ENG-1991 — Page 414

THE ENVIRONMENT

Several of the most promising projects considered under a Study on the Use of Underground Space were taken forward to detailed feasibility studies. One of these projects, an underground Refuse Transfer Station at Mount Davis, is in the detailed planning stage which will allow tenders to be called for the design, construction and operation of the facility early in 1993.

During the year, environmental impact assessments were made on the projected expansion of power plants in Hong Kong. These studies covered a proposed new 600 MW gas turbine generating plant at Penny's Bay on Lantau Island, expansion of the existing power station on Lamma Island, and a proposed new 6 000 MW station at Black Point. Mathematical modelling and wind tunnel tests were conducted to assess the impacts on the local marine environment and local and regional air quality in relation to selected sites under study, and to identify appropriate control measures.

A further major category of projects subject to detailed environmental assessment related to waste management facilities such as landfills, refuse transfer stations and waste treatment plants. These projects are managed by EPD, and must meet the same rigorous requirements for assessment as all other projects.

The findings of environmental impact assessment studies are now made available to the public and the Environmental Pollution Advisory Committee, in view of the increasing public interest in environmental issues.

Incompatible land uses were the main environmental planning issues addressed at the local and district levels. Considerable effort was expended on how best to rationalise redevelopment of selected urban areas without creating new problems. In this respect, the revised Environment Chapter of the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines has provided useful guidance. However, it has proved difficult to provide satisfactory environmental solutions to temporary and transitional problems associated with major redevelopment of some areas.

The lack of proper understanding of environmental risk and risk assessment in the past led to situations in which potentially hazardous installations (PHIs) pose a risk to nearby residents. Considerable progress has been made in identifying PHIs, and setting guidelines and procedures to manage their risks; and the government is now restricting developments in their vicinity. Regarding existing PHIs, an evaluation was completed on the potential hazards associated with the storage and use of liquid chlorine at the major water treatment works. Recommended improvement measures are being implemented with a view to achieving completion by 1993. Measures were initiated also by the Urban Services Department and the Regional Services Department to replace existing drums of liquid chlorine with smaller containers for use in swimming pool disinfection and to install chlorine gas detection systems. The departments are pursuing the use of alternative disinfectants for chlorine. Recommended measures for minimising the risks associated with the transportation of chlorine to the water treatment works were implemented progressively. The Shell Oil Company has been decommissioning LPG tanks at their Cha Kwo Ling oil depot as their new, safer site on West Tsing Yi has been developed. The EPD has been closely monitoring the progress of the decommissioning of the depot to ensure that no undue risk is caused to the existing and new large-scale residential developments surrounding Cha Kwo Ling.

Work on the implementation of a package of improvement measures recommended under the government's Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy has progressed, with

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