ENG-1994 — Page 480

THE ENVIRONMENT

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notices is an offence, liable to prosecution. During 1994, 2 394 complaints were in- vestigated; 280 noise abatement notices served; and 185 offenders were prosecuted. Fines on noise offenders ranged from $1,000 to $60,000.

Floating Refuse in the Harbour

Floating refuse constitutes an eyesore, a potential health hazard and a danger to vessels. The collection of floating refuse has been carried out by the Marine Department through a combined fleet of government and contract vessels. To further combat the problem, the government has explored the feasibility of both immediate and long-term measures.

Immediate measures identified can be classified into three main types prevention, collection and enforcement. As part of the prevention measures, more refuse collection receptacles have been provided in specific source areas, while publicity and educational activities have been increased. The refuse collection service has been intensified both in the harbour and in its littoral areas. Relevant government departments have also stepped up enforcement action.

The government will look at longer term solutions through collecting additional information about marine refuse; analysing their sources and possible means of controlling them; and deciding on the most cost-effective preventive and remedial measures to tackle the problem.

The Marine Department also plans to privatise all its marine refuse collection services in - a bid to provide a more modern and cost-effective collection service. The new service is

expected to be operational in early 1996.

Transport

Transport by road and rail can cause air pollution and noise nuisance, while shipping is more likely to cause water pollution through inappropriate waste disposal.

Large diesel vehicles are major contributors to territory-wide vehicle emissions. The government is developing control strategies that include up-to-date emission standards for large vehicles, and tightened inspection and maintenance requirements for certain classes of vehicles.

Since April 1991, all petrol stations must sell unleaded petrol, to ensure its availability for cars with catalytic converters. The market share of unleaded petrol, which is cheaper, was over 70 per cent by the end of 1994.

The Air Pollution Control (Vehicle, Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations, which became effective in 1992, require that all new vehicles of 2.5 tonnes or less must meet stringent emission standards. To comply, petrol-fuelled cars must be fitted with catalytic converter emission control devices and engine management systems. The regulations also require that all petrol-fuelled cars registered after January 1, 1992 must use unleaded petrol. Plans are in hand to lower the sulphur content of vehicle diesel fuel oil by 1995.

The existing scheme for reporting smoky vehicles was revised in October 1991. Smoky vehicles that are observed are now directed to take remedial action and to attend a designated testing centre to confirm that the smoke problem has been rectified. There are 19 centres in operation and they conducted approximately 43 000 smoke tests in 1994.

The government is also considering a scheme which will see the eventual replacement of diesel-powered taxis, public light buses and light goods vehicles by cleaner, unleaded

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