Minutes of the 1st Meeting of the
Food, Environment, Hygiene & Works Committee (2014-2015)
Central and Western District Council
Date
:
Time
:
Location :
16th January 2014
2:30 p.m.
Conference Room
14/F, Harbour Building
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
Present:
Chairman
Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney*
District Council Members
Mr CHAN Choi-hi*
Mr CHAN Ho-lim, Joseph*
Mr CHAN Hok-fung*
Ms CHENG Lai-king*
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan
Mr CHEUNG Yick-hung, Jackie*
Mr HUI Chi-fung
Hon IP Kwok-him, GBS, JP
Miss LO Yee-hang
Mr KAM Nai-wai, MH*
Miss SIU Ka-yi*
Mr MAN Chi-wah, MH
Mr NG Siu-keung, Thomas, MH, JP*
Mr WONG Kin-shing*
Mr YIP Wing-shing, BBS, MH, JP*
Co-opted Members
Mr CHAN Wing-hang*
Mr LI Po-ming
Mr LUI Hung-pan*
Ms NG Hoi-yan, Bonnie*
Mr YEUNG Ho-kei*
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming*
Remarks: *
( )
Guests
(2:30 pm – 5:24 pm)
(2:30 pm – 2:42 pm
5:02 pm – end of the meeting)
(2:30 pm – 4:14 pm)
(2:30 pm – 6:05 pm)
(3:45 pm – end of the meeting)
(2:30 pm – 5:13 pm)
Members who attended the whole meeting
Time of attendance of Members
Item 7(i)
Mr YIP Ming-bor
Mr WONG Yiu-wah
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Highways Department
-1-
District Environmental Hygiene
Superintendent (Central/Western)
Chief Technical Officer/West
Mr SHIH Yung-chi
Drainage Services Department
Mrs CHEUNG CHOY Buildings Department
Suk-ling, Aka
Environmental Protection
Mr LAW See-hon, Sean
Department
Item 7(ii)
Mr CHEUNG Hoi-yin
Mr CHU Kwai-ching
Item 8
Mr KWAN Tung-hoi
Mr WONG Ka-lok
Mr CHEUNG Hoi-yin
Mr CHU Kwai-ching
Item 9
Mr HO Lai-wa
Mr WONG Lap-chi
Mr LAM Heung-kan
Mr LEE Kin-wai
Item 10
Mr YUK Wai-fung
Mr LAM Kwok-wai,
Simon
Mr HO Lai-wa
Mr WONG Lap-chi
Mr LAM Heung-kan
Mr LEE Kin-wai
Senior
Environmental
Protection
Officer (Regional South) 1
Drainage Services Department Engineer/Project Management 9
AECOM Asia Company
Senior Resident Engineer
Limited
Highways Department
Drainage Services Department
Drainage Services Department
AECOM Asia Company
Limited
District Engineer/West
Senior Engineer/Project Management 3
Engineer/Project Management 9
Senior Resident Engineer
Water Supplies Department
Water Supplies Department
Water Supplies Department
Water Supplies Department
Senior Engineer/Hong Kong 2
Engineer/Hong Kong (Distribution 2)
Engineer/Consultants Management (15)
Engineer/Consultants Management (11)
Efficiency Unit
Efficiency Unit
Project Adviser
Chief Management Services Officer
Water Supplies Department
Water Supplies Department
Water Supplies Department
Water Supplies Department
Senior Engineer/Hong Kong 2
Engineer/Hong Kong (Distribution 2)
Engineer/Consultants Management (15)
Engineer/Consultants Management (11)
Item 11
Ms CHEUNG Suk-ling, Transport Department
Cindy
Ms YEUNG Lok-kei, Transport Department
Kiki
Mr Li Kwong-wai, Paul New World First Bus Services
Limited
Mr Wong Kin-fu, Keith Leadtops Raymond Ltd.
Item 12
Mr YIP Ming-bor
Engineer/Central and Western 1
Building Surveyor/A3-SD
Mr Tsang Chi-bun
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr TSE Pui-hung
Hong Kong Police Force
-2-
Senior Transport Officer/Bus/HK 2
Engineer/Wan Chai 2
Head of Engineering
Assistant Project Manager
District Environmental Hygiene
Superintendent (Central/Western)
Central District Assistant Police
Community Relations Officer
Neighbourhood Police Coordinator,
Mr TO Man-fai
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr FAN Ka-yin
Hong Kong Police Force
Item 13
Mr YIP Ming-bor
Police Community Relations Office
(Central District)
Western District Assistant Police
Community Relations Officer
Western District Neighbourhood Police
Co-ordinator
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
District Environmental Hygiene
Superintendent (Central/Western)
Mr MOK Chi-wo
Mr CHOI Yiu-kwok,
Kent
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Housing Department
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
District Environmental Hygiene
Superintendent (Central/Western)
Property Service Manager/S(KWH) 5
Deputy District Leisure Manager(Central
& Western)2
Item 15
Mr LAW See-hon,
Sean
Environmental Protection
Department
Senior Environmental Protection Officer
(Regional South) 1
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
District Environmental Hygiene
Superintendent (Central/Western)
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
District Environmental Hygiene
Superintendent (Central/Western)
Deputy District Leisure Manager(Central
& Western)2
Item 14
Mr YIP Ming-bor
Item 16
Mr YIP Ming-bor
Item 17
Mr YIP Ming-bor
Mr CHOI Yiu-kwok,
Kent
In Attendance
Miss CHOW Ho-kiu, Central and Western District
Cheryl, JP
Office
Mr CHAN Yun-man, Central and Western District
Winston
Office
Ms WONG Ming-wai Central and Western District
Office
Ms YEUNG Lai-ching, Central and Western District
Regent
Office
Mrs CHEUNG CHOY Buildings Department
Suk-ling, Aka
Mr LAM Chi-ming,
Lands Department
Kempis
(District Lands Office, Hong
Kong West and South)
Mr Tsang Chi-bun
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr TSE Pui-hung
Hong Kong Police Force
-3-
District Officer
Assistant District Officer
Senior Executive Officer (District Council)
Senior Executive Officer (District
Management)
Building Surveyor/A3-SD
Senior Estate Surveyor/Central
Central District Assistant Police Community
Relations Officer
Neighbourhood Police Coordinator, Police
Mr TO Man-fai
Mr FAN Ka-yin
Hong Kong Police Force
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr YIP Ming-bor
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Mr CHOI Yiu-kwok, Leisure and Cultural Services
Kent
Department
Mr TSANG Kam-fung, Civil Engineering and
Harry
Development Department
Mr LAW See-hon,
Environmental Protection
Sean
Department
Secretary
Miss YIP Kit-wai,
Angel
Central and Western District
Office
Community Relations Office (Central
District)
Western District Assistant Police
Community Relations Officer
Western District Neighbourhood Police
Co-ordinator
District Environmental Hygiene
Superintendent (Central/Western)
Deputy District Leisure Manager(Central &
Western)2
Engineer 11 (Islands Division)
Senior Environmental Protection Officer
(Regional South) 1
Executive Officer (District Council) 3
Absent with Apologies
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai,
Stephen, BBS, JP
Dr Malcolm LAM
Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed Members and representatives from government departments to the
1st meeting of the Food, Environment, Hygiene & Works Committee (FEHWC) (2014-15).
The Chairman also welcomed Mr Kent CHOI, Deputy District Leisure Manager (Central &
Western) 2 of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) who was the
replacement of Ms TAM Yin Ting. In addition, the Chairman welcomed Mr Harry TSANG,
Engineer 11 (Islands Division) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department
(CEDD) who attended the meeting on behalf of Ms Doris YAU, Senior Engineer 8 (HK
Island Division 1), Mr TO Man-fai, Western District Assistant Police Community Relations
Officer of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) who attended the meeting on behalf of Mr
Billy CHING, Police Community Relations Officer (Western District), and Mr Tsang
Chi-bun, Central District Assistant Police Community Relations Officer of the HKPF who
attended the meeting on behalf of Mr LAU Kar-ming, Police Community Relations Officer
(Operations 2)(Central District) who was on leave. Moreover, he welcomed the six new
Co-opted Members to the meeting for the first time.
Item 1: Adoption of Agenda
(2:30 pm)
3.
The agenda was revised on 15 January 2014.
agenda was adopted.
