THE Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has come under fire from the Hongkong Construction Association for failing to maintain an effective and meaningful dialogue on environmental matters.
The association said it took the initiative by establishing a regular dialogue with the department to ensure the construction industry could be more environmentally friendly but the channel had failed to achieve its purpose.
In a letter to the EPD the association said: ''. . . In most cases, we were only consulted very shortly before implementation of procedures or legislation . . . It defeats the entire purpose of the regular meetings.'' On a proposed construction dust regulation, the association said it was impractical for contractors to apply for a dust permit 28 days before the commencement of work as they were usually given seven days' notice by developers. The proposal would result in delays in the construction process, not a better environment.
Assistant Director of Environmental Protection (Air and Noise), Mr Fred Tromp, said he would only comment when he had the letter.
