XN000022-1994-07-01 — Page 14

13

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1994

REVIEW OF STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME STAGE 11 OPTIONS

THE ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH PYPUN ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS LIMITED TO REVIEW OPTIONS FOR STAGE II OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME (SSDS).

THE EXISTING STAGE II PROPOSAL INVOLVES THE USE OF A LONG OCEANIC OUTFALL FOR MARINE TREATMENT OF DISCHARGES FROM THE STONECUTTERS ISLAND AND MOUNT DAVIS PRIMARY TREATMENT WORKS.

·

"THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY IS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING ADVANCES IN SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESSES SINCE THE SSDS WAS PROPOSED IN 1989 HAVE BEEN SUCH AS TO MAKE THE ORIGINAL DECISION TO USE OCEANIC DISPOSAL OF PRIMARY TREATED EFFLUENT LESS DESIRABLE OR IN ANY WAY INAPPROPRIATE, SAID ACTING PRINCIPAL, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER MR DAVID HALL.

"THE STUDY WILL REVIEW ALL THE AVAILABLE TREATMENT PROCESSES AND THEIR FEASIBILITY, SUITABILITY AND COSTS.

"ON COMPLETION OF THE STUDY, A REVIEW REPORT WILL BE PREPARED TO OUTLINE THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE ALTERNATIVES WITH THE DETAILED COSTINGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS, MR HALL SAID.

11

WASTE THEIR

IN LINE WITH THE STUDY, A PANEL OF THREE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WATER DISPOSAL FROM CHINA, EUROPE AND THE USA WILL PRESENT INDEPENDENT VIEWS ON THE ALTERNATIVES OF TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL THAT' HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE CONSULTANT, TOGETHER WITH THEIR OWN VIEWS ON THE EXISTING SSDS.

MONTHS.

THE STUDY, AT A COST OF $6.7 MILLION, WILL BE COMPLETED IN SIX

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS OF MUSIC OFFICE STAFF A PRIME CONCERN

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE EFFECT OF THE TRANSFER ON THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND WELFARE OF THE EXISTING STAFF OF THE MUSIC OFFICE REMAINED ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE COMING TO A DECISION EXERCISE.

IN THE

THE BRANCH IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF DISCUSSING WITH THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE SUBMITTED PROPOSALS FOR TAKING OVER THE MUSIC

OFFICE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT REMAINED AN OBJECTIVE OF THE BRANCH TO GO TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR A DECISION AS TO WHICH ORGANISATION SHOULD BE CHOSEN TO TAKE OVER THE MUSIC OFFICE.

/HE ADDED;