A joint investigation by the environmental group Greenpeace and the Indigenous Research Institute found that the brownfields in the New Territories have reproduced the 10,000-foot garbage mountain, and there are more than 30 illegal factories.
The team found that a piece of land in the northeast of Lung Lung Keng in Sheung Shui, which belongs to the agricultural zone, has been turned into a place to store a large amount of aluminum waste since March this year, and it has become a "garbage mountain". Square feet.
The team also found 35 brownfield sites involved in violations, including suspected unlicensed disposal of "four computers and one computer" or electronic waste and occupation of government land. Among them, 11 sites are located in the "Yuen Long South Development Area" and "Shui Hung Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area".
Greenpeace criticized: "There is no change in the designation of new development areas. The so-called new development areas mean that there is no new development, and there are still illegal factories."
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Brownfields increase by 38 hectares a year, which is equivalent to two Victoria Parks invading wetland conservation areas.
In July and August this year, Greenpeace analyzed the latest situation of 67 brownfield sites through on-the-spot surveys and aerial photography, and found 35 brownfield sites suspected of violating regulations, including suspected unlicensed disposal of "four computers and one computer" or e-waste , illegal development, occupation of government land, and open-air disposal of aluminum waste and piled up into rubbish mountains, etc.
The 20,000-foot garbage mountain is only partially covered by waste
Last year, Greenpeace discovered rubbish mountains in Jibo Ling Road and Fung Kam Village, Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long. According to the latest investigation by the team, the size of the rubbish mountains has been reduced or ceased operation.
However, similar situations have continued. Greenpeace discovered that a piece of land belonging to the agricultural zone in the northeast of Lung Lung Hang in Sheung Shui has leveled more than 7,000 square meters of land since 2019 and built structures.
Until March this year, the brownfield had stored a large amount of aluminum waste and piled it into a garbage mountain; in August this year, the scale was expanded by one-third, with an estimated area of 20,000 square feet, and only part of the aluminum waste was covered with plastic.
▼Status of Garbage Mountain on Jiboling Road, Ha Village in August 2021▼
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Greenpeace also stated that 10 of the 35 illegal factories were discovered last year, but they are still in operation. Two of them were temporarily suspended due to government enforcement actions, but are now found to be "resurrected", including Yuan The illegal workshop in Long Siu Hom Estate.
Illegal factories have been fined and revived again
Chen Kechun, senior project director of Greenpeace, explained that in July last year, the team discovered that an illegal workshop in Siu Hom Village had stored a large number of refrigerators in the open air, and was suspected of storing or dismantling "four electrical appliances and one computer" without a license.
However, when Greenpeace visited again in July this year, it found that the illegal factory on the site was suspected to have revived, storing a large number of electrical appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. in the open air, and the scale was comparable to last year.
"Fine money is useless" continue to operate
Chen Kechun criticized the case of Xiao Hom Village as a reflection of the ineffectiveness of the current regulation alone, describing the situation as "a cat-and-mouse game." She also bluntly said that even if the illegal factory is convicted, the fine is only a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars Not waiting, can't stop brownfields from continuing to operate: "The Planning Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have done something again, and the money was fined, but it is useless. It seems that they don't want to scare you (the government)."
The Development Bureau stated earlier that half of the approximately 1,600 hectares of brownfield land in the New Territories are located in new development areas, which will be gradually developed into high-density housing and other uses; while the other half needs to be reserved.
However, Chen Kechun pointed out that the investigation found that it was outside the scope of the new development area.
At least 24 factories involved in violations believe that the relevant brownfields should be banned instead of preserved.
In addition, 11 factories suspected of violating regulations are located in two new development areas. She criticized: "Relying on the new development areas to deal with the brownfield problem is like drawing cakes to satisfy the hunger. Illegal factory."
Chen Kechun urged the government to formulate a brownfield policy. Only through comprehensive planning of brownfields can the expansion of brownfields and the spread of illegal operations be curbed.
She also pointed out that the development of brownfields also requires "KPIs" (Key Performance Indicators). The government should set a development roadmap for "fast-maturing brownfields". land.
Chen Kechun, senior project director of Greenpeace.
(Photographed by Huang Jinqi)
The Environmental Protection Agency replied that since January this year, a total of nine inspections have been conducted at the scrap metal recycling site in the northeast of Lung Lung Keng, and in April it was found that the metal processing/storage activities in the site produced dust and other pollutants. The Air Pollution Control Ordinance issues statutory notices requiring site owners to modify installations or equipment on premises, completely cover and enclose storage stockpiles within a specified period of time to prevent the spread of dust, grit or particles.
The Department also pointed out that in May and September, it was found that the Northeast of Dinosaur Keng did not comply with the statutory notification requirements. Among them, the violation case in May was successfully convicted and fined 18,000 yuan; the suspected violation case in September A search is underway.
The Department emphasized that during several recent inspections, it was found that there were only a small amount of aluminum scraps that had been properly covered and enclosed in the open-air location of the site, which did not cause nuisance to the surrounding environment.
As for the electrical recycling yard in Siu Hom Village, the EPD stated that no dismantling process or other violations were found during the inspection, and that the recycling yard has paid more attention to its operation after being convicted. The EPD has also reminded the operator several times to prevent Violation of environmental laws.
The Development Bureau and the Planning Department replied that the survey mentioned 11 brownfield sites in the development area suspected of illegal operation, all of which have development timetables, but will be carried out in stages, and the clean-up of related brownfield sites will also be carried out in stages.
As for the 24 brownfield sites outside the development area, most of them have been included in the ongoing planning study. Depending on the study results, the land will be recovered and developed for housing and other uses in succession.
As for the factories suspected of violating the regulations mentioned in the report, the authorities pointed out that some of the above-mentioned brownfield sites are located in planned use zones suitable for brownfield operations, and some have already obtained planning permission or have pre-existing uses. The authorities will investigate the remaining suspected cases.
The authorities also stated that active enforcement actions will be taken for illegal brownfield operations, whether they are located inside or outside the development zone, and the conservation zone is especially one of the key areas for enforcement.
As for some locations that have been verified to be in violation of the "Ordinance", such as Jiboling, Ha Tsuen, etc., the department stated that it has taken appropriate enforcement control actions, and emphasized that it will continue to closely monitor other venues to collect information. If there is sufficient evidence, it will Consider taking enforcement action under the regulations.
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