-4-
Members had no comments and the
Confirmation of the minutes of the 11th meeting of FEHWC on
17 October 2013
(2:31 pm – 2:32 pm)
Item 2:
4.
Members had no comments on the minutes of the 11th meeting of FEHWC and the
minutes were confirmed.
Confirmation of the minutes of the 1st FEHWC special meeting on
9 January 2014
(2:32 pm – 2:33 pm)
Item 3:
5.
Members had no comments on the minutes of the 1st special meeting of FEHWC and
the minutes were confirmed.
Item 4: Reports of the Chairman and working groups
(2:33 – 2:35 pm)
6.
The Chairman said that the reports of working groups had been passed to Members
on 8 January. Moreover, the Secretariat had passed the following papers to Members
through circulation:
No.
83/2013
84/2013
85/2013
86/2013
87/2013
88/2013
15/2014
Document Title
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Anti-mosquito Campaign 2014 (Phase 1) in the Central and
Western (C&W) District
Funding Application of Working Group on Greening and
Beautification Works in the C&W District: Green Old
Buddies 2013
Funding Application of Working Group on Greening and
Beautification Works in the C&W District: “Green
Promotional Stalls” of Hong Kong Flower Show 2014
The FEHD Anti-rodent Campaign 2014 (Phase 1) in the
C&W District
The FEHD progress report of minor works in the C&W
District
The FEHD Year-end clean-up Campaign 2014 in the C&W
District
Renovation Works of the Public Toilet at Star Ferry
Multi-storey Car Park by the FEHD
Circulation Date
23 December
31 October
1 November
28 November
3 December
10 December
2 January
Item 5: Terms of reference, organisation and composition of FEHWC (2014-15)
(2:35 pm – 2:37 pm)
7.
The Committee endorsed that the FEHWC of this year should continue to adopt the
terms of reference (Annex I of C&W FEHWC Paper No. 5/2014), organisation and
composition of the FEHWC (2012-13) (Annex II of C&W FEHWC Paper No. 5/2014).
Item 6:
Composition and related arrangements of the working groups under
-5-
FEHWC(2014-15)
(2:37 pm – 2:44 pm)
8.
The Committee endorsed that the terms of reference (Annex I of C&W FEHWC
Paper No. 6/2014) and composition of the FEHWC (2012-13) (Annex II of C&W FEHWC
Paper No. 6/2014) be adopted for various working groups for the time being. The working
groups could revise the terms of reference but the revisions concerned had to be submitted to
the Committee for approval.
9.
The Committee endorsed the formation of the following four working groups as
more than four Members joined them and the chairmen were elected at the meeting as
follows:
Working Group
Working Group on Greening and
Beautification Works in the C&W District
Concern Group on the Development of
Markets in the C&W District
Concern Group on Urban Renewal Projects
in the C&W District
C&W District Environmental Protection
and Improvement Working Group
Chairman
Dr Malcolm
LAM
Mr WONG
Kin-shing
Ms CHENG
Lai-king
Mr Joseph
CHAN
Nominator
Mr Sidney
LEE
Ms CHENG
Lai-king
Mr WONG
Kin-shing
Mr Sidney
LEE
Seconder
Mr CHAN
Choi-hi
Mr HUI
Chi-fung
Mr HUI
Chi-fung
Mr YIP
Wing-shing
Item 7: (i) Standing item – Bad smell problems with the drains in Belcher Bay
(2:44 – 2:45 pm)
10.
Miss Cheryl CHOW, District Officer (Central and Western) reported that various
departments would continue with the repair, maintenance and clearance of drainage as well as
the follow-up work of misconnection of drainage systems in private buildings.
Item 7: (ii) Standing item – Progress of local sewerage works
(2:45 pm – 2:50 pm)
11.
Mr CHEUNG Hoi-yin, Engineer/Project Management of the Drainage Services
Department (DSD) reported to the Committee that since the last report, 6 projects were
completed, 8 projects were in progress and 5 projects were expected to commence in the next
six months. In response to the recommendations of the FHWHC at the last meeting, the
department had stated the revised completion date of the drainage works in the paper.
12.
The Chairman asked Members to raise questions and express their views, which were
summarised below:
i.
Mr Joseph CHAN asked the department the reasons for not reporting the
progress of the drainage improvement works at the upper reaches in the C&W
District.
-6-
ii.
The Chairman said the paper indicated that a number of projects would be
completed in March 2014, but the report of the department indicated that 5
projects were expected to commence in the next six months. He asked the
department to give an account of the schedule of the upcoming works.
13.
Mr CHEUNG Hoi-yin said that as the drainage improvement works in the upper
reaches in the district had been completed, they would not be reported again.
14.
Mr CHU Kwai-ching, Senior Resident Engineer of AECOM Asia Company Limited
pointed out that the department expected to complete the works in the first quarter of 2014,
and therefore the anticipated completion dates of most of the projects stated in the paper were
March 2014.
15.
The Chairman indicated that Members had raised questions on the works at upper
reaches at the last meeting. He proposed that Members should submit papers to the FEHWC
for the DSD to follow up if they had any enquiries about the drainage improvement works at
the upper reaches. Moreover, the agenda item would be reported for the last time at the next
FEHWC meeting if the department could complete all the works by March 2014.
16.
Mr CHU Kwai-ching added that as the result of the trial run implemented last week
was unsuccessful, the two projects No. S4A and S4B would be delayed. The department
would report the latest progress of the works at the next FEHWC meeting.
17.
The Chairman suggested the concerned departments submit supplementary
documents before the meeting to accurately indicate the completion dates.
Item 8:
Concern over the arrangement of claims for residents suffering from losses
caused by main burst
(2:50 – 3:10 pm)
18.
The Chairman asked Members to raise questions and express their views, which were
summarised below:
i.
Miss LO Yee-hang asked the DSD when the investigation of main burst and the
drainage rehabilitation works would be completed. She also asked whether
the report would be submitted to the FEHWC for perusal upon completion of
the investigation. Miss LO Yee-hang appreciated that DSD and contractor
promptly solved the problem after the incident had taken place. She hoped
that the department would continue to render assistance to the affected
residents to claim for their losses.
ii.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming appreciated the prompt response of the DSD in
handling the incident. He pointed out that, however, no department had taken
responsibility for the incident so far. He hoped that the DSD would render
assistance to the residents to claim for their losses.
iii.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that the department concerned should expedite the
processing of claims, and requested the DSD to provide a complete report on
the incident.
-7-
19.
Mr WONG Ka-lok, Senior Engineer/Project Management 3 of the DSD responded
that the DSD’s project consultant and contractor representative had sent officers to the
affected units on the material day to inspect the situation. The contractor had provided
emergency aid to residents on the material day and in the following days, including solving
the electricity problem and cleansing the affected units, etc. The loss adjuster appointed by
the insurance company had sent officers to visit the affected residents and units on the day
after the incident had taken place in order to inspect the situation of property damage for
follow-up action. In response to Miss LO Yee-hang’s enquiry, the contractor and project
consultant had provided general information about the incident to loss adjuster for
investigation. The loss adjuster indicated that the investigation was expected to be
completed by late February and the responsibility would be clarified. The DSD would
follow up the incident proactively. He said that as the incident was under investigation, the
DSD would, upon completion of the investigation, seek legal advice and contact the insurance
company and contractor, to see whether it was possible to disclose the findings of the
investigation. Moreover, the DSD and WSD had had a meeting to review the points to note
for the future works. He hoped that the drainage works would be completed by March.
20.
The Chairman asked Members to raise questions and express their views, which were
summarised below:
i.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi remarked that the DSD should submit the report as soon as
possible and expedite the process of claims.
ii.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming pointed out that an owners’ corporation (OC) had told
him that the external wall of the property was affected. He requested the
DSD to follow up the claims.
iii.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung said that the DSD should enhance contingency
management. For instance, when an unpredictable incident happened, the
DSD should turn off the stopcock as soon as possible to minimise the loss of
residents.
iv.
Miss LO Yee-hang indicated many waterworks and drainage works were in
progress in the C&W District. She proposed that the DSD should prepare a
contingency plan to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.
21.
Mr WONG Ka-lok responded that the DSD had obtained the general information.
