Third runway ‘won’t make Hong Kong more polluted’
Environmental watchdog defends its impact assessment against accusations it ignored airspace issues and habitat destruction
A proposed third runway at Hong Kong’s airport would not create more air pollution for Hongkongers, because planes using the airstrip would be flying mostly at high altitudes, a top lawyer representing the government told the High Court on Wednesday.
But Lantau resident Ho Loy and conservationist Yu Hin-pik, who are seeking a judicial review of the city’s environmental watchdog approving the project, questioned whether the department had taken into account the runway’s full impact.
On the second day of a four-day legal battle surrounding an environmental impact assessment for the scheme by the Environmental Protection Department, barrister Benjamin Yu SC, for the watchdog, cited an official air traffic forecast and argued that the new runway would not have an impact on air quality.
“[The findings] are not contradicted by any evidence,” he said. He said the department met statutory requirements in assessing the impact and denied it left out key areas before approving the controversial project, which is expected to cost HK$141.5 billion.
“The director has discretion,” said Yu, in defending the environmental chief’s decision not to request further information during the assessment. The watchdog was required to seek advice on environmental impact but was also subject to time limits, the lawyer added.