To improve service delivery and efficiency in environmental protection, an Environment, Transport & Works Bureau section will merge with the Environmental Protection Department.

The bureau's Environment Branch will combine with the department from April 1, giving a net reduction of four directorate posts bringing savings of $8.85 million per annum in staff costs.

In the year up to the merger, the department will also have shed 29 non-directorate posts entailing savings of about $20 million per annum. The merged entity will be called the Environmental Protection Department.

Keith Kwok to head new department

Permanent Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works (Environment) Keith Kwok will succeed Rob Law as the Director of Environmental Protection on the merger day, as the latter proceeds on pre-retirement leave after 23 years of Government service.

"The merger will achieve synergy between policy formulation and implementation, and is in line with the Government's commitment to streamlining and de-layering the decision-making process," Mr Kwok said.

"The new department is able to integrate professional and public policy aspects of policy formulation at the earliest possible stage, and will be more nimble in responding to new environmental challenges."

Leaner and more efficient

Mr Kwok said it will remain the statutory authority responsible for the independent administration of environmental protection laws.

The department's organisation will be restructured to accommodate staff losses under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme and the Efficiency Savings Programme while maintaining the quality of service delivery and focusing more on partnership with stakeholders and assisting trades in complying with environmental legislation.

Further savings at the non-directorate level are expected within two years through streamlining and re-engineering internal administration. The savings will be achieved through natural wastage and deletion of vacancies without resorting to forced redundancy.