The insurance company would process the claims upon completion of the investigation by the
loss adjuster and clarification of responsibility of the incident. In response to Mr YEUNG
Hok-ming’s enquiry, he had been informed that the OC would appoint an insurance company
for estimation and recovery of damages. Relevant parties could have further discussions
later. In response to Mr CHAN Hok-fung’s enquiry, the DSD had liaised with the WSD
after the incident had taken place to get information of the distribution of stopcocks. The
DSD would coordinate with the WSD on the works in the future.
22.
Mr CHU Kwai-ching, Senior Resident Engineer of AECOM Asia Company Limited
said that as the OC could not be reached to confirm whether the letter related to the claims
had been received, a copy of the letter issued by the loss adjuster to the OC had been passed
to the OC through the management company.
-8-
23.
The Chairman concluded the discussion by requesting the DSD to submit a summary
report of the incident, remedial measures in the future as well as the clarification of
responsible of the incident.
24.
The following motion proposed by Miss LO Yee-hang, Mr YEUNG Hok-ming, Mr
IP Kwok-him, Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, Mr CHAN Hok-fung and Miss SIU Ka-yi was
unanimously adopted after voting:
Motion: “Strong request for streamlining the procedures of claims regarding
accidents occurred in the course of public works by the Government in order to
safeguard the interest of residents adversely affected by such accidents”
(22 Members voted for the motion: Mr Sidney LEE, Dr Malcolm LAM (authorised
Mr YIP Wing-shing to vote on his behalf), Mr YIP Wing-shing, Mr CHAN
Hok-fung, Mr IP Kwok-him, Mr KAM Nai-wai, Mr Stephen CHAN (authorised Mr
Sidney LEE to vote on his behalf), Mr CHAN Choi-hi, Ms CHENG Lai-king, Mr
MAN Chi-wah (authorised Mr YIP Wing-shing to vote on his behalf), Miss LO
Yee-hang, Miss SIU Ka-yi, Mr Thomas NG, Mr WONG Kin-shing, Mr CHEUNG
Kwok-kwan, Mr Jackie CHEUNG, Mr CHAN Wing-hang, Mr LI Po-ming, Mr LUI
Hung-pan, Ms Bonnie NG, Mr YEUNG Ho-kei and Mr YEUNG Hok-ming)
(0 Member voted against the motion)
(0 Member abstained from voting)
Item 9:
Concern over the large-scale suspension of water supply in Western District
on New Year’s Day
Arrangement for replumbing works as soon as possible to avoid recurrence of
suspension of water supply due to dilapidated water pipes
(3:10 pm – 4:04 pm)
25.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming supplemented the contents of the paper. He said that the
WSD had indicated on the day after the incident, i.e. 1 January that water supply would be
resumed in the afternoon, but it was not until 2 January that water supply was resumed. He
asked for the reasons for the late resumption of water supply.
26.
Mr HO Lai-wa, Senior Engineer/Hong Kong 2 of the WSD gave a PowerPoint
presentation to give an account of the cause, development and contingency measures of the
incident.
i.
A fresh water main with a diameter of 18 inches at 79 Pokfulam Road near
Haking Wong Building of the University of Hong Kong burst on 31 December
2013. The water main concerned had been in use for over 30 years, and it
was believed that the incident happened due to pipe ageing.
ii.
Only light machinery could be used in course of maintenance due to congested
utility services and installations in the vicinity of the burst water mains, and
therefore
the maintenance works was affected to a certain extent.
According to the assessment at that time, the maintenance works took around
12 hours, i.e. it was anticipated that the works would be completed by 3 pm on
-9-
1 January 2014.
iii.
Having considered that there was a greater demand for water supply from small
hours to the afternoon of the New Year’s Day of 2014, the department decided
to turn off the stopcock near the burst water main to minimise the areas
affected. However, in the afternoon on 1 January 2014, the department found
that as two of the stopcocks malfunctioned due to ageing, the stopcock of the
Western Fresh Water Service Reservoir must be turned off to facilitate the
maintainence works.
iv.
Moreover, to reduce the impact on members of the public who had to go to
school and work on 2 January 2014, the department tried to reopen the road as
far as possible before 6 am on 2 January. Meanwhile, the department also
maintained close liaison with the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre
of the Transport Department (TD).
v.
When the incident happened on 31 December, the department immediately
deployed 2 water wagons, 8 water tanks and 2 temporary standpipes to provide
temporary fresh water supply. In the afternoon on 1 January 2014, the
department deployed 4 water wagons and 30 water tanks having regard to the
extension of the affected areas.
vi.
As for the mechanism of information dissemination, the WSD, at 5 p.m. on 1
January, issued a press release and made a public announcement on emergency
water suspension through the media such as radio.
vii.
As for the contingency measures, the water main heading for Aberdeen at Pok
Fu Lam Road had been included in phase IV of the Water Main Replacement
Programme, and the department was striving for early commencement of the
project. Meanwhile, the department also welcomed Members to give advice
on contingency measures such as the locations of water tanks and water
wagons.
viii. As for the future improvement measures, the WSD would enhance its
information dissemination mechanism. The department had rolled out a new
mobile application (WSD Mobile App) at the end of December 2013 to provide
the latest information on water supply to the public. Meanwhile, the
department would also consider notifying DC Members and DC committee
Members through Whatsapp when there was large-scale emergency water
suspension in the C&W District in the future.
27.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung enquired of the department about the number of water
tanks, water wagons and temporary standpipes and how the appropriate
number was determined. He also asked the department in what way the
residents affected by the incident could know about the actual affected areas
and the locations for water taking.
- 10 -
ii.
Mr IP Kwok-him said that the department should try to provide useful
information and limited fresh water to the public as far as possible after the
accident had taken place. He noted that the WSD had tried its best to solve
the problem this time, but he advised the department to pay attention to how it
could avoid the problem of water tanks running out of water. He also asked
the department when it could solve the problem of water main ageing in the
district.
iii.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that the FEHWC had a discussion about the
notification mechanism regarding the main burst at Hill Road two years ago.
Yet, the WSD did not learn from the experience. He proposed that the WSD
should expand its notification mechanism and improve the arrangement of
contingency measures.
iv.
Ms CHENG Lai-king suggested that WSD should adopt a clear notification
mechanism. For the broadcast of the emergency water suspension in Western
District, many members of the public were unable to get hold of the actual
locations of water suspension.
v.
Mr Joseph CHAN proposed that the WSD should notify Members of the
district council concerned and strengthen communication with them in case of
emergencies, so that Members could, during emergencies, help the
Administration give an account of the situation to the building management
companies and residents in the district, and provide information to the
Administration for improvement of temporary traffic arrangement.
vi.
Miss SIU Ka-yi proposed that the WSD should arrange a contingency measure
as soon as possible in order to speed up handling similar incidents.
Meanwhile, she welcomed the App and Whatsapp notification mechanism
proposed by the WSD and suggested that the department should enhance
publicity. Moreover, she also advised that the Central and Western District
Office (C&WDO) should provide contact details of buildings to the WSD for
emergency communications.
vii.
Mr WONG Kin-shing expressed dissatisfaction with the speed of handling the
incident. He suggested that an interactive function could be added to the
Whatsapp notification mechanism proposed by the WSD. For example,
Members could reflect their view on the locations of water bowser and water
tank. Moreover, he pointed out that the WSD should make reference to the
notification mechanism of the flooding incident in Sheung Wan. In addition,
he supported that Members should give advice to the WSD on the locations of
water wagons and water tanks. He considered that it was necessary for the
WSD to coordinate with other departments to solve the traffic problem after the
incident had taken place.
viii. Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan supported the notification mechanism proposed by
the WSD and requested early implementation of the mechanism. Mr
CHEUNG Kwok-kwan asked the WSD how many places were prone to main
burst.
ix.
Mr LI Po-ming proposed that WSD should directly give an account of the
details to the public in the course of the incident and after it had happened.
- 11 -
x.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming pointed out that at noon on 1 January, the WSD had
found that the stopcock of the Western Fresh Water Service Reservoir must be
turned off. Yet, the WSD did not have a comprehensive plan and make the
incident widely known to the residents, and thus the department had committed
a policy mistake. He indicated that the ageing water mains from Bonham
Road to Pok Fu Lam Road and Centre Street had not been replaced yet. He
suggested that the WSD should learn from the experience. A contingency
plan should be prepared for similar incidents in the future. He agreed that the
C&WDO should provide the contact details of OCs to the WSD. He pointed
out that the water tank outside Kwong Fung Terrace was running out of water
at 4 pm on 1 January. Water supply was resumed at 10 pm. No WSD
officers had inspected or checked the water tanks during the interval.
xi.
