'Sneaky' plan for landfills is withdrawn
HK$27 million applications for preparatory work on expanding three sites are shelved by government after criticism by lawmakers
Attempts by the government to expand the city's landfills suffered another setback yesterday after it was forced to withdraw funding applications in the Legislative Council.
The three applications for preparatory work on the expansion plans were part of a HK$12.2 billion reserve fund proposal to be voted on by the Legco Finance Committee.
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Elizabeth Tse Man-yee and Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing withdrew the HK$27 million items before they were put to vote, citing controversies and misunderstanding.
Their move followed criticism by lawmakers that they were "sneaky" in trying to put the proposals through the annual reserve fund, enabling them to bypass legislators who oversee environmental affairs.
The government wants to expand the landfills in Tseung Kwan O, Ta Kwu Ling and Tuen Mun - which will all be full by 2019 - to take waste until a planned incinerator is ready.
Strong opposition forced Wong to shelve the Tseung Kwan O proposal in July, while legislators also decided to delay discussion of the Ta Kwu Ling and Tuen Mun plans.
Yesterday's proposal sought funding for a consultancy study on the design and construction of the Tseung Kwan O landfill expansion, and compensation for acquiring land for the Ta Kwu Ling landfill. Wong said the cash would not be used until Legco approved the expansion plans.