufficient to handle sewage flow increase from further population growth in the future. As this is not sustainable environmentally, there is a need to implement Stage 2," she said.
The Government recommends implementing Stage 2 in two phases in order to bring further improvement to the harbour as early as possible.
Stage 2A will comprise extension of the deep tunnel network to collect and convey the remaining 25% of the sewage for proper treatment, expansion of the existing chemical treatment capacity of the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (SCISTW) and provision of disinfection.
Under Stage 2B, the Administration suggests building biological treatment facilities at a site in the vicinity of the SCISTW.
It is proposed to implement Stage 2B when the actual need arises. The Government will closely monitor the actual sewage flow and the harbour water quality, as well as make preparations for Stage 2B in parallel with implementation of Stage 2A.
Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibitions to be held at the following venues.
| Date |
Venue |
| July 21 and 22 |
Main Concourse of Ocean Terminal |
| July 31 and August 1 |
Olympian City II, West Kowloon |
| August 11 to 13 |
Central Pier 4, Central |
| August 21 and 22 |
World Trade Centre, Causeway Bay |
| September 4 and 5 |
Marina Square, Ap Lei Chau |
| September 12 |
The Westwood, Western District |
| September 26 |
Cityplaza, Quarry Bay |
| September 29 |
Tsuen Wan Plaza, Tsuen Wan |
Performances, talks and quizzes will be arranged during the exhibitions to be held at Olympian City II, The Westwood, Cityplaza and Tsuen Wan Plaza.
Officiating guests at today's ceremony also included the Chairman of the ECC, Mr Joseph Lee; the Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment), Mr Keith Kwok; the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Mike Stokoe and the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Raymond Cheung.
Other activities to tie in with the consultation exercise cover a public hearing to collect public views and in-depth briefings for key stakeholders such as green groups, academics, professional bodies and community representatives.
The consultation document can be downloaded from www.cleanharbour.gov.hk. It is also available at the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, the EPD and all District Offices.
Ends/Wednesday, July 21, 2004
|
