Environmental Impact Assessments To Be Sped Up: Govt
"); jQuery("#212 h3").html("
"); });
2022-12-12 HKT 15:22
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Monday said environmental impact assessments (EIA) won't be compromised by proposals to streamline the process.
The plans include creating a new centralised database with data from EIA reports, updating technical assessment guidelines and simplifying procedures for obtaining environmental permits, while projects spanning fewer than 50 hectares won't need an assessment report at all.
Tse told a Legco panel that he expects a shorter assessment process to boost housing supply.
"We expect that after the improvement measures are put in place, the environmental impact assessment process can be halved in terms of time it takes, that is 18 months for ordinary projects and 24 months for major complex projects. But we will keep the public inspection period as it is, and it will also not compromise the quality of environmental assessment reports," he said.
But speaking at the same panel meeting, legislator Tony Tse who represents the architectural, surveying, planning and landscape sector, questioned whether those targets can be met.
"Whether we could really shorten the period by half, I think we have to wait and see. Because it really depends on the particular projects... as well as the officers handling such applications," he said.
The lawmaker added that he hopes officials can strike a balance between speeding up development and minimising the impact on the environment.
Amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance will be tabled to Legco in the second quarter of next year.
How Core Modernisation Is Paving The Way For Invisible Banking
In an era dominated by digital innovation, the banking sector is evolving rapidly to meet the modern consumer’s deman... Read more
ZA Bank Financial Performance Shows Strong Growth, Reduced Losses Last Year
ZA Bank, a virtual bank in Hong Kong, has reported a substantial increase in its financial performance for the past yea... Read more
Elon Musk Impersonated In Suspected Quantum AI Crypto Fraud
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued a public warning about suspected fraud involving the entity know... Read more
Why Hong Kong Is Primed For A Crypto ETF Breakthrough
In the dynamic landscape of global finance, Hong Kong has emerged as a frontrunner in innovative exchange-traded funds ... Read more
MixCare Health And Pacific Prime Collaborate On Digital Health Platform
MixCare Health, a Hong Kong-based digital health and wellness platform, has partnered with Pacific Prime, an internatio... Read more
Mox Bank Revenue Triples In 2023 Driven By New Services And Customer Growth
Mox Bank announced that it has tripled its revenue in 2023, driven by an increase in its customer base, deposits, and l... Read more