Dedicated laws designed to fast-track Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis project will not override the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, the authorities have said.
The remarks on Monday followed a meeting of the government-appointed Advisory Council on the Environment, where the main agenda was streamlining procedures and requirements for construction noise permits within the development near the border with mainland China.
“The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance and the dedicated legislation for the Northern Metropolis will operate in parallel, requiring contractors to comply with the noise and environmental standards of both regulations simultaneously,” said Tam Cheuk-wai, the Environmental Protection Department’s assistant director.
Tam was responding to a question at the meeting about whether the new rules would override the ordinance.
They include establishing statutory firms and measures to speed up land resumption payments and adopt new building technologies.
