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1.Greens hit harbor treatment expansion

2. Building for the environment

3. Put to the test: Rugby Talk May 2005

4. LCQ10: Hunghom Peninsula

5. LCQ1: MTR West Island Line to start planning and design

1. Greens hit harbor treatment expansion
Monday Ng, The Standard 6 July 2005

Taxpayers are being asked to throw more money into the Harbor Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) for a cleaner harbor - but environment experts say some of the facilities are unnecessary.

Legislators Tuesday approved a request for HK$166 million for what the government called some ''time-critical'' steps for HATS Stage 2A. These include an environmental-impact assessment and design of the tunnel system, and the extensive ground investigation needed to ensure the design is optimized.

According to the Environmental Protection Department, Stage 2A includes about 20 kilometers of tunnel to convey sewage for treatment.

It is necessary to carry out extensive ground investigation early into stage 2A to provide suitable information for planning, design, tendering and construction of the tunnel, it said.

The department said that, if approval for ``time-critical'' items is not granted this year, it will not be able to meet the timeframe of the project.

Stage 1 of HATS started in 1994 and came into operation in 2001. This included the construction of an interim outfall tunnel, the comprehensive upgrading of seven preliminary treatment works and seven tunnels for collecting sewage from urban Kowloon, Tsing Yi, Kwai Chung, Tseung Kwan O and eastern Hong Kong Island and conveying it to a chemically enhanced primary treatment plant at Stonecutters Island.

Stage 2A, which commenced in April 2005 and is targeted for completion in 2013, comprises the extension of the deep tunnel network to collect and convey sewage from the remaining parts of Hong Kong Island to Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works for proper treatment.

It also expands the capacity of the existing chemical treatment from the current level of 1.7 million cubic meters daily to 2.8 million cubic meters, and provides for the disinfection of all treated effluents before being discharged into the harbor.

Environment concern groups said the design of Stage 2A may result in a 35 percent wastage.

``As present, consumption is 1.8 million cubic meters per day, so the addition of one million cubic meters may never be used at all,'' Conservancy Association director Albert Lai said.

Legislator Emily Lau agreed that it would be a waste if facilities are left idle.
To achieve a full cost recovery by the time stage 2A is completed, the average household monthly bill will rise from the current HK$11 to HK$26 over the next eight years.

2. Building for the environment
ERNEST KONG, SCMP 6 July 2005

A growing number of developers are adopting green building strategies as a way to vie for multinational corporate tenants who prefer features that will save energy, reduce waste and increase productivity.

Several multinational corporations have started employing independent consultants to examine the environment and energy efficiency of buildings before they ink their leases, according to Kevin Edmunds, deputy director of the Business Environment Council (BEC).

"Not many companies have adopted the practice, but it is a sign that they are now asking for more than space efficiency," he said.

The Royal Bank of Scotland and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi separately employed consultancy firms in fields such as mechanics and information technology to analyse design features of the new AIG Tower in Central before signing up as tenants, according to market sources.

Mr Edmunds said more corporations were issuing reports under sustainability reporting guidelines drawn up by the independent Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a collaborating centre of the United Nations Environmental Programme.

These corporations' demand for environmentally friendly regional offices was increasing accordingly, he said.

"[Environmental designs] have become part of the design process for new office design," Mr Edmunds said. However, the Grade-B office and residential sectors had been slow to follow suit.

Among the companies that have issued reports under GRI guidelines is the investment bank UBS, which has signed a 10-year lease at Hong Kong's tallest building, Two IFC.

Nigel Smith, executive director of office service at CB Richard Ellis, said the concept of corporate compliance had significantly changed the decision-making process on office relocations. International firms were now willing to pay considerably more to ensure that their staff worked in better and safer environments.

"Office rents in Hong Kong have gone up quickly over the past few months, but these companies would rather take the time [for analysis] and pay higher rent," he said.

"[Relocation] decisions are now centralised at headquarters. They are going not only through the chief operation office but through the human resources and IT departments."

He said office tenants now had a much longer wish list about office design features than they had two years ago.

