The Buildings Department approved 21 building plans in June, with seven on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and 10 in the New Territories.
 
     Of the approved plans, nine were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial developments, seven were for factory and industrial developments, and one was for community services developments.
 
     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on six building projects which, when completed, will provide 13 454 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 97 units, and 26 723 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for six building projects.
 
     The department also issued 19 occupation permits, with seven on Hong Kong Island, seven in Kowloon and five in the New Territories.
 
     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 124 793 sq m involving 1 871 units, and 126 401 sq m was for non-domestic use.
 
     The declared cost of new buildings completed in June totalled about $11 billion.
 
     In addition, 10 demolition consents involving 10 building structures were issued.
 
     The department received 2 911 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in June and issued 1 439 removal orders on UBWs.
 
     The full version of the Monthly Digest for June can be viewed on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

     Hong Kong Golden Plastic Limited in Ping Shan, Yuen Long was convicted and fined $16,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 20) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) as a result of not complying with the requirements of an air pollution abatement notice to reduce odour emission from the production of plastic pellets.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) recently stepped up law enforcement actions against non-compliant operations of plastic recycling workshops. Staff of the EPD conducted an inspection of Ping Shan, Yuen Long in November last year and confirmed that the workshop operated there by Hong Kong Golden Plastic Limited was causing an odour nuisance by producing plastic pellets after an assessment. Under the APCO, the EPD issued an air pollution abatement notice to Hong Kong Golden Plastic Limited, requesting the company to improve the situation by a deadline. After the expiry of the deadline, enforcement officers of the EPD conducted two follow-up inspections of the workshop in March this year and discovered that the situation was not improving. Subsequently, the EPD initiated a prosecution against the company.

     A spokesman for the EPD reminded operators of plastic recycling workshops that they must properly service and maintain their plastic management facilities with a view to ensuring their effective operation. Operators of plastic recycling workshops should equip them with suitable and effective air pollution control equipment, for instance, adopting fully enclosed production lines and installing effective ventilation and air purifying systems for their workshops and production lines to reduce air pollutant emissions. In addition, operators of plastic recycling workshops should arrange for experienced technicians to carry out regular inspections and maintenance so as to avoid causing air pollution nuisances to residents nearby. The EPD will continue to step up inspections of plastic recycling workshops with a view to strictly combating illegal activities.

     According to the APCO, anyone failing to comply with any requirement of an air pollution abatement notice commits an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on first conviction. A maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on subsequent convictions.

     A correctional officer stopped a 23-year-old male remand person in custody from attempting suicide by hanging in Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre yesterday (August 19).

     At 10.23pm yesterday, a correctional officer found the remand person in custody attempting suicide by hanging himself with a bed sheet tied to the grille bar of a cell. The officer immediately stopped the act and called for reinforcements. The remand person in custody was subsequently referred to a public hospital for treatment and is conscious. A clinical psychologist of the department will follow up on the case.

     A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department uses all possible measures to prevent persons in custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first aid services."

     The person in custody was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug in April 2019.

Attention TV/Radio Announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District resumed today (August 20). The lifesaving services at the beach were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 20) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.