A grab-mounted lorry driver who illegally dumped construction waste at Tung Tsz Valley, Tai Po, and was reported by a member of the public was fined a total of $4,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 28) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a member of the public in mid-May last year about illegal dumping activities at Tung Tsz Valley, Tai Po, adjacent to the Education University of Hong Kong. The member of the public also provided video clips and photos captured during the incident to assist the EPD's investigation. With the captured licence plate mark and the reported information, the EPD was able to trace the driver involved. After evidence gathering, the driver was prosecuted in accordance with the WDO.

     An EPD spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness illegal dumping of waste by vehicles. They can provide relevant information such as videos or photos of the offence and the vehicle involved via the EPD hotline 2838 3111 to help combat illegal dumping activities.

     The spokesman also reminded members of the renovation, construction and transportation sectors that demolition waste as well as commercial and industrial waste should be delivered to the Government's waste treatment facilities, such as public fill banks or landfills, for proper disposal in accordance with the legal requirements. Under the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to dispose of waste in public places, on government land or without the permission of land owners. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (March 31) to facilitate a public order event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

A. Road closure

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 3pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Westbound Hennessy Road;
– Queensway;
– Rodney Street;
– Harcourt Road; and
– Northbound Tim Mei Avenue.

     If necessary, westbound Harcourt Road service road between Rodney Street and Cotton Tree Drive will be closed from about 3pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic from United Centre bus terminus must turn left to westbound Drake Street; and
– Traffic along westbound Harcourt Road near the exit of Harcourt Garden car park will be diverted to westbound Harcourt Road flyover.
     
     Vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave car parks along the route during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Saturday (March 30) to facilitate a public order event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

A. Road closure

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 4pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Westbound Hennessy Road;
– Queensway;
– Rodney Street;
– Harcourt Road; and
– Northbound Tim Mei Avenue.

     If necessary, westbound Harcourt Road service road between Rodney Street and Cotton Tree Drive will be closed from about 4pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic from United Centre bus terminus must turn left to westbound Drake Street; and
– Traffic along westbound Harcourt Road near the exit of Harcourt Garden car park will be diverted to westbound Harcourt Road flyover.

     Vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave car parks along the route during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     â€‹A renovation company and a male staff member of the company were convicted of engaging in wrongly accepting payment, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), on March 14 at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts. The renovation company was fined $30,000 on the same day while the male staff member was sentenced to 80 hours of community service order today (March 28). This is the first successful prosecution in which a trader had wrongly accepted payment in the sale of renovation service.

     Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging that a male staff member of a renovation company had engaged in unfair trade practices in the sale of demolition service. 

     After investigation, it was revealed that during a site inspection, the male staff member was aware that the materials of the rooftop structures were under statutory control and a notice was required to be submitted 28 days prior to the commencement of the works. However, at the time of accepting payment from two consumers, the staff member promised to complete the works on a schedule which would last for less than 28 days. The staff member eventually failed to complete the demolition works on schedule.  

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops. 

     Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. 

     Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, March 28, 2019 is 103.4 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).