Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹Renovation contractors of Sam Shing Commercial Centre in Tuen Mun were found carrying out works illegally on public holidays at the shopping centre. The two contractors concerned, Sunlight Electric Limited and Arco Decoration Limited, were fined a total of $20,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on June 12 and today (June 19) respectively for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a public complaint in November last year about the noise nuisance generated by renovation works at Sam Shing Commercial Centre. During blitz inspections conducted by EPD officers, it was found that the two contractors concerned did not possess a construction noise permit (CNP) issued by the EPD and they carried out works on holidays illegally. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the contractors concerned in accordance with the NCO.
      
     The NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest and to minimise noise nuisance. An EPD spokesman stressed that construction and renovation contractors should schedule works for the daytime of non-general holidays as far as possible to minimise disturbance to nearby residents. If the construction work has to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), the contractor has to obtain prior approval from the EPD. Contractors must also implement noise mitigation measures to minimise noise nuisance as per the requirement of the CNP. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions. read more

     â€‹Site formation work at Shan Ha Tsuen in Yuen Long caused dust dispersion, which affected nearby residents, and construction waste was disposed of illegally. The person in charge of the work was fined $15,000 at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (June 19) for contravening the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a report from a member of the public last November about mud from a construction site at Shan Ha Tsuen in Yuen Long being carried to a public road by dump trucks. Investigation by EPD staff found that there was bulldozing activity with the use of an excavator and the wheels of dump tracks were not washed before leaving the site, which caused dust dispersion. Construction waste was also found illegally deposited on nearby government land. Upon evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the person in charge of the work in accordance with the Regulation and the WDO.
      
     The spokesman said that site formation is classified as notifiable work and contractors are required to notify the EPD in accordance with the statutory requirements and adopt dust emission control measures, including the provision of wheel-washing facilities at the entrances and exits of construction sites, so as to prevent silt from vehicles polluting the environment. According to the Regulation, anyone who fails to notify the EPD before the commencement of notifiable works commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $25,000. Anyone who conducts construction works without adopting the measures stipulated by the regulation to prevent the dispersion of dust is liable to a fine of $50,000. Furthermore, under the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to dispose of construction waste on government land. Once convicted, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

  

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 19) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at St Stephen’s Beach and Shek O Beach in Southern District on Hong Kong Island and at Lower Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches. read more

     â€‹The Transport Department (TD) announced today (June 19) that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Macao Port Park-and-Ride Scheme (Macao PnR Scheme) will be open for applications from June 21 (Thursday).
      
     Under the Macao PnR Scheme, Hong Kong private cars shall park at the East Car Park of the HZMB Frontier Post at Macao Port (the Macao Car Park) which has around 3 000 car parking spaces. After completing the clearance formalities, visitors will be able to take other transportation from Macao Port to the city of Macao.
      
     The Macao PnR Scheme is open to owners of private cars registered and licensed in Hong Kong without quota restriction. Applicants must complete all formalities as required by the three Governments, including obtaining the valid licences and permits of the Hong Kong and Macao Governments and the Filing Records of the Mainland Government. To assist applicants, the TD will co-ordinate the applications for Hong Kong and Macao licences and permits, as well as those for the preliminary approval of Filing Records of the Mainland Government. With the applicants’ consent, the TD will pass the information of applicants, vehicles and drivers to the Macao and Mainland Governments for completing relevant formalities.
      
     Before making the first reservation of a car parking space, applicants are required to obtain the Closed Road Permit (CRP) issued by the TD and the Identification Label issued by the Macao Transport Bureau. Applicants may then reserve a car parking space at the Macao Car Park through the Macao Government’s designated online platform (hzmbparking.dsat.gov.mo). A reservation must be made at least 12 hours before departure. During the validity periods of the Identification Label, the CRP and the relevant vehicle licence and driving licence, Hong Kong private car owners may make multiple reservations for a car parking space.
      
     Before departing for the Macao Car Park, an applicant must purchase Macao and Mainland vehicle insurance as required by the respective laws and upload the Mainland insurance information at the Mainland’s online filing platform (bridge.zhcgs.gov.cn) for formal approval of Filing Records.
      
     The daily parking hours are divided into two 12-hour sessions. The minimum number of sessions for each reservation is one, and the maximum number of sessions is 16 (i.e. 192 hours). Each Hong Kong private car is allowed to enter and leave the Macao Car Park once during the parking period.
      
     Applicants can apply for the CRP issued by the TD, the Macao Identification Label and the Mainland preliminary approval of the Filing Records via www.gov.hk/macaopnr starting from 8am on June 21. Applicants must book an appointment at the above webpage if they wish to submit applications through a counter. For application details and procedures, please visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/hzmb_macao_port_parknride/index.html) or call 2804 2600.
      
     Drivers with anticipated frequent use of the Macao PnR Scheme may apply for a longer validity period of the CRP (the longest validity period is one year) and purchase Mainland vehicle insurance with a longer validity period, so as to save time for applying for a CRP, completing Filing Records and purchasing Mainland insurance after reserving the car parking space each time. The validity period of the Identification Label is three years. The eligibility of the applicants for the scheme is in the Annex. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
 
     The Electoral Affairs Commission will hold a public forum on June 21 (Thursday) on the proposed guidelines on election-related activities in respect of the Rural Representative Election.
 
     “Members of the public are invited to express their views at the public forum,” a Commission spokesman said.
 
     The forum will be held from 7pm to 8pm at Lung Hang Estate Community Centre, Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin.
 
     The proposed guidelines were released on June 12 for public consultation until July 11.
 
     Written representations can be sent to the Commission’s Secretariat by post to 10/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; by fax to 2511 1682; or by email to eacenq@reo.gov.hk before the deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.
 
     The proposed guidelines can be downloaded from the Commission’s website (www.eac.gov.hk). They are also available at the Registration and Electoral Office and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of District Offices.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2891 1001. read more