Lawmakers split over controversial HK$20b waste landfill and incinerator plans
Boos from public gallery as lawmakers fail to reach any agreement on 'urgent' proposed landfill extension and incinerator plant
Amid boos from residents, deeply divided lawmakers yesterday delayed a decision on the controversial HK$20 billion proposals for the extension of the Tseung Kwan O landfill and the construction of a waste incinerator plant in Shek Kwu Chau.
The deferral, at the legislature's public works subcommittee, pushes the issue to the next meeting on May 7, despite the two plans being deemed urgent and necessary to the city's sustainability by Environment Secretary Wong Kam-sing.
The proposals need the green light from the subcommittee before they can be put before the Finance Committee.
While some Tseung Kwan O residents booed lawmakers who supported the landfill plan, huge rifts among the lawmakers remained unresolved at the close of the session.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong supported the proposals.
"It is unrealistic for us to wait until waste reduction efforts bear fruit," said Gary Chan Hak-kan, of the DAB, which had pledged to support the landfill plan if the government introduced effective measures to minimise any impact on the community.
But the pan-democrats stood firm in opposing the two items. Kenneth Chan Ka-lok, of the Civic Party, said he didn't trust the government to give serious consideration to waste recycling and reduction after they gave the green light.