HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It should not be inferred from the foregoing that all the refuse in the harbour or on bathing beaches originates from the dump, nor that the way to stop harbour pollution entirely is to enclose the dump with a rock bund.
As long as we must transport refuse from Hong Kong Island by water to the dump, so long must there be barge access to the dump face, but the following further measures to prevent refuse escaping from the dump have been planned. First:- Construction of a soft earth bund starting on the mainland side of the bay opposite the northern face of the dump, with fill available from a site formation contract in the area. Work has already begun. Secondly:- Application has been made for funds to extend the boom from its present 800 feet to 2,300 feet.
The intention is that when the ends of the two bunds have approached each other sufficiently closely, the gap will be covered by the floating boom, while still allowing a small gap for barge access.
In addition, since June this year the following measures have been taken with a view to immediate benefits:
(i) Dumping in deepest water along the dump face has been stopped, and whatever refuse has been transported by barge has been directed as far as possible to the most sheltered area of the dump. (ii) Refuse brought by vehicle is either being deposited on the existing surface of the dump or in shallower areas at the face where tidal effect is least.
For the longer term, Members will be aware of the decision to build a refuse incinerator in Kennedy Town which will begin burning all refuse from the Island in 1965. This will make it possible to discontinue dumping from barges at Gin Drinker's Bay. The possibility of incinerating all Kowloon refuse is being studied.
DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, I wonder what consideration has the Department given to the question of composting refuse?
CHAIRMAN: The matter is under study both in the Urban Services Department and in the Public Works Department. I am not in a position to say anything in detail, but I can say this: that if we have composting it will be ancillary to an incinerator for Kowloon.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:
To free our popular bathing beaches of refuse and other nuisances, will the Chairman state what actions are being taken by the Department to improve these public amenities?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
I will deal first with the floating refuse which finds its way to many beaches under certain tide and weather conditions. This refuse emanates from a variety of sources, amongst them industrial and trade premises, merchant ships, junks and sampans, and the Gin Drinker's Bay refuse dump. To prevent refuse entering the sea is clearly the first step, and I have just outlined the action which is being taken in regard to the dump. The department is also in touch with the Marine Department and is conducting a survey of sources of trade refuse.
Whenever floating refuse does find its way to a bathing beach the beach staff do all they can to remove it. For this purpose all beaches are equipped with long-handled scoops, and some with small nets for trawling through the water.
To augment these manual methods three catamarans were equipped last month with outboard motors and some of the beach staff trained to operate them. These motorized catamarans are now being used to drag refuse clearance nets at Shek O, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, South Bay and Middle Bay Beaches.
Turning to other beach nuisances I will refer briefly to noise and spitting.
The Bathing Beach By-laws are so worded that in practice no action can be taken to stop one beach user making a noise unless another beach user complains that it is annoying him. Members of the public are naturally reluctant to complain officially to the beach staff, and I propose to ask the Urban Amenities Select Committee to consider whether the time has not come to amend the By-laws in favour of those beach users who prefer peace and quiet. In particular I propose to ask the Committee to consider the desirability of forbidding the playing of transistor radios and other musical instruments on beaches.
Spitting on bathing beaches is prevalent despite the fact that it is an offence under the Bathing Beach By-laws. The eradication of spitting in public is a matter for long term
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Page 76 of 194
136
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It should not be inferred from the foregoing that all the refuse in the harbour or on bathing beaches originates from the dump, nor that the way to stop harbour pollution entirely is to enclose the dump with a rock bund.
As long as we must transport refuse from Hong Kong Island by water to the dump, so long must there be barge access to the dump face, but the following further measures to prevent refuse escaping from the dump have been planned. First:- Construction of a soft earth bund starting on the mainland side of the bay opposite the northern face of the dump, with fill available from a site formation contract in the area. Work has already begun. Secondly:-Application has been made for funds to extend the boom from its present 800 feet to 2,300 feet.
The intention is that when the ends of the two bunds have approached each other sufficiently closely, the gap will be covered by the floating boom, while still allowing a small gap for barge access.
In addition, since June this year the following measures have
been taken with a view to immediate benefits:
(i) Dumping in deepest water along the dump face has been stopped, and whatever refuse has been transported by barge has been directed as far as possible to the most sheltered area of the dump. (ii) Refuse brought by vehicle is either being deposited on the existing surface of the dump or in shallower areas at the face where tidal effect is least.
For the longer term, Members will be aware of the decision to build a refuse incinerator in Kennedy Town which will begin burning all refuse from the Island in 1965. This will make it possible to discontinue dumping from barges at Gin Drinker's Bay. The possibility of incinerating all Kowloon refuse is being studied.
DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, I wonder what consideration has the Department given to the question of composting refuse?
CHAIRMAN: --The matter is under study both in the Urban Services Department and in the Public Works Department. I am not in a posi- tion to say anything in detail, but I can say this: that if we have composting it will be ancillary to an incinerator for Kowloon.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :
137
To free our popular bathing beaches of refuse and other nuisances, will the Chairman state what actions are being taken by the Department to improve these public ameni- ties?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
I will deal first with the floating refuse which finds its way to many beaches under certain tide and weather conditions. This refuse emanates from a variety of sources, amongst them industrial and trade premises, merchant ships, junks and sampans, and the Gin Drinker's Bay refuse dump. To prevent refuse entering the sea is clearly the first step, and I have just outlined the action which is being taken in regard to the dump. The department is also in touch with the Marine Department and is con- ducting a survey of sources of trade refuse.
water.
Whenever floating refuse does find its way to a bathing beach the beach staff do all they can to remove it. For this purpose all beaches are equipped with long-handled scoops, and some with small nets for trawling through the To augment these manual methods three cata- marans were equipped last month with outboard motors and some of the beach staff trained to operate them. These motorized catamarans are now being used to drag refuse clearance nets at Shek O, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, South Bay and Middle Bay Beaches.
Turning to other beach nuisances I will refer briefly to noise
and spitting.
The Bathing Beach By-laws are so worded that in practice no action can be taken to stop one beach user making a noise unless another beach user complains that it is annoying him. Members of the public are naturally reluctant to complain officially to the beach staff, and I propose to ask the Urban Amenities Select Committee to consider whether the time has not come to amend the By-laws in favour of those beach users who prefer peace and quiet. In partic- ular I propose to ask the Committee to consider the desir- ability of forbidding the playing of transistor radios and other musical instruments on beaches.
Spitting on bathing beaches is prevalent despite the fact that it is an offence under the Bathing Beach By-laws. The eradication of spitting in public is a matter for long term
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