Among the companies embracing environmentally friendly design features is Henderson Land Development, a joint venture developer of International Finance Centre (IFC) in Central.

"It doesn't really cost a lot more if you start incorporating [green] features in the design stage," said David Dumigan, deputy general manager of Henderson Land Development's project management department.

He said IFC, the company's latest development, cost only about $1,100 per square foot, which was in line with the cost of building traditional projects.

Some environmentally friendly features were expensive to install but were economical in the long run, he said.

The sea water-cooled air conditioners installed at IFC cost double the price of traditional coolers but cost 30 per cent less to run, he added.

Buildings consume 40 per cent of the world's total energy, 25 per cent of its wood harvest and 16 per cent of its water, according to the US Department of Energy's Centre for Sustainable Development.

Green buildings are designed to drastically reduce the energy and resources necessary to build and occupy them.

A growing number of private developers in Hong Kong's increasingly competitive office market have signed up to the Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method (HK-BEAM), initiated by the Real Estate Developers' Association in 1995 and backed by the BEC.

Early participants were big developers such as Hong Kong and China Gas, the government's Buildings Department and Housing Authority and Swire Properties, developers of Three Pacific Place, with smaller developers having signed up since 2000.

HK-BEAM last month announced the 100th participant in its green building award, Lam Tin Residential Estate.

Sustainably yours

AIG Tower
• Instead of the usual 100 per cent site coverage, the building is set back by 20 per cent to provide more space for greenery on the ground level
• Solar panels on the roof supplement hot-water requirements

Two IFC
• The air-conditioning system is cooled by sea water
• Air-pressurised staircases keep smoke out of fire escape routes

The Parcville
• Built using environmentally friendly materials
• Has a greenhouse for residents

One Peking Road
• Solar-powered motors for the blinds

Three Pacific Place
• A transparent glazed curtain wall saves energy costs by providing insulation to reduce heat while letting in more natural light

3. Put to the test: Rugby Talk May 2005
Ruby Talk, 6 July 2005

Bob Lloyd recalls toughest decision of his rugby career

It’s a dilemma the modern player would never have to face – “tour with the Lions or take your exams.” But back in the days of amateur rugby union, it was a choice which caused longtime Hong Kong resident Bob Lloyd "a lot of grief". The year was 1968 and Lloyd, a 25-year-old centre for English club Harlequins, had just enjoyed the finest season of his rugby career.

He had scored four tries in three matches against the touring All Blacks one for the Midlands and Home Counties, two on his England debut and another one for the Barbarians and had played in all four of England's matches in the Five Nations Championship.

Then came a letter from Lions management informing him he had been chosen for the tour to South Africa. Great news, except Lloyd was studying for his civil engineering degree at Hatfield polytechnic near London and was due to take his second-y ear exams.

"At the start of that season, the Home Unions had circulated players asking about their availability for the tour," recalls Lloyd (pictured). "I was surprised even to he asked, but indicated I would be available providing my exams could be reorganised. After that, I thought no more about it."

"But that season I was fortunate enough to make my England debut against New Zealand and I played in the Five Nations. So at the end of the season they picked the Lions tour party and I was in it.

"That was when the dilemma over the exams came in. I went to the head of the civil engineering department at Hatfield polytechnic and he refused to budge. He said, 'You've got to make a choice, you either delay your exams a year, or you don't go.'

"Today, obviously, I would go because I would be a paid professional, but back then I was an amateur trying to develop a career in civil engineering. And I'd had a fairly chequered academic career, so I decided 1 lust couldn't go.

"It brought me a lot of grief at the time. It would have been great to have gone, it would have been the making of me, but I felt it was not as important as other people thought it."

The Lions' loss was, eventually, Hong Kong's gain. Lloyd never did add to his five England caps, but he was selected for the team's uncapped Far East tour in 1971 and fell in love with Hong Kong.

Two years later, he and Aileen moved here so he could take up a post with the Public Works Department and Lloyd continued playing, skippering Hong Kong both at 15s and in the inaugural Hong Kong Sevens in 1976.

