9
The Central and Wan Chai Reclamation will produce land for the Hong Kong Terminal of the Airport Railway, the extension of the Convention and Exhibition Centre and a new road to relieve traffic congestion. Only 23 per cent of the new land would be used for commercial or residential purposes.
While disputing a suggestion that the harbour was shrinking, the Secretary noted that the harbour had already expanded westwards very considerably.
"Beyond the container port in Kwai Chung, we will be developing a new container port on Northeast Lantau which will eventually have four terminals and 17 berths and providing new cargo-handling facilities at Tuen Mun for the fast-growing river trade."
On the environment, Mr Eason said the Government would introduce further measures to combat air and noise pollution in the coming year.
These will include cleaner diesel with lower sulphur content, more stringent vehicle emission standards for new vehicles with effect from April 1, a proposed scheme to require all light duty diesel vehicles to be replaced by petrol vehicles using catalytic converters and unleaded petrol, programmes to control emission of in-use vehicles through higher penalties for smoky vehicles and a comprehensive vehicle inspection and maintenance programme, regulations to control air pollution by construction dust and open burning of wastes, possible legislation to impose noise emission standards on new vehicles and to control false activation of car burglar alarms and noisy construction works.
A consultancy study will soon be commissioned to develop a comprehensive management plan for Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay following the earlier announcement of the Government's intention to seek its listing as a Ramsar site and the Marine Parks Bill has been submitted to the Legislative Council for consideration, Mr Eason said.
"All this show that we are making good progress in making Hong Kong a cleaner and greener place to live in," he said.
End/Tuesday, March 14, 1995
Page 10Page 11