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(c) if there is any intention to implement the second phase of the redevelopment project for Mong Kok Stadium.
May I first say, I understand that the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) plans to reschedule matches, as far as possible, to help minimize some of the problems outlined by Mr. YIM.
As regards the first part, there are site constraints which unfortunately preclude any major changes at the Mong Kok Stadium. However, I am pleased to report that agreement in principle has been reached with the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) and other Government departments, to increase the seating before the next football season starts in September. Present indications are that about 1,000 extra seats can be provided.
A feasibility study is now being conducted by the Architectural Services Department and meetings with the Police and Transport Department are being arranged to sort out other details.
Clearly for popular league matches there will be a shortfall in spectator capacity. So, it is recognized that other innovative measures may be necessary. A few suggestions have already been mooted. These include the possibility of using the Jockey Club's diamond screen facilities and revised arrangements for the sale of tickets. But, these are matters which first require more detailed consideration by the HKFA.
As regards the second part, Mr. YIM's concerns clearly need to be addressed. In this connection, departmental staff already have some experience in dealing with crowd control problems. They, and the HKFA, which has its own established links, obviously work very closely with the Police.
And, as I have already indicated, further discussions with the Police and Transport Department are already underway. So, in concert with the planned increase in spectator capacity, any associated security improvements should also be taken into consideration.
As regards the last part, the redevelopment of Mong Kok Stadium is a Government-funded project. I understand that the second phase is at present a Category C project in the Public Works Programme. Although the Government may consider upgrading this project, implementation would require the closure of the Mong Kok Stadium. So, even if the necessary resources were made available, whilst the redevelopment of the Hong Kong Stadium is underway, it would be impossible to start any work before mid-1994.
3. MR. YIM KWOK-ON asked the following question (in Cantonese):—This question concerns the rubbish bins in the streets of Mong Kok district.
I am very concerned and worried about the state of the rubbish bins around Nathan Road in Mong Kok district, because the rubbish bins in this area have always been there for the personal use of the nearby shopkeepers and households. As a result, the rubbish bins are always overflowing with hills of rubbish building up around them, making the place very unsightly. This not only causes inconvenience to pedestrians, but also poses a serious threat to public health. Mong Kok is a busy area with lots of commercial activities going on. If the streets are strewn with rubbish because of the overflowing rubbish bins, it will inevitably adversely affect the environmental health of the district, and will indirectly damage the image of the Urban Council which, as the authority on environmental health, has the unquestionable duty to keep the urban areas clean. Furthermore, at about 7 or 8 a.m. when cleaning workers have not yet started their cleaning work, there are usually vagrants or passers-by who collect some useful material from these bins for hawking purposes. In doing so, they frequently turn the rubbish out, resulting in the unpleasant scene of rubbish scattering all over the ground. In this connection, I would like to ask:
(1) What concrete measures will the Council take to deal with the abovesaid problem concerning rubbish bins, so as to safeguard the environmental health of the district?
(2) Will the Council consider prosecuting those who turn the rubbish out or put rubbish beside the bins as a means to maintain public health?
MR. PAO PING-WING, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):—This question concerning the state of litter containers around Nathan Road in Mong Kok District is in two parts.
The first part asks about the measures to be taken by the Council to deal with the overflowing litter containers in this area. This problem has received close monitoring by the Department and various measures have been or are being taken to improve the situation. Litter containers are normally placed on the street at approximately 60 metres intervals and there are a sufficient number of litter containers placed on the section of Nathan Road in Mong Kok District. These containers are emptied at least 6 times daily by cleansing staff. In addition, a mobile cleansing team will also be deployed to empty containers during periods of peak demand.
The fact that the opening hours of some of the major refuse collection points in Mong Kok, e.g., those in Nullah Road and Nelson Street, have been extended to 11:30 p.m. has also been helpful and has alleviated the problem of excessive amounts of refuse being deposited indiscriminately around litter containers.
As a further step to improve the situation, the Department has already placed a number of larger litter containers of 100 and 150 litres capacity on-street to replace the current 85-litre containers. These larger capacities will help to reduce overflowing, especially after 11:00 p.m. when the cleansing service is suspended. Moreover, the Department is also reviewing the design, quality, as well as the colour scheme of litter containers so as to improve both efficiency and appearance.
In respect of the second part of the question, the Department has regularly and frequently taken out prosecutions by the issue of summonses against offenders for depositing refuse outside litter containers. Offenders are liable
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