XN000022-1995-10-31 — Page 10

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More pollution complaint hotlines

The 24-hour pollution complaint hotline service provided by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will be expanded from this Thursday (November 2).

"Instead of having one single hotline, the department will be setting up six local pollution complaint hotlines to handle complaints on a district basis." Assistant Director of Environmental Protection, Mr John Boxall said.

This had been made possible following the setting up of Local Control Offices (LCOs), which had increased from two in 1991 to six this year, he said.

"The department has recognised the need to address environmental concerns of the community and to tackle what are primarily local pollution problems on a local basis," Mr Boxall said.

Each of the LCO was charged with the responsibility of handling pollution issues in certain districts, he said, adding that one of the main tasks was to respond to pollution complaints lodged by the public.

In 1994, EPD had dealt with 10,505 pollution complaints, with air and noise complaints making up some 92 per cent of all cases. Other complaints included water pollution, solid and liquid wastes disposal.

Of the total number, 2,463 complaints originated from Hong Kong Island, 1,780 from Kowloon and 3,841 from the New Territories. Kwai Tsing. Wan Chai and Yuen Long were the districts that generated the most complaints.

Under the new hotline system which will come into operation on Thursday, pollution complaints can be directed to the LCO in charge of the district where the pollution problem occurs.

"This will strengthen contacts with the local communities and reduce the time taken to respond to public complaints against pollution," Mr Boxall said.

The areas covered by LCOs and the six respective 24 hour local pollution hotline are as follows:

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