Wednesday, August 21, 2013

HK's Updates: Task Force on External Lighting organises stakeholder and public engagement exercise (19 Aug 2013)

Press Releases

Task Force on External Lighting organises stakeholder and public engagement exercise
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     The Task Force on External Lighting today (August 19) published the Document for Engaging Stakeholders and the Public, which aims to invite comments on the Task Force's proposal for requiring lighting installations with decorative, promotional or advertising purposes that affect the outdoor environment to be switched off after a preset time in order to address the issues of light nuisance and energy wastage.

     The Chairman of the Task Force, Dr Albert Chau, said that the public engagement exercise would last for two months until October 18. "The Task Force is delighted to see the roll-out of the engagement exercise. We invite views from the public and stakeholders on the Task Force's findings and proposals. The Task Force would give careful consideration to the views collected before drawing up specific recommendations to the Government on the appropriate ways to regulate external lighting," he said.

     To encourage the public to participate in the deliberations on the issues involved, a public forum will be held on August 31 (Saturday). Participants will be invited to express their views on issues relating to the proposed switching-off requirement, including the appropriate preset time, the scope of the requirements and the exemptions to be granted as well as the implementation approach.

     "In addition to organising the public forum, the Task Force will hold two engagement meetings for stakeholders on August 28 and September 5. Over 60 stakeholder groups from different sectors including professional institutions, trade bodies and green groups will be invited to exchange views on the Task Force's findings and recommendations," Dr Chau added.

     "We hope the public and stakeholders would actively take part in the engagement activities and voice their views," Dr Chau said.

     The engagement document has been posted on the Environment Bureau's website (www.enb.gov.hk/external_lighting). Members of the public are invited to submit their views by email tohollyip@hkpc.org, by fax to 3187 4534 or by mail (Environmental Management Division, 3/F, Hong Kong Productivity Council Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon) on or before October 18.

     The public forum will be held from 2pm to 4pm on August 31 (Saturday) at the Conference Hall, 4/F, Hong Kong Productivity Council Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon. Members of the public may sign up for the forum by phone on 2788 5716, by email to amykwan@hkpc.org, on the website at u.hkpc.org/external-lighting or by fax to 3187 4534.

     The Government set up the Task Force in August 2011 to advise it on the appropriate strategy and measures for tackling nuisance and energy wastage problems caused by external lighting, having regard to international experience and practices. Members of the Task Force are drawn from a wide cross section of the community, including professional bodies, relevant trades, the academic community and green groups.
Ends/Monday, August 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:59

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