HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
19 July 1989
香港立法局
一九八九年七月十九日
116
Government to act but for all of us to act to make Hong Kong a cleaner and
better place to live.
Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.
DR. LEONG: Sir, I rise to speak in support of the aim of the White Paper on Pollution in Hong Kong A Time to Act. In particular, I would like to comment on the following issues:
(a) that Government acknowledges that in the past too little emphasis was
attached to the needs of environment pollution;
(b) that Government is serious in its commitment to save our environment
through a comprehensive 10-year plan to tackle pollution; the setting up of a new administrative framework to oversee the implementation of these comprehensive plans and the willingness in resources allocation;
(c) last, but perhaps most important, that Government is embarking on a planned long-term environmental educational programme to ensure that a more positive approach is taken on board for our future generations.
Sir, I would not be doing justice to the White Paper if I do not point out certain pitfalls and omissions in it, especially the lack of consideration of the impact of the working environment on health.
I would like to address noise pollution and health. Indeed, Hong Kong has become by academic standard the "noisiest" city in the world. An average Hong Kong citizen is exposed to excessive noise for some 17 hours a day, mainly from aircraft, construction works and road traffic. The latter, that is road traffic, accounts for probably the longest duration of sustained high noise level of 70 to 90 decibels, well exceeding the acceptable level of 60 dB.
The introduction of the Noise Control Ordinance by stages this year will hopefully see a progressive control of the noise problem from construction works.
Though comprehensive in its analysis of noise pollution, this White Paper, Sir, however, fails to address the issue of prolonged exposure to unacceptable
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.