Following is a question by the Hon Lo Wing-lok and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (January 15) :
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council of:
(a) the criteria for determining the provision of public facilities such as mains water, footpaths and street lighting to residents in remote areas; and
(b) the measures in place to ensure that such facilities will not ruin the natural environment and landscape of the rural areas?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The criteria in determining the provision of public facilities to residents in remotes areas are broadly described as follows:
Access roads/footpaths
Request for provision of access roads/footpaths to remote areas would normally be processed by Transport Department/Home Affairs Department (HAD) based on merits of each case. Whether it is necessary to construct new access roads/footpaths in remote areas would largely depend on the condition of the existing village tracks connecting the remote areas to public roads. If the existing tracks are able to cope with the existing need, it may be sufficient for the Government to carry out minor improvement on the existing tracks. In case there is a need to construct new access roads/footpaths in remote areas, we would need to consider the request based on the observed/anticipated flows and public safety. Other factors to be considered would include the nature and scope of the request, the number of beneficiaries, resources affordability and the engineering feasibility taking the existing site constraints, environmental impact and the need for land resumption into consideration.
Village lighting
Each year, the Government would in consultation with the Village Representatives propose village lighting in remote areas, and submit the proposal for approval by a Vetting Committee on Public Lighting. The Vetting Committee would normally give priority to those villages with the maximum number of households benefited. Whilst the population served by the project is an important factor, public safety is also given due weight.
Water supply
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) has drawn up a list of remote villages to be provided with metered water supply in consultation with the HAD. In developing water supply schemes to these villages, WSD will look into factors such as reliability of local water source, whether or not the water source is polluted, hygiene and health conditions, locations of the villages in relation to the existing distribution system and engineering feasibility. The department will also take project justification, economic efficiency and resources constraints into account.
(b) For each project, the Government would identify at the planning stage issues affecting the countryside and the environment with a view to designing the works to mitigate the adverse impacts. Departments, such as Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and Environmental Protection Department, would be consulted where appropriate. Provisions would then be incorporated in the contract to avoid the contractor causing any damage to the environment. Compliance with these provisions would be ensured through strict site supervision by the Government. In case a project is classified as designated project under the Environmental Impact Assessments Ordinance, the project proponent would need to carry out a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and obtain the necessary environmental permit.
For those projects that would be carried out within country park areas, the project proponent would need to obtain the written consent of the Country and Marine Parks Authority ("The Authority"). In considering a proposed development, the Authority will assess the possible ecological, visual and landscape impacts to the country park. The Authority may also consult the Country and Marine Parks Board or its Country Parks Committee for advice where necessary.
In giving the consent, the Authority may also impose conditions governing the works within the country parks. These may include mitigation measures such as protection of trees and footpaths, site tidiness, colour of structures, restoration and landscaping etc. in order to ensure that any disturbed natural ground or vegetation shall be reinstated, and any damage to trails or country parks facilities shall be made good upon completion of works. The AFCD will closely monitor the works within country parks and the project proponent will be informed and requested to rectify any irregularities if found. The Authority may also suspend the works or take prosecution action if the project proponent refuses to rectify any noncompliance.
End/Wednesday, January 15, 2003
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