The Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) yesterday urged the government to make detailed environmental studies for infrastructure projects to ensure the SAR's long-term environmental sustainability.

ACE chairman Lam Kin-che said this at a media briefing after a meeting of the council discussing the final report of "Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy". The report, released on October 11, laid down the territorial development strategy by 2030 that includes land and major infrastructure.

Adopting sustainable development as the ultimate goal, the study aims at providing a quality living environment, enhancing competitiveness and strengthening Hong Kong's ties with mainland.

Talking to the press yesterday, Lam said the ACE was concerned about the environmental impact of major infrastructure projects in northwestern Lantau Island.

"Members of the ACE are concerned that the construction of the proposed container terminals, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and a possible third runway for the airport might have an accumulated effect on the ecology of northwestern Lantau in Tai O and on Chinese white dolphins," he said.

The container terminals will also create air pollution resulting from operation of ships and heavy vehicles at the ports, he said, adding that the SAR government should conduct detailed environmental assessments.

The ACE, he said, wants to see a clearer picture of the long-term handling of construction waste, such as where the waste should be dumped and the amount Hong Kong can handle from present to 2030.

Pointing out that the ACE members were also concerned with the increase in total population, he said more people would be exposed to excessive road traffic noise level - increasing from the current 1.10 million (of 6.4 million) to 1.40 million by 2030 (of 8.4 million).

The ACE, however, does not object to the findings of the strategic environmental assessment announced in the report, which shows that the city's air quality has improved with the measures implemented by the government, he said.

In reviewing the development strategy Lam noted the authorities had to address a few issues.

"The study fails to provide a clear future position of Hong Kong," he said.

He said the ACE wants to see a more concrete population planning and the role of Hong Kong in the region.

"With a definite positioning, social development and planning will be much easier," he said.

The ACE also suggested that the SAR government should provide more information on how to calculate population, including cross-boundary flow of vehicles and development of neighboring area of Hong Kong.

"Such information can help the planning for, for example, the container industry, such as the size of container terminals needed by Hong Kong in future," he said.

As a final recommendation, Lam said the SAR government should set up a mechanism that reviews development strategy every two to three years.

(HK Edition 11/13/2007 page6)