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THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
SHUT DOWN THE AIR POLLUTING INCINERATOR IN KENNEDY TOWN, MUCH TO THE RELIEF OF LOCAL RESIDENTS;
IMPLEMENTED STATUTORY CONTROLS ON CHEMICAL WASTE AND OPENED THE LARGEST CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY IN ASIA;
BEGUN DETAILED DESIGN OF THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMMB FOR NEW SEWERAGE, WHICH WILL CUT POLLUTION IN THE HARBOUR IN DUB COURSE BY 70%;
WE HAVE ALSO:
SPEEDED UP THE PROGRAMME FOR PROTECTING SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY EXCESSIVE LEVELS OF NOISE;
.....
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INTRODUCED CONTROLS ON THE NOISIEST CONSTRUCTION LIKE COMPRESSORS AND HAND-HELD ROCK-BREAKERS;
EQUIPMENT
AWARDED THE CONTRACT FOR THE WESTERN NEW LANDFILL:
TERRITORIES
OPENED THE ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION;
DECLARED TWO FURTHER WATER CONTROL ZONES;
LAUNCHED THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CAMPAIGN; AND
EDUCATION
MADE SURE THAT ALL POLICY PROPOSALS AND PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ARE VETTED ENVIRONMENTALLY.
WE HAVE ALSO MADE IT A REQUIREMENT THAT ALL EXCO PAPERS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. AND OF COURSE WE CONTINUE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF FULL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS. THESE HAVE A VERY PRACTICAL IMPACT. THE PROPOSAL TO DREDGE MIRS BAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS ABANDONED AFTER THE EIA SHOWED IT WOULD DO GRAVE ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE.
SO WE HAVE MADE A START. AND OUR PROGRAMMES ARE GATHERING PACE. BUT SOME OF THE STRATEGIC PROGRAMMES - FOR SEWAGE AND SOLID WASTE FOR EXAMPLE WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE. BOME IN THE COMMUNITY ARE IMPATIENT FOR EARLIER RESULTS. THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
IN THE COMING MONTHS, THEREFORE, I WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE, ACROSS THE BOARD.
IN PARTICULAR, I WANT US TO CONCENTRATE ON:
+
BE NO RUBBISH
ONE, CLEANING UP THE NEW TERRITORIES. THERE CAN EXCUSE FOR THE GROWING EYESORE OF SCRAP METAL AND DUMPS THAT CLUTTER AN EVER WIDER AREA. WE HAVE GOT TO CONTAIN THEM. WE WILL BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS IN THE AUTUMN ON THIS ISSUE.
TWO, WHICH AIR. IN
TACKLING AIR POLLUTION. YOU CAN UP TO A POINT CHOOSE WATER TO DRINK. BUT WE ALL HAVE TO BREATH THE SAME WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS - 802 LEVELS ARE DOWN 40% THE LAST 3 YEARS, AND ARE DOWN 90% IN THE WORST PLACES. BUT WE CAN DO MORE, AND WE MUST DO MORE.
/-THREE, PREVENTING
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