Miss LO Yee-hang concurred with Mr WONG Kin-shing’s proposal. The
WSD should make reference to the notification mechanism of the flooding
incident in Sheung Wan and make enhancements accordingly. She also
suggested that the district offices (DO) should assist in co-ordination and notify
the DC members of the concerned district.
xii.
Mr KAM Nai-wai pointed out that the residents were furious at the WSD’s
approach to handle the incident. He was also dissatisfied with the WSD’s
performance in precaution, follow-up action and message dissemination. He
did not mind if the WSD was to deliver messages to DC Members, but he
considered that the most effective means was television broadcasting, advising
members of the public to browse the WSD’s website for details about the
location of mains burst and contingency measures.
xiii. Mr YIP Wing-shing hoped that WSD would speed up the pipe replacement
works. He pointed out that the messages disseminated by the WSD were
confusing. He suggested that the WSD should strengthen communication
with DC Members.
xiv. The Chairman indicated that many DC Members answered enquires from the
public on the spot on the material day. He did not know whether the WSD
had deployed officers to take up co-ordination there. He had found it difficult
to contact the WSD on that day.
28.
Mr HO Lai-wa responded that he would meet the management to review the views
from Members. In response to Mr CHAN Hok-fung’s enquiry, he stated that there were 30
water tanks in the Hong Kong district, while the WSD had 10 water wagons. Equipment
could be deployed from other districts for emergency use if necessary. Regarding Mr
CHEUNG Kwok-kwan’s enquiry, he pointed out that there were no figures about the number
of places which were prone to main burst. Relevant information would be collected and
supplemented after the meeting. He made an apology to the affected residents. Meanwhile,
the WSD would implement contingency measures as soon as possible.
29.
The Chairman indicated that all Members had complained about the deficiencies of
the department’s notification mechanism in dealing with emergencies, instead of being in
support of the Whatsapp notification system proposed by the department. He suggested that
the WSD should strengthen communication with DC Members. He considered that this
incident had caused inconvenience to the whole Western District. The WSD should not play
down the incident.
- 12 -
30.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung indicated that the WSD did not respond to the enquiry
about how the number of water tanks and water wagons to be arranged was
determined. Mr CHAN Hok-fung asked the WSD how it could convey a
clear message to the residents.
ii.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming was extremely dissatisfied with the WSD’s response.
He repeated his question by asking the department whether there was a
mechanism to deploy officers to inspect the water tanks and check whether
they were filled with water. Moreover, he pointed out that the water tanks
arranged on that day were inadequate. Many residents had to walk a very
long way to take the water home, and thus this caused inconvenience to them.
iii.
Ms Bonnie NG pointed out that the WSD had 10 water wagons. She asked
why the WSD only deployed 4 water wagons on that day, without fully
utilising the resources for residents’ convenience. She pointed out that she
had called the WSD hotline for enquiry, but the telephone operator was unable
to provide clear instructions. She asked the WSD what mechanism was
available to notifying residents of the locations of water tanks and water
wagons.
31.
Mr LI Po-ming asked whether the WSD would submit papers after the meeting to
give an account of the causes of the incident and improvement measures in the future to the
public.
32.
In response to Mr LI Po-ming’s enquiry, Mr HO Lai-wa responded that the WSD
could submit papers to give an account of the incident to the public. He responded to Mr
CHAN Hok-fung that the number of water tanks and water wagons depended on the impact
boundary. Moreover, he clarified that there were totally 10 water wagons in Hong Kong.
In response to Mr YEUNG Hok-ming’s enquiry, he said that the WSD had a guideline, stating
that officers were required to inspect water tanks and check whether they were filled with
water, and the department would review the manpower deployment. He expected that there
would be more opportunities to exchange views on issues such as the locations of water tanks
with Members in the future. In response to Ms Bonnie NG’s enquiry, he pointed out that the
WSD had announced the locations of water tanks and water wagons through instant news.
33.
The Chairman proposed that the Secretariat should record in detail the discussions at
this meeting, and write to the Director of Water Supplies (DWS) with the minutes of this
meeting attached, to request the WSD to give an account of its contingency measures and
notification mechanism for emergencies in the future.
Moreover, the Chairman
supplemented that Ms KWAN Wai-ying, who submitted the paper, was no longer a member
of the new term of the FEHWC, and thus it was endorsed at the meeting that the record of her
submission of papers would be cancelled.
Item 10: Concern over the sudden suspension of water supply in the vicinity of Kwong
Fung Terrace on 13 December 2013 and request for service improvement to
the Government hotline number 1823
(4:04 pm – 4:25 pm)
- 13 -
34.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Ms Bonnie NG asked when the incident happened. She said that she had
called the WSD to enquire about the follow-up action on that day, but found
that reply service was not available at the WSD hotline. So, she would like to
know the reason behind. In the meantime, she asked the department why it
could install standpipes to temporarily provide fresh water to affected residents
in this incident, but no related facilities were provided to Kwong Fung Terrace
residents during the emergency water suspension in the Western District.
ii.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi remarked that Government’s hotline number 1823 (1823)
should additionally handle enquiries about the WSD. Moreover, he asked
about the identity and contact method of the WSD officer who was responsible
for coordination of the C&W District so that Members could have direct
contact with the officer.
iii.
The Chairman proposed that the Efficiency Unit (EU) should provide
additional telephone lines for 1823 with a view to handling enquiries from the
public during emergencies.
35.
In response to the question of Ms Bonnie NG, Mr HO Lai-wa, Senior Engineer/Hong
Kong 2 of the WSD reported that the department was informed of the main burst by the
HKPF at 8:29 pm. He said that the WSD had, with regard to the impact boundary, arranged
temporary fresh water supply for the residents as far as possible. He apologized for the
hotline’s failing to answer the call from Ms Bonnie NG on that day.
36.
Mr YUK Wai-fung, Project Adviser of the EU, apologised for failing to provide
immediate service to the public by 1823. He explained that 1823 mainly provided two kinds
of services, that is, handling enquiries and complaints. For enquiry service, relevant
departments should register with 1823 and provide information before it could render
assistance. Regarding complaints, 1823 would receive and handle complaints against all
government departments. He pointed out that three calls related to the WSD had been
received on that day, among which two had selected the category of enquiries. As the WSD
did not join 1823, the hotline could not provide relevant services to the public. The
remaining one had selected the category of complaints, and yet the call was not answered as
the lines were busy. He said that the EU would enhance publicity of the 1823 service, and
study the Chairman’s proposal to provide additional lines for 1823 so as to handle enquiries
and complaints by categorisation. However, it was reflected from the experience of foreign
countries that the public would only call the complaint hotline when they found that the
enquiry hotline was busy. He considered that providing additional telephone lines would not
help solve the problem.
37.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr KAM Nai-wai asked the department how it could determine whether an
incoming call was an enquiry or a complaint.
- 14 -
ii.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming pointed out that at the last FEHWC meeting, the WSD
reported that it had replaced the main pipe of the water main in the vicinity of
Water Street and Third Street, and thus he asked whether the main burst at
Third Street this time was caused by branch pipes. Moreover, he hoped that
the WSD would provide information on pipes that were not yet replaced at Hill
Road, Water Street and Third Street.
38.
Mr YUK Wai-fung agreed that it was difficult to define an enquiry and a complaint.
It was mainly determined by the callers themselves, but in principle the department hoped to
categorise the phone calls and prioritise the handling of complaints.
39.
Mr HO Lai-wa responded to Mr YEUNG Hok-ming that a private fire main burst in
the incident. As both the burst and the stopcock were within private areas, it took some time
to turn off the stopcock.
40.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr Jackie CHEUNG was dissatisfied that the WSD did not respond to the
enquiry of Mr CHAN Choi-hi concerning the notification and accountability
mechanism of the incident. He asked whether the WSD could set up a
mechanism to inform DC members of the district concerned of the
person-in-charge of the WSD as well as the approach adopted to handle the
incident within one hour after an unforeseen incident had taken place. If the
department could not give an immediate response, he suggested writing to the
DWS to request a reply.
ii.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming asked the WSD whether it could provide information
on the branch pipes that were not yet replaced at Hill Road, Water Street and
Third Street after the meeting.
