HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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In addition to our routine advice and enforcement, the Department assists in the removal of junk annually through the Block-to-Block Cleaning Phase of the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign.
As regards enforcement, there are adequate provisions under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances (UC) Bylaws to deal with the indiscriminate deposit of waste and the state of cleanliness of common parts of private buildings.
Under Bylaw 4(1) of the said Bylaws, summons action can be taken against any person found depositing waste/litter in the common parts of any building.
Under Bylaw 5 of the same Bylaws, if any waste or litter is deposited in the common parts of the building and if the author of the nuisance cannot be readily found, a notice in writing may be served either upon the occupier of the premises in proximity to the deposit, or in other situations upon the corporation concerned requiring them to remove the litter/waste deposit within a specified period of time. Failure to comply with the requirements of the notice is an offence.
The Department's basic position is as follows. Manpower is limited and, in terms of using it effectively, the priority concern must be in prevention of any public health hazards. As such, the focus must be given to organic deposits which give rise to public health risks if not removed. Certain deposits such as disused items including furniture, etc., are accorded a lesser priority by the Department although these may be a priority for other Government departments such as Fire Services Department.
MR. DANIEL WONG KWOK-TUNG (in English): Mr. Chairman, I am so glad to know under the Bylaws, we do have some power to help those helpless Owners Incorporations. But I have two supplementary questions which I want to ask. I understand that under Bylaw 5, a written notice can be served upon the occupants of the premises in proximity to the deposit. I wish to ask how large is the proximity? Are we talking about two metres, three metres or four metres? The second question I want to ask: could the Department issue the summons based on the information given by the Owners Incorporations or the Department can only issue the written summons, if they have the eye witness to point out who is the one to dispose that kind of garbage in the common area? Thank you.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, Mr. WONG'S supplementary questions concern technicalities in terms of implementation or enforcement. I don't have enough information off hand to answer Mr. WONG'S questions. I will liaise in great detail with the Department and then to furnish the information to Mr. WONG later.
MR. MA LEE-WO (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, Mr. PAO has just said that property owners had to be responsible for refuse collection and junk removal and I think nobody will object to this principle. But the practical problem is that not
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