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46.
The year also saw vigourous efforts to implement the
100 initiatives set out in the 1989 White Paper on Pollution. Cleaner air resulted from more stringent legislation compelling factories to reduce the sulphur
content of fuel oil. Control of factory and vehicle smoke
emissions was tightened, and planning was well advanced for
the introduction of unleaded petrol in early 1991.
47. The Water Pollution Control (Amendment) Ordinance was
brought into operation on 1 December, imposing stricter
controls and new standards on industrial discharges. As
part of the Waste Disposal Plan, the first Refuse Transfer
Station opened at Kowloon Bay, thus permitting the closure
of an urban landfill and an incinerator. A contract was
also awarded for the establishment of a Chemical Waste
Treatment Centre.
48. In a wider environmental context, the international ban
on ivory trading which came into force on 18 January 1990
severly affected workers and traders in ivory. It was
necessary for the Government to enter a six-month
reservation on Hong Kong's behalf to allow more time for the
orderly disposal of the local stock of legally-acquired ivory and for retraining ivory workers. Since 17 July 1990,
however, Hong Kong has complied fully with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
49. During 1989/90 public housing construction in the
Territory reached a record number of about 54,000 flats
compared to the private sector's total of about 34,000
flats. 99,000 people were offered new, subsidised accommodation under a comprehensive redevelopment programme and various other clearance programmes.
50. To satisfy the growing aspiration for home purchase, the Housing Authority expanded its home ownership programme.
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