Win-win situation: Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao and Deputy Director General of the State Oceanic Administration Chen Lianzeng sign the co-operation agreement in Guangzhou.

Hong Kong and the Mainland have agreed to work together in managing the dumping of dredged materials and the accommodation of inert construction and demolition materials.

Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works Dr Sarah Liao and Deputy Director General of the State Oceanic Administration Chen Lianzeng signed the Co-operation Agreement on Cross-boundary Marine Dumping in Guangzhou today.

It provides a foundation for closer co-operation and communication between the two sides on the management of cross-boundary dumping of dredged materials generated in Hong Kong, and the accommodation of inert construction and demolition materials in Mainland waters.

Dr Liao said: "The agreement will help Hong Kong properly handle dredged materials in the long run and to better utilise inert construction and demolition materials, thus relieving the pressure on our marine dumping grounds and fill banks. This is of great importance to the sustainable development of Guangdong and Hong Kong."

A win-win agreement

Dr Liao said both jurisdictions are interested in oceanic protection and waste handling, and the move is a win-win situation for both Governments in strengthening co-operation.

Hong Kong has reclaimed a lot of land from the sea and construction and demolition materials were used as landfill. However, such projects have dwindled in recent years.

With Guangdong's fast economic development there are many reclamation works in the Pearl River Delta. These can now make greater use of Hong Kong's fill and reduce the exploitation of land in these areas.

The agreement allows Hong Kong, with reference to the needs of one or more projects, to submit proposals to the Central Government for cross-boundary dumping of dredged materials and utilisation of inert construction and demolition materials.

Proposals submitted must comply with the regulations and standards of both sides. They will further discuss technical issues involved in implementing the agreement.

Trial project expected soon

Dr Liao hopes a trial project will soon be identified for testing.

Project proponents in Hong Kong should submit to the Civil Engineering and Environmental Protection Departments information on the project generating the dredged materials, the scale of the dumping operation and the statutory analysis of the contents of the materials.

The Government will then perform the initial vetting. Only applications with a need for cross-boundary disposal will be passed with the Government's recommendations to the Central Government for further consideration.

Both sides will also enhance co-operation to curb any illegal marine dumping.