Cash for landfill revamps backed despite concerns

A request for HK$40 million in funding to help non-profit groups make use of former landfill sites has been backed by the Legislative Council's environmental affairs panel, despite concerns the plan was too rigid.

Panel members voted nine to one to approve the funding, which now goes to Legco's Finance Committee for a final vote.

The money will meet start-up costs and initial operating deficits for projects under the restored landfill revitalisation funding scheme announced in Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's policy address in January.

The scheme is intended to help find new uses for seven former landfills closed between 1997 and 2006. Six sites closed during the same period have already been put to recreational use.

The government plans to spend HK$1 billion on the scheme, with a maximum of HK$100 million for capital works on each project. The HK$40 million will provide the organiser of each project with up to HK$5 million in start-up funds, after which it will have to be self-sustaining.

Lawmakers criticised Environment Bureau officials for not being flexible and innovative enough in considering different suggestions for use of the sites and insisting only non-profit and sports organisations could apply.