***********************************
Following is a question by the Hon Ma Lik and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (January 24) :
Question:
The Government is constructing an EcoPark with the aim to promote the local recycling industry and jump-start a circular economy. According to the target set by the Government earlier, the lots in Phase I of EcoPark would be made available for occupation by tenants in the end of 2006. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the details of the criteria for selecting tenants of EcoPark;
(b) as the Government has pointed out that one of the benefits provided by EcoPark to local recycling and environmental industries is the "prestige associated with business based in EcoPark", whether the Government has any measures in place to build up such prestige; if it has, of the details of the measures; if not, how such prestige can be built up; and
(c) whether it has drawn up any mechanism for reviewing the effectiveness of EcoPark from time to time and the criteria on the basis of which such reviews are to be conducted?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Tender invitation for the tenancies of the first batch of lots in EcoPark Phase I commenced in end 2006. The tender documents have stipulated mandatory requirements that tenderers need to meet in order to ensure their competence in operating and developing recycling businesses in the EcoPark, including tenderers' experience in recycling business, minimum material throughput and minimum capital investment. In addition, tenderers are required to submit technical proposals setting out in detail their substantive experience in operating recycling businesses, the proposed recovery and recycling processes (including material sources and product outlets, technologies and equipment to be adopted, throughput and capital investment) as well as their environmental plans, which will be evaluated by a tender assessment panel. The tenderers' score on technical and rent proposals will be combined and the tenderer with the highest combined score will be accepted as the tenant of the relevant lot.
(b) The Government has been taking a number of measures to help the "branding" of the EcoPark. First of all, environmental protection has been the primary consideration in the planning and construction of the EcoPark. During the planning stage, an environment impact assessment was conducted to ensure that the various operations in the EcoPark would not cause significant environmental impacts in future. As for its design and construction, materials with recycled content have been adopted and energy saving devices such as sun pipes, rainwater re-use system and solar panels will be installed to minimize resource consumption.
Furthermore, through the selection criteria mentioned in part (a), the EcoPark will encourage its tenants to employ high value-added processes and environmentally efficient production equipment to enhance product quality. On product promotion, the administration building of the EcoPark will provide a product gallery for tenants' exclusive use to showcase their recycled products. Subject to tenants' needs, EcoPark's management company will help them expand their market by providing value-added services, launching product promotion activities and organizing delegations to participate in seminars and exhibitions held in Hong Kong and elsewhere. In addition, a visitor and education centre will be set up in the EcoPark to promote environmental awareness of the public, which will also enhance public understanding of the EcoPark's role in promoting circular economy.
(c) The Government has established an EcoPark Advisory Committee with representatives from chambers of commerce and professional and trade bodies to advise the Government on the development and operation of the EcoPark, having regard to the business environment of the local environmental and recycling industries and their development. This will help ensure that the EcoPark can encourage and promote the reuse, recovery and recycling of waste resources effectively while serving the development needs of the industry.
Ends/Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:10
NNNN