ENG-2003 — Page 285

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Guidance on new vegetation mixes and new planting techniques for greening slopes was also given.

The Geotechnical Information Unit in the Civil Engineering Library houses the largest collection of geotechnical data in Hong Kong. The library is open to the public, and served more than 26 500 users during 2003.

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The department provides specialist geotechnical services to departments, including the provision of ad hoc geotechnical advice and conducting feasibility studies, detailed investigations, design and construction supervision for a wide range of public works projects. The projects handled by the department during the year included site formation works at Kong Sin Wan Tsuen, Pok Fu Lam; slope upgrading works at the former Victoria Barracks, Kennedy Road; site formation works for the Yam O Tuk Fresh Water Service Reservoir on Lantau Island, and the Ping Che Fresh Water Service Reservoir in Fanling; geotechnical works for the drainage project at San Tin; and geotechnical works for Stage III of the Shenzhen River Regulation Project. In addition, the department also provides construction. material testing and ground investigation services to support public works projects. The testing service is provided by the Public Works Laboratories. During the year, some 880 000 tests were carried out, and 20 000 metres of soil and rock were drilled.

Mining and Quarrying

The department enforces legislation relating to mining, quarrying and explosives, and administers quarrying contracts. It processes applications for the manufacture, storage, conveyance and use of explosives, and inspects stone quarries, blasting sites and explosives stores.

Hong Kong consumed 16.3 million tonnes of aggregates and other rock products in 2003. About 50 per cent of its demand for aggregates and rock products was met locally, with the balance imported from the Mainland.

One quarrying contract and two quarry rehabilitation contracts were in force during the year. The rehabilitation contracts require the operators to rehabilitate the quarries within a specified period, in return for the granting of rights to process and sell surplus rock excavated during the course of the works. The rehabilitation works involve recontouring and extensive planting to blend the quarries with the surrounding hillsides.

The department manages two government explosives depots (one at Kau Shat Wan on Lantau Island and the other at Piper's Hill, Sha Tin) which provide bulk storage facilities for imported explosives. It also undertakes the delivery of explosives from the depots to blasting sites and issues shotfirer certificates. About 2 100 tonnes of explosives were consumed in 2003, being used mostly for quarrying and site formation works.

The department also provides technical support to the Home Affairs Bureau and the Marine Department in assessing applications for fireworks displays.

Fill Supply and Mud Disposal

The Marine Fill Committee (MFC) is responsible for identifying and managing the supply of marine fill resources for development projects, and for managing disposal facilities for dredged and excavated sediment. The Public Fill Committee (PFC) has the duty to manage construction and demolition (C&D) materials and utilisation of

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