41.
Mr HO Lai-wa responded to Mr YEUNG Hok-ming that he could provide the
information on the branch pipes that were not yet replaced after the meeting. In response to
the enquiry of Mr CHAN Choi-hi, he said that the notification mechanism was also
mentioned in the paper. The department would also discuss the issue concerned and notify
Members when appropriate.
42.
The Chairman responded to the question of Mr CHAN Choi-hi, saying that it was
stated in the one-stop contact list that Mr LEUNG Chung-lap was the WSD representative
who was in charge of the C&W District. The Chairman concluded the discussion and
requested the WSD to, after the meeting, provide information on the notification mechanism
for handling emergencies as well as the information on the branch pipes that were not yet
replaced at Hill Road, Water Street and Third Street. The Chairman suggested the 1823
review the possibility of increasing manpower or providing additional telephone lines to solve
the problem of unavailability of service caused by overload of telephone lines.
Item 11: Reprovision of Bus Servicing Site for New World First Bus Services Limited
underneath Flyover at Connaught Road West
(4:25 pm – 5:09 pm)
- 15 -
43.
Ms Cindy CHEUNG, Senior Transport Officer/Bus/HK of the TD briefed the
Committee on the contents of the paper which were summarised below:
i.
The New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) had an existing bus depot
of around 2,000 square feet at Victoria Road. It provided refueling and bus
cleansing services for around 80 buses of 34 bus routes serving the C&W
District and the northern shore of Hong Kong Island every day. As the
CEDD had to carry out ground decontamination works in Kennedy Town to
vacate the site for other development purposes later, the NWFB had to move
out and demolish the bus depot in Kennedy Town by the end of 2014 so as to
vacate the land for the CEDD to commence the works concerned. Under such
circumstances, it was necessary for the NWFB to identify another site to
relocate the Bus Servicing Site (BSS).
ii.
When considering the sites for relocation, the following major factors would be
taken into account: (a) the BSS should be built on level terrain with suitable
vehicular access to the road system; (b) the BSS should be centrally located in
relation to bus terminal facilities to minimise dead mileage; and (c) the possible
impacts on nearby residents brought by the back-end support services of the
BSS.
iii.
Having considered the factors of various fronts, the site at the south of Western
Fire Services Street, Sheung Wan and underneath the flyover at Connaught
Road West was the most suitable for relocating the BSS. The NWFB had
filed an application earlier to the District Lands Office, Hong Kong West and
South of the Lands Department (LandsD) to rent the above site under a short
term tenancy (STT) (i.e. a three-year tenancy, renewed on a quarterly basis) for
relocating the BSS for refueling and bus cleansing purposes.
44.
Mr Keith WONG, Assistant Project Manager of the Leadtops Raymond Limited,
briefed Members on the details of the disposition of the BSS, which were summarised below:
i.
The BSS at Connaught Road West occupied an area of around 2 000 square
metres. The facilities included 1 diesel fuel filling station for buses, 2 surface
diesel fuel storage tanks with a total capacity of not more than 45 800 litres,
automatic bus washing machines, control rooms as well as electrical and
mechanical equipment rooms. No bus maintenance works would be carried
out in the BSS at Connaught Road West and only back-end services such as
bus cleansing and refueling would be provided.
ii.
The NWFB had conducted and completed the fire safety risk assessment for
the BSS at Connaught Road West. The assessment revealed that the level of
fire risk of the BSS was categorised as low, and both the Fire Services
Department (FSD) and the Highways Department (HyD) had no adverse
comments on the assessment result upon approval of the report concerned.
The NWFB would comply with the requirements of the relevant government
departments and the law to ensure fire safety.
iii.
Buses entered and left the BSS at Connaught Road West between around 11
pm and 2 am. As both the entrance and exit of the BSS were located at
- 16 -
Western Fire Services Street and there were no residential buildings nearby, the
impact to the residents of Connaught Road West was relatively low. The
NWFB would also implement a series of measures, including installation of
hoardings and covers for bus washing machines, installation of covers for fuel
filling stations as well as isolation of the BSS by sound-proof metal hoardings
to reduce the noise impact to the surroundings during its operation.
iv.
The NWFB would provide an entrance/exit in front of the pedestrian crossing
facilities at the junction of Western Fire Services Street and Connaught Road
West of the BSS at Connaught Road West. Bus drivers and staff could access
the BSS by directly using the crossing facilities in front of the entrance/exit.
45.
Ms Cindy CHEUNG supplemented the information concerning the disposition of the
BSS to the Committee, which was summarised below:
i.
The TD had reached a consensus with the FSD and the Police upon discussion,
agreeing that the current route arrangement in which emergency vehicles had
to go to Des Voeux Road West and Wing Lok Street via the slip road of
Connaught Road West (near Wui Tat Centre) would be changed to direct
access to Des Voeux Road West from Western Fire Services Street. The HyD
would implement the relevant road improvement works. The existing section
of emergency vehicular access at the slip road of Connaught Road West (near
Wui Tat Centre) would be converted to a pedestrian road. Some of the
planters would also be removed for the provision of pedestrian crossing
facilities to facilitate public access to the bus stop underneath the flyover at
Connaught Road West near Queen Street.
46.
The Chairman invited Members to express their views and raise questions, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr KAM Nai-wai said that the department did not mention in the paper that it
had consulted the District Council (DC) twice on the item in 2011 and 2012
and that the item had been rejected. He was in doubt about the lease term of
the STT stated in the paper. Moreover, he pointed out that there were
insufficient parking spaces for goods vehicles in the district and opined that
land should be put to optimal use. Thus, he opposed the relocation project
concerned. He supported the pedestrian road improvement works proposed
by the department and enquired of the department whether the works
concerned were bundled with the reprovisioning project.
ii.
Ms CHENG Lai-king enquired whether the arrangement relating to bus
emission would affect the air quality in the vicinity.
iii.
Mr MAN Chi-wah enquired about the number of buses that could be parked at
the BSS at Connaught Road West. He also supported the pedestrian road
improvement works.
iv.
Mr LUI Hung-pan enquired of the department about the schedule for the
reprovisioning of the BSS. He also enquired whether only one site could be
used as the BSS. He said that the noise insulation measures proposed by the
- 17 -
department were unable to help residents living at the lower levels. He was
also concerned about the closed design of the BSS, which would increase the
risk in case of fire.
v.
Mr CHAN Wing-hang enquired about the operating hours of the BSS, the
departments involved in approving the BSS relocation and whether the TD had
the right of final decision. He enquired about the impact of the BSS on air
pollution and which department was responsible for the regulation of
flammable fuels of the BSS.
vi.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung asked whether the pedestrian crossing facilities to be
provided by the department were bundled with the reprovisioning proposal.
vii.
Mr LI Po-ming enquired of the department about the arrangement of bus
refueling.
viii. Mr Jackie CHEUNG said that the BSS site was far away from residents. It
caused limited impacts on residents and thus was acceptable. He enquired
about buses of which district the BSS would mainly provide support to.
ix.
Mr YIP Wing-shing pointed out that it was necessary to relocate the BSS as the
existing bus depot at Kennedy Town was included in the scope of land
decontamination works. Moreover, the BSS concerned provided support to
buses serving the C&W District, while the site underneath the flyover at
Connaught Road West was also far away from residents. Reduction of noise
impact and pedestrian crossing safety improvement measures were also
considered in this project. Thus, he supported the relocation proposal.
x.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi enquired why the department did not consider using the bus
park adjacent to the Waterfront Divisional Station as a BSS. Moreover, he
enquired the department whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA)
had been conducted for the new BSS.
47.
Ms Cindy CHEUNG gave a consolidated response to Members’ comments and
enquiries, which was summarised below:
i.
Regarding the shortage of parking spaces in the C&W District, the department
has been actively identifying suitable sites for provision of additional parking
spaces. A car park for goods vehicles would also be provided underneath the
flyover at Connaught Road West near Eastern Street. As for future planning,
the department would also, in cooperation with the Planning Department
(PlanD), conduct a study to provide additional parking spaces in new
development projects as far as possible.
ii.
For the fire risk, the NWFB had completed the fire safety risk assessment.
