XN000022-1995-04-01 — Page 2

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Measures to improve future co-ordination

in private sector/Government projects

The Government has completed its study on the report from the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints on the noise problem caused by pop concerts at the Hong Kong Stadium.

The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, who has personally considered the report, said that the Government accepts that there was a lack of overall co-ordination among various Government branches and departments during the construction of the project. She met recently with representatives of the Recreation and Culture Branch, the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, the Urban Services Department and the Environmental Protection Department to consider how, in future, co-ordination within Government branches and departments could be improved for projects of a similar nature.

In particular, Mrs. Chan has directed that the following measures be taken:

* in future, for similar projects i.e. those that are not being constructed under standard Public Works Programme procedures, a policy branch will be designated to be the overall co-ordinator from the outset to ensure that all established Government procedures including those governing noise and safety standards are complied with.

* a checklist of major issues relevant to the projects must be drawn up; and issues that cannot be resolved speedily must be brought to the attention of senior levels in Government with a view to solving them to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.

in planning projects of a similar nature, the Government's laid down procedures for application of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be followed; this is already the practice insofar as Government projects are concerned.

"I wish to assure the public that the Government will take every possible step to ensure that these measures are followed up, taking into consideration also the overall observations and recommendations in COMAC's report," Mrs Chan said.

"In the case of the Stadium, we accept that there was a lack of co-ordination on noise control although we must also bear in mind the very tight timeframe that had been set for completion of a complex project involving not only Government departments but also outside bodies.