XN000022-1996-01-25 — Page 16

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The LDC Section is mainly responsible for formulating and reviewing the resumption programme of LDC projects; assessment and payment of statutory and ex- gratia compensation offers and claims; and monitoring of consultants, litigation and Land Tribunal referrals.

It also advises the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands on the appropriateness of resumption action and handles public consultation and implementation of the resumption as well as all enquiries and complaints on LDC resumption matters.

End

West Kowloon Transfer Station contract signed

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) signed a contract for the development of the West Kowloon Refuse Transfer Station (WKRTS), which has the largest handling capacity of all the nine RTSs built or planned for the territory.

Located at the west Kowloon reclamation area, the transfer station will be built at a capital cost of about $627 million and with an annual operating cost of about $77 million.

The contract was awarded to the South China WMI Transfer Ltd, a joint venture of Waste Management International plc, CITIC Pacific Ltd and Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

As with other waste management projects, WKRTS will be developed under a 'design, build and operate" contract. The contractor will be responsible for the operation of the station for 15 years.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, EPD's Assistant Director, Mr Mike Stokoe, said: "The WKRTS will be capable of handling daily up to 2,500 tonnes of refuse arising from west Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing districts."

"Upon its commissioning in 1997, the Kwai Chung Incineration Plant, which is currently serving part of these districts and is the last of the old-fashioned incineration plants in Hong Kong, will be phased out, and thereby improving the surrounding environment.