More than 31 years after arriving, the Lloyds are still here. Bob, who helps select the Best and Fairest player each year at the Hong Kong Sevens, follows the international rugby scene with interest, but this summer's Lions tour won't induce any° wishful thinking.

"I don't regret my decision. I regret the circumstances," he says. "I think I made the right decision, for me, at that time."
For Bob Lloyd's all-time Lions Dream XV, see the Bulletin Board

4. LCQ10: Hunghom Peninsula
Hong Kong Government, 6 July 2005

Following is a question by the Hon Ronny Tong and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (July 6):

Question:

It has been reported that the developer which purchased Hunghom Peninsula has recently drawn up a renovation plan for that estate, and is prepared to make substantial alterations to its original fitting-out. On the other hand, according to the sale and purchase agreement signed by the Government and that developer, the latter should obtain the Government's permission before conducting any major renovation and alteration. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the details of the above renovation plan, and whether it has been approved by the Government; if so, whether the authorities have required the developer to pay extra premium; if so, of the amount involved; and

(b) given that renovation works of buildings will generate substantial construction waste, whether the authorities have assessed the impact of the waste generated by the renovation works of Hunghom Peninsula on the environment, and how they will tackle the problem?

Reply:

Madam President,

My reply to the two-part question is as follows:
(a) The developer of Hunghom Peninsula submitted for the Building Authority's approval the relevant building plans concerning the alteration and addition works to the residential and non-residential portions on May 12, 2005 and on June 13, 2005 respectively. The proposed alteration and addition works include the addition of lifts, combination of flats and revision to internal layout, renovation of external walls, and alterations to carpark and emergency vehicular access. The plans are still under processing.

Up to now, the Lands Department has not received any application for lease modification from the developer. Under the established practice, when such an application is received and approved, premium will be assessed by the Lands Department.

(b) Similar to other construction projects, alteration works of Hunghom Peninsula should comply with all the relevant statutory environmental requirements. The Environmental Protection Department is very concerned about the environmental impact due to the construction waste generated in the alteration works and has requested the developer to submit a comprehensive waste management plan. This is to ensure that measures are undertaken to reduce the generation of construction wastes requiring disposal, to manage construction waste properly and to reuse and recycle useful materials. The developer has committed to submitting the plan after the details of the alteration works are finalised.

5. LCQ1: MTR West Island Line to start planning and design
Hong Kong Government, 6 July 2005

Following is a question by the Hon Ma Lik and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, in the Legislative Council meeting today (July 6) :

Question:

In February this year, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) submitted to the Government a revised project proposal on two railway extensions, namely the West Hong Kong Island Line (WIL) and the South Hong Kong Island Line (SIL). The Transport Panel of this Council also passed two motions in the same month urging the Government to expedite the construction of the railway extensions. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) the proposed implementation timetable for WIL; and

(b) whether WIL and SIL are still treated as a single project, and thus only one financial analysis report has been provided; if so, whether such an approach is the cause for WIL's not being implemented yet?

Reply :

Madam President,

The Chief Executive-in-Council has agreed that:

(i) the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) should be asked to proceed with the preliminary planning and design of the proposed "West Island Line" (WIL), involving the extension of the MTR Island Line from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town with two intermediate stations at Sai Ying Pun and University;

(ii) negotiations with the MTRCL on the detailed scope, cost and implementation programme for the WIL should commence; and

(iii) the proposed "South Island Line" (SIL) should be kept under review and its way forward considered in the light of the results of the review on the planning of tourism and commercial development in the Southern District due to be completed by the end of 2005 and our consideration of Ocean Park's redevelopment proposal.

We are following up the above decision, and are now negotiating with the MTRCL on the detailed scope, cost and implementation programme for the WIL. We hope that we can reach agreement with the MTRCL as soon as practicable.

In the revised proposal submitted by the MTRCL in February this year, the WIL is set out as one proposed project. The SIL is split into "South Island Line (East)" and "South Island Line (West)". A separate financial analysis on the WIL has been provided in the proposal.