The FSD and the HyD had reviewed the report, and the assessment revealed
that the level of fire risk of the BSS was categorised as low. The department
would also actively consider the advice of Members on fire safety.
iii.
For the suggestion of using the car park for buses adjacent to the Waterfront
- 18 -
Divisional Station as BSS, since the 3 000 square metre car park was jointly
used by the NWFB and the Citybus Limited (Citybus) and about 50 buses
parked there every night, another site had to be identified for buses which
currently parked there at night if the BSS was relocated there. Moreover, the
site was zoned for “Government, Institution or Community (G/IC)” use, it
might have to be vacated shortly and another suitable site had to be identified if
the BSS was relocated to that site.
iv.
For the suggestion of using the bus terminal at Man Kat Street adjacent to
Harbour Building, as the terminal only occupied an area of 1 300 square metres,
there was insufficient space to accommodate basic service facilities of the BSS.
Since the site concerned was adjacent to the footbridge, the landscape would be
affected should the BSS be provided there.
v.
Concerning the impact of the BSS on residents, since the entrance/exit of the
BSS was located at Western Fire Services Street and the surrounding areas
were mainly occupied by commercial buildings, there would be minimal
impact on residents.
vi.
In respect of the arrangement of crossing facilities, they were provided because
of Members’ concerns over crossing safety of the NWFB bus drivers, staff and
pedestrians upon setting up of the BSS. She hoped that Members would
consider the arrangement concerned with the relocation of the BSS in one go.
48.
Mr Paul LI, Head of Engineering of the NWFB responded that the LandsD leased the
site to the NWFB under the STT (i.e. with lease term of three years and renewal on quarterly
basis), and thus the BSS relocation was only a temporary arrangement. He pointed out that
it took around one year to reconstruct the BSS and involved huge expenses. Therefore, he
expected that the NWFB would continue to rent the site. He pointed out that the BSS mainly
provided refueling and bus cleansing services for the 80 buses serving the C&W District.
For refuelling service, mainly diesel oil would be provided due to their low volatility and low
flammability. The fire risk was also lower. There were also two surface diesel oil storage
tanks at the BSS. They were surrounded by concrete walls to reduce the fire risk. Buses
mainly entered and left the BSS between 11 pm and 2 am, but there were also a few buses
which arrived at the BSS for refueling in the morning. Moreover, the BSS was not designed
as a confined space. About half of the area was not covered by flyover and the air
ventilation was good. As the buses used low emission fuels, they caused very little impact to
the environment.
49.
Ms Cindy CHEUNG supplemented that the LandsD leased the site to the NWFB
under the STT to allow greater flexibility for the district to tie in with future local
development in an effective manner. In response to Mr CHAN Wing-hang’s enquiry, the
LandsD was responsible for the application. The LandsD would make decisions in
consultation with various departments such as the TD and the Environmental Protection
Department (EPD). Regarding the crossing facilities, the department made improvements
with regard to the needs of the BSS relocation, and thus the works would be implemented in
one go.
50.
The Chairman concluded the discussion, pointing out that the Committee had
discussed the issue many times. He indicated that there was no other suitable site for
- 19 -
reprovisioning of the BSS in the district, and the department had put forward proposals of
road improvement works with regard to Members’ concerns over pedestrian crossing safety.
Except Mr KAM Nai Wai who expressed opposition, other Members unanimously endorsed
the above proposal.
Item 12: Request for installation of closed-circuit televisions in all markets in C&W
District for security enhancement
(5:09 pm to 5:21 pm)
51.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung said that further to the theft cases in Shek Tong Tsui
Market, he also received reports from hawkers in Smithfield Market that there
were many pickpockets there in the recent year. Thus, he suggested
installation of CCTVs in the market to safeguard the properties of the public.
He enquired of the department whether CCTVs had been installed in four other
markets in the district other than Shek Tong Tsui Market and Smithfield
Market and whether signs had been added beside the CCTVs.
ii.
Mr WONG Kin-shing said that funding for minor works had been endorsed for
the installation of CCTVs in Shek Tong Tsui Market by the last term of the
DC. It had been three years since then and the works had yet to be
commenced. He would like to know the reasons. Some hawkers in
Smithfield Market reflected to him that the department had not conducted a
consultation yet. He worried that the same would happen to funding
application for CCTV installation in Smithfield Market.
iii.
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan enquired of the department about the specific
timetable for CCTV installation in Smithfield Market and that for consultation
with the hawkers. He enquired of the department about the difficulties
encountered in respect of CCTV installation in Smithfield Market.
iv.
Mr KAM Nai-wai was concerned about how the department handled the issue
of privacy. He suggested that the FEHD should consult the Privacy
Commissioner on installation of CCTVs, including the installation locations,
the scope of capturing and posting of CCTV notices. He hoped that the
notices would be prominently displayed so that members of the public knew
that they were being video-recorded.
52.
Mr YIP
Ming-bor, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western) of the FEHD gave a consolidated response to Members’ views and
enquiries as below:
i.
For privacy, he agreed that notices should be posted beside CCTVs, and would
check after the meeting whether they had been posted in the four markets in
which CCTVs had been installed. He pointed out that the videotapes of
markets were usually kept for two weeks to one month. They would be
destroyed if the records were proved useless.
- 20 -
ii.
Funding for the installation works of Shek Tong Tsui Market had been duly
endorsed in the 2013-14 Financial Year. He hoped that the concerned works
would be completed in this financial year and the department would strengthen
monitoring of the works progress.
iii.
Concerning the works progress of Smithfield Market, the FEHD had noted the
proposal last October and had approached the EMSD at once. They were now
jointly studying the locations and number of cameras. According to past
experience, funding applications for works less than $2 million would be
endorsed more quickly. As the funding for the works of Smithfield Market
was estimated to be around $0.7 million, which was more or less the same as
the cost of similar works in Shek Tong Tsui Market, it was believed that the
works concerned could commence very soon as well.
53.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi enquired where the cameras would be installed and the system for
safekeeping of the video recorders.
54.
Mr YIP Ming-bor responded that video recorders were placed in individual markets
and were locked in a box. Only authorised persons could access the information.
55.
The Chairman concluded the discussion by suggesting that the FEHD should provide
the locations of CCTV notices in the markets to Members after the meeting.
(Post-meeting note: The Secretariat had e-mailed the locations of CCTV notices in the
markets provided by the FEHD to Members for their perusal on 21 January this year.)
Item 13: Concern over the undesirable environmental and hygienic conditions at Hing
Lung Street, Tit Hong Lane and Tung Man Street
(5:21 pm to 5:24 pm)
56.
The Chairman thanked the department for following up the issue of most locations
and proposed to refer the reply of the department to the Citybase Property Management
Limited for its reference after the meeting.
57.
Mr YIP
Ming-bor, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western) of the FEHD said the department had all along been aware of the
undesirable sanitary condition in the vicinity of Tit Hong Lane and had issued penalty tickets
to offenders. The licence of one of the food premises would even be suspended as it had
accumulated enough demerit points due to repeated offences.
Item 14: Concern over the poor remuneration of cleaning workers employed for the
Government through outsourcing
(5:24 pm to 5:37 pm)
58.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that many cleaning workers were injured due to the
unavailability of safety equipment. He suggested that the department should
strengthen supervision of contractors to ensure that they provided sufficient
- 21 -
safety measures for workers. He enquired about the figure of work injuries of
outsourced cleaning workers. He hoped that the department would give an
account of the information concerning the arrangement of providing common
rooms to outsourced workers.
ii.
Mr WONG Kin-shing pointed out that the department might have signed
cleansing contracts with contractors before the implementation of minimum
wage (i.e. before 1 May), and asked whether the contractors provided less
equipment to workers because of increase in salary expenses due to the new
policy of minimum wage.
59.
Mr YIP
Ming-bor, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western) of the FEHD replied that there was no figure concerning work injuries of
outsourced workers at present, but he would ask the contractors whether they had any
information relating to work injuries for Members’ reference. The FEHD would request the
contractors to deploy sufficient number of trained supervisors to ensure that cleaning workers
could perform their duties in a safe environment. The department would usually provide
storage rooms only in accordance with contract requirements and no changing rooms or
common rooms would be provided to outsourced workers. However, considering that it was
reported last year that cleaning workers had to change their uniforms in outdoor areas as there
was no changing room in the refuse collection point (RCP), the department, at its discretion,
allowed workers to change their uniforms in temporary changing rooms provided in RCPs.
