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EPD takes action on concrete plants

The Environmental Protection Department said it