Author Archives: hksar gov

     The factory of Yau Sang Galvanizing (Hot-Dip) Company Limited at Yuen Long Industrial Estate directly discharged substandard wastewater into a communal sewer. It was fined $15,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (June 26) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).

     â€‹Having received a complaint last December about illegal discharge by the factory, Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff conducted a night-time blitz inspection at the hot-dip zinc factory and found that the factory did not deliver wastewater to its sewage treatment facility for proper treatment. Instead, the industrial wastewater was being directly discharged into the communal sewer. The EPD staff then collected wastewater samples for analysis and the results showed that the concentrations of iron and zinc were 5 200 milligrams/litre and 4 400mg/L respectively, which exceeded the upper limits of the WPCO licence by 207 and 879 times. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the company.
      
     An EPD spokesman said that members of the industry should properly collect and treat industrial wastewater to ensure that the effluent discharge meets the standards as set out in the WPCO licence before being discharged into communal sewers. Discharging industrial wastewater with high heavy metal concentration will affect the operation of the Government’s sewage treatment works. Under the WPCO, anyone who discharges commercial or industrial wastewater which exceeds the standard of the discharge licence into communal sewers commits an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 is 101.4 (same as yesterday’s index). read more

     â€‹Thai Chiu, a Thai restaurant on Fan Kam Road in Pat Heung, Yuen Long, discharged untreated wastewater into a nearby river and was fined $58,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (June 26) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).
     ã€€
     A blitz inspection was carried out by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff after receiving a complaint from a member of the public last December. It was found that untreated wastewater was discharged by the restaurant into the nearby river. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the operator of the restaurant, Thai Chiu (Global) Catering Management Company Limited, in accordance with the WPCO.
     ã€€
     The EPD spokesman said that the location concerned is an unsewered area. Anyone who directly discharges untreated wastewater will pollute nearby waterways and adversely affect public hygiene. The spokesman reminded the responsible persons of restaurants that they must install wastewater treatment facilities to properly treat wastewater before its discharge to avoid causing environmental pollution.
      
      Under the WPCO, anyone who discharges wastewater into a river commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. A maximum fine of $400,000 and six months’ imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions. read more

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (June 27). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements during the race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.
     
     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces
     
     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:
 
     The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee held its 37th meeting today (June 26). The Environmental Protection Department briefed the Committee on the full implementation of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
 
     The Committee also noted the work of its three task forces, namely:
 
(a) The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) briefed the Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF) on the voluntary labelling system for genetically modified (GM) food and the proposal on the introduction of pre-market safety assessment on GM food. The WRTF appreciated that the CFS had made efforts to ensure the safety of GM food and would take into consideration the trades’ views in finalising the proposal. 

(b) The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) briefed the WRTF on the overview of the performance of the Hong Kong tourism industry in 2017, the outlook for 2018 as well as its work plan for 2018-19. The WRTF welcomed the HKTB’s initiatives and efforts in promoting diversified tourism and maintaining visitor satisfaction levels, which would be conducive to boosting spending and sales.  

(c) The Water Supplies Department briefed the Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF) on the improvement measures to facilitate the timely processing of applications for water supply for catering premises. The FRSTF welcomed the department’s efforts to address the trade’s concern. 

(d) The Buildings Department and the FEHD were working together on a new measure to facilitate food licence applicants to retain existing signboards. The FRSTF and the Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF) appreciated this new business initiative.     

(e) The BLGTF appreciated the efforts made by the FEHD, the Home Affairs Department and the Hong Kong Police Force in streamlining the processing of licence applications for family amusement centres and providing greater flexibility in the deployment of game devices in these centres. 
       
     The Committee also appreciated the continuous efforts and achievements of the bureaux and departments in further enhancing their business licensing services under the “Be the Smart Regulator” Programme.  
 
     Papers for the Committee meeting are available at www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/bf/advisory/index.htm for public access. read more