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THE ENVIRONMENT
evolved to meet the changing circumstances of Hong Kong. It advises the Secretary for the Environment on all aspects of environmental protection, and particularly ensures that the new environmental legislation is appropriate to Hong Kong in balancing the need for environmental improvement against the requirement that industry remains viable and competitive.
In 1980, EPCOM comprised 13 members, the majority of whom were prominent citizens including representatives of three major industrial organisations: the Chinese Manufac- turers' Association, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. At the beginning of the year, four special committees were es- tablished to examine specific areas of environmental protection and pollution, in detail, and to obtain a wider representation of views from experts, academics, members of the public, industrial organisations and government departments. The four committees were concerned with air, noise, land and water pollution, and legislation.
During the year, EPCOM considered a wide variety of reports, from landscaping aspects of new town developments in the New Territories, to Hong Kong's contribution to the World Conservation Strategy. The special committees were concerned with more specific subjects such as agricultural waste; marine pollution control; the effects of aircraft noise on schools; the control of construction noise; the lead content of petrol; the principles of air quality management; and a report on suspected air pollution incidents which affected school children in the industrial area of Kwun Tong in June, 1980.
A provision for consultations on environmental protection regulations and related matters is incorporated in all of the new ordinances and requires the Secretary for the Environment to consult EPCOM on all proposed regulations, environmental quality ob- jectives and standards. In addition, draft legislation is discussed with any organisations whose members may be affected by its enactment.
In 1980, the various special committees and major industrial organisations were involved in discussions on the Waste Disposal Ordinance, the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, the draft Air Pollution Control Bill, and the drafting of proposals for the Noise Control Bill. Whenever possible, changes were made to ensure that the legislation was workable, without detracting from its intended purpose of protecting the environment. Any residual problems were then put to EPCOM for its advice, before the proposals were finalised for submission to normal legislative procedures.
Noise Pollution
The legislation implemented in July, 1979, to control construction noise between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. every day, and all day on Sundays and public holidays, was supplemented during the year by the issue of a non-statutory set of guiding principles. These explained the calcula- tion of permissible noise levels for construction sites, based on the sensitivity of the area, the type of equipment used, and the times of operation.
The Director of Public Works is authorised, under the Summary Offences (Permitted Work) Regulations, to issue permitted work permits for a total period of 12 months to allow contractors to use powered mechanical equipment - other than for piling - during otherwise prohibited hours. Exemptions for longer periods, or for piling, require an order made by the Governor in Council.
A liaison group comprising representatives of the government and the Building Con- tractors' Association continued to meet to monitor progress, examine the guiding principles and to discuss the drafting of the sections on construction noise in the proposed Noise Control Bill.