In response to Mr WONG Kin-shing’s enquiry, he said that no contractor had been found
jerry-building due to increase in salary so far, and the department also had a mechanism in
place to prevent this problem.
60.
Mr MOK Chi-wo, Property Service Manager/S(KWH)5 of the HD said the
department had provided training courses and safety measures to cleaning workers. The HD
also provided rest areas for workers and would also decide whether a separate common room
would be provided to workers having regard to the space available in individual housing
estates. Meanwhile, the department would also conduct irregular inspections to ensure that
all cleansing services were provided in compliance with contract requirements.
61.
Mr Kent CHOI, Deputy District Leisure Manager (Central & Western)2 of the LCSD
responded to the question of Mr CHAN Choi-hi that the department would ensure that
contractors had complied with the legislations relating to employment, occupational safety
and health through routine inspections. The LCSD pointed out that contractors had the
responsibility to provide common rooms for outsourced workers, but the department would
also provide support as far as possible, e.g. common rooms and storage rooms were provided
to workers in stadia and swimming pools. In response to the question of Mr WONG
Kin-shing, the department would closely monitor the performance of contractors.
62.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr Jacky CHEUNG said he noted that there were some FEHD outsourced
cleaning workers in reflective clothing who disregarded safety and did the
cleaning on streets. He suggested that the FEHD should provide reflective
pants and helmets to workers so that drivers could easily identify them, and
thus reducing their risks of working on streets.
- 22 -
ii.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) had been
rolled out recently. He enquired of the department about the work
arrangement for outsourced workers under high AQHI levels or special
weather conditions.
63.
Mr YIP Ming-bor responded that the contract terms did not cover the guidelines for
work arrangements under high AQHI or special weather conditions, but would treat
outsourced workers in accordance with existing departmental guidelines.
He would relay
the views of Mr Jacky CHEUNG on reflective pants to the colleagues of the headquarters for
their consideration.
64.
Mr MOK Chi-wo said the department regulated contractors in accordance with the
employment contracts and would relay the views of Mr CHAN Choi-hi to colleagues for their
consideration.
(Post-meeting note: The HD replied with the supplementary information below: Contracts
between the HD and the service contractors stipulated that contractors must comply with all
legislations relating to the enforcement of service contracts, including the Occupational Safety
and Health Ordinance (Cap. 509). Therefore, contractors must ensure that workers were
under reasonable safety protection. Under high AQHI or special weather conditions,
contractors should make appropriate arrangements for workers having regard to the actual
circumstances.)
65.
Mr Kent CHOI pointed out that the existing contract terms did not cover the
guidelines of work arrangements for outsourced workers under high AQHI, but the
department would remind contractors of the relevant arrangements with reference to the
internal guidelines.
Item 15: Concern over the nuisance caused by construction works to residents nearby
in the district
(5:37 pm – 5:58 pm)
66.
Mr Joseph CHAN indicated that under the existing legislation, construction works
were permitted to be implemented between 7 am and 7 pm from Monday to Saturday. The
noise had caused adverse impacts on residents’ rest breaks as well as nuisance to their daily
life. Moreover, residents reflected that the construction works had caused adverse impacts
on the structure of surrounding buildings. But the Buildings Department (BD) did not
entertain the case as there was no imminent danger. He considered that there were
inadequacies in the BD’s handling of the matter and it had failed to prevent surrounding
buildings from being damaged. In addition, he requested the department to give an account
of its requirements on specifications of construction sites which helped minimise the
environmental pollution caused by construction works. Furthermore, he pointed out that
many construction workers dined in and littered outside the construction sites. He proposed
that the FEHD should strengthen the cleansing work and enforcement actions at the sites.
Finally, he remarked that the construction works had cause adverse impacts on traffic. The
roads in the Central-Mid-Levels constituency were very narrow, but large construction
vehicles had to run on those roads to implement the works. He said that residents had
complained about vehicles of works staff occupying two lanes of a road, and thus causing
danger. The staff even requested the residents to give way to their vehicles. He proposed
that the department should monitor drivers in respect of their driving attitude and take strict
enforcement actions against illegal parking.
- 23 -
67.
Mr Sean LAW, Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Regional South) 1 of the
EPD explained that the existing Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) and Hong Kong
environmental legislation provided for control over noise and air pollution caused by
construction works. During the restricted hours, that is, the hours between 7 pm and 7 am or
at any time on a general holiday (including Sunday), the EPD adopted a stringent supervision
system, including prohibition of percussive piling. Normal construction works during the
restricted hours were permitted only if a Construction Noise Permit (CNP) was issued by the
EPD. The issuance of the CNP would be subject to the result of the noise impact assessment
of the works and the grounds of applicants. Percussive piling might be allowed to be carried
out in daytime between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm on weekdays under the three-tier control
system if the EPD was satisfied with the results of its assessment on the implications of the
works on the surrounding residential buildings or schools. The department would issue a
piling permit for an operating duration of 12 hours, 5 hours or 3 hours each day. While
processing the applications, the EPD would carefully consider the noise impacts on residents
or schools to determine the duration of works actually permitted. The impacts on schools
were given first priority in consideration. Under normal circumstances, percussive piling
was allowed for a duration of 3 hours in urban areas. Apart from the NCO, the EPD would
also control the noise emitted by major works projects implemented in daytime under the
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). The EPD requested the companies
which carried out the works to conduct environmental impact assessments, including the
assessment of impacts of the works on the residents and schools nearby. Moreover, the EPD
would request the institutions to set up monitoring points to monitoring the air and noise. In
case the monitoring result of the works exceeded the indicators stated in the Environmental
Monitoring and Audit Manual (the EM&A Manual), the institution would be required to take
mitigation measures immediately. If the situation persisted, the institution should consider
terminating the relevant works. Apart from the regulation by law, the EPD had also built up
partnership with the construction industry in respect of administrative measures, such as
co-organising talks and seminars in order to enhance the environmental protection and law
compliance awareness in the industry. He pointed out that the EPD had received
complaints from the public referred by Mr Joseph CHAN previously, and every time the EPD
had actively engaged in coordination and reflected the problems to contractors, and in most
cases the problems had been improved. In response to the concern over the EPD’s
permission to commencement of works at 7 am, he said that this was to keep up with the pace
of Hong Kong people, and normally no works would commence at 7 am among the
construction industry. If such a case did happen, the EPD was willing to coordinate with
contractors and requested postponement of the works with loud noise. Regarding air
pollution control, the EPD would monitor the emissions from the machineries used in
construction works under the Air Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations and the Air
Pollution Control (Fuel Restriction) Regulations, etc. For dust control, contractors should
conduct various dusty processes in accordance with the Air Pollution Control (Construction
Dust) Regulation.
68.
The Chairman remarked that the EPD did not respond to Mr Joseph CHAN’s
comments on the following, that is, permitting implementation of works on Saturday morning
caused adverse impacts on residents’ rest breaks, and the existing legislation had been too
lenient, as mentioned in the paper.
69.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming pointed out that as most of the construction site works
would not commence at 7 am, the EPD should consider amending the existing
legislation to prohibiting construction works from commencing at 7 am.
- 24 -
ii.
Mr YEUNG Ho-kei pointed out that many members of the public had reflected
that they were affected by the noise caused by the construction workers while
they delivered materials. He agreed that the EPD should implement stringent
supervision over the works in morning.
iii.
Mr Joseph CHAN appreciated the EPD district officers’ prompt reaction in
handling complaints from the public. He pointed out that the relevant
legislation was outdated, as it did not cover the regulation of works other than
percussive pilling, such as demolition of buildings. He considered that the
legislation should cover control over the noise generated by construction works.
Moreover, the EPD should consider prohibiting works from commencing at
7 am. He proposed that the views of C&WDC Members should be reflected
to the EPD headquarters to enhance control over the noise level of construction
works and their operating hours under the existing legislation.
70.
Mr Sean LAW would reflect Members’ views on supervision of works in daytime of
weekdays to relevant EPD officers. He supplemented that the permitted daytime operating
hours of works (7 am to 7 pm) as stipulated in the existing legislation aimed at allowing
contractors to have greater flexibility in implementation of works. If Members received any
complaints from the public about the works operating in daytime, the EPD was willing to
coordinate with the contractors.
71.
The Chairman remarked that Members agreed that the existing noise control
legislation was too lenient. He suggested that Mr Sean LAW should reflect Members’ views
to the EPD Headquarters.
Item 16: Arrangement for processing applications regarding seating of open air food
establishment
(5:58 pm – 6:02 pm)
72.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung said that he had received public enquiries about the
applications regarding seating of open air food establishment. He pointed out
that the FEHWC had had discussions on the agenda item. It was unanimously
endorsed that the FEHWC would reject similar applications for outside seating
accommodation (OSA) with the nature of occupying public places for private
profit-making purpose in future. Therefore, he did not see why the FEHD
still continued to consult the C&WDC on applications for OSA.
ii.
The Chairman pointed out that a member of the public had reflected to him that
he had applied for OSA for period of time, but without any notification of the
result. He pointed out that the FEHD did not act according to the resolution
of the FEHWC to reject any applications for OSA with the nature of occupying
public places for private profit-making purpose, but informed the applicants
that consultations would be conducted instead, giving them a false hope.
Moreover, he had previously enquired of the FEHD several times about the
applications for OSA and had not received a response yet. However, he had
received the response from the FEHD regarding the case of Gough Street upon
submission of the papers.
- 25 -
iii.
Ms CHENG Lai-king indicated that for the application concerning 40 Gough
Street, the location was a public place. Therefore, the FEHD should follow
the decision of the FEHWC and reject the application.
73
Mr YIP
Ming-bor,
District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western) of the FEHD responded that the Licensing Office of the FEHD
Headquarters was responsible for processing the applications for OSA. He would reflect the
views of Members to the concerned officers. The FEHD would not consult the C&WDC on
the applications in future. For the two applications mentioned in the paper, as the applicants
did not respond to the objections raised by members of the public and the LandsD within the
specified period, the applications were regarded as being withdrawn/waived.
74.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Mr HUI Chi-fung agreed that DC should treat every application equally.
They would not discuss the applications for OSA on a case-by-case basis.
However, he asked Members whether they would also oppose the applications
far away from residential areas, such as International Finance Centre and
Tamar.
ii.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung was dissatisfied with the FEHD’s approach to process the
applications. He expressed that the FEHWC had a very clear position. He
hoped that the department would reflect Members’ views to the FEHD
Headquarters.
75.
Mr YIP Ming-bor said he would follow up the case with colleagues of the Licensing
Office of the Headquarters, and would not consult the DC again on the applications
concerned.
76.
The Chairman responded that the proposal put forward by Mr HUI Chi-fung was
different from the applications under discussion. The Committee also stated clearly in 2008
that it would oppose any applications for OSA with the nature of occupying public places for
private profit-making purpose, and no discussions would be carried out again on individual
cases. The Chairman concluded that the Committee of this term unanimously endorsed that
the resolution of the second FEHWC meeting in 2008 would continue to be adopted. Should
there be any similar applications for OSA with the nature of occupying public places for
private profit-making purpose in future, the Committee would oppose all of them.
Item 17: Strong concern over the service quality of public toilet cleansing contractors
(6:02 pm – 6:19 pm)
77.
The Chairman invited Members to raise questions and express their views, which
were summarised below:
i.
Miss SIU Ka-yi said that she received complaints from the public that the
sanitary condition of public toilets under the FEHD and the LCSD was poor.
She had also conducted a site inspection in person at the public toilets in
Sheung Wan Market, and noted that the facilities were dilapidated and even
toilet paper holders were unavailable in some of the toilets. This showed that
the department exercised inadequate supervision of the contractors.
- 26 -
Moreover, she pointed out that attendance registers of workers were not found
in most of the toilets, and thus she was not sure whether the poor sanitary
condition was caused by the fact that cleaning workers had not yet carried out
the cleansing work. She suggested that the department should display the
attendance registers of workers in public toilets to facilitate monitoring by the
public and the department.
ii.
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming agreed with the views of Miss SIU Ka-yi and enquired
of the FEHD whether the department would adopt a marking scheme so that if
the contractor received a default notice, the result of future tenders would be
affected and the existing contract might also be terminated earlier. He
pointed out that toilet paper holders were not provided in the male toilet on the
first floor of Sheung Wan Market over the past year, but the department had
not made any improvement. He asked the department whether it would
consider setting up a monitoring mechanism, such as posting notices beside
damaged facilities which stated when the facilities were found damaged and
that maintenance would be carried out, so that the public could monitor
whether the department would carry out maintenance in seven days.
Meanwhile, he found that toilet paper was not provided in some 10 toilets and
requested the department to strengthen monitoring of the situation.
iii.
The Chairman asked why no improvement had been made although there had
been no tap water supply and the facilities had been damaged in David Lane
Temporary Public Toilet for a long period of time.
iv.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung said that the overall situation of public toilets in the
district was satisfactory, but some of the public toilets were not up to standard.
For example, before renovation, the public toilet on the ground floor of Sheung
Wan Civic Centre gave off bad smells. He did not understand why the quality
of public toilets varied and requested the FEHD to strengthen monitoring of
contractors.
78.
Mr YIP Ming-bor responded to Mr CHAN Hok-fung that the department would
strengthen monitoring of the sanitary condition of the public toilet on the ground floor of
Sheung Wan Civic Centre (Wing Lok Street Public Toilet) upon completion of renovation
works. Moreover, he said that the water pump in David Lane Temporary Public Toilet was
damaged in last October. As the public toilet was built by the MTRC, colleagues of the
department had approached the MTRC for maintenance. However, the MTRC refused to do
so, and thus the department had contacted the EMSD for assistance in maintenance.
However, it took time to configure the parts concerned, and therefore more time was required
for improvement. He supplemented that it was the same case in Belcher’s Street Public
Toilet and the maintenance works were anticipated to be completed before Lunar New Year.
Under the current cleansing service contracts, contractors were required to provide toilet
paper and toilet paper holders in public toilets, and he would instruct colleagues to follow up
the case. The department had not required contractors to provide paper towels in public
toilets for the time being, and he suggested members of the public use hand dryers. As there
were no toilet attendants in some toilets, the department would post the cleansing timetables
in those toilets. If any information was missing, he would arrange colleagues to assist in
posting such information. In response to Mr YEUNG Hok-ming’s enquiry, the default
notices issued by the department would directly affect the marks and assessment results of the
contractors concerned when the tender documents were assessed under the marking scheme in
future.
- 27 -
Item 18: Action checklist of the matters arising from the 11th meeting of FEHWC
(6:19 pm – 6:20 pm)
79.
The Chairman asked Members to note the contents of the paper.
Item 19: Handling of the obstruction problem caused by waste recycling shops
(6:20 pm – 6:21 pm)
80.
The Chairman said Members agreed at the 4th FEHWC meeting on 24 May 2012 that
the department concerned would submit the above report to the FEHWC regularly in future,
and the document would be included as information papers of the FEHWC. As this item
would also be discussed by the Central and Western District Management Committee (C&W
DMC), he asked Members whether they would consider circulation of the document to them
for perusal on a quarterly basis in future. Members unanimously endorsed the arrangement
and this item would be cancelled from the agenda of the next FEHWC meeting.
Item 20: Follow-up action of 11th FEHWC meeting held on 17 October 2013: Main
burst in the rear lane at No. 101, Hill Road
(6:21 pm – 6:22 pm)
81.
The Chairman asked Members to note the contents of the paper.
Item 21: Date of the next meeting
(6:22 pm)
82.
The Chairman reminded Members that for the year-end clean-up campaign 2014,
cleaning packs would be distributed in the four markets in the C&W District and an
inspection would be conducted on the streets near the distribution locations at 10:30 am on
17 January.
83.
The Chairman said that the 2nd FEHWC meeting would be held on 27 March 2014.
The paper submission deadline for government departments would be 6 March 2014, while
the deadline for Members would be 12 March 2014. The Chairman thanked Members,
government representatives and guests for attending the meeting and announced that there
was no other business. The meeting was adjourned at 6:22 pm.
The minutes were confirmed on 27 March 2014
Chairman: Mr Sidney LEE
Secretary: Miss Angel YIP
Central and Western District Council Secretariat
March 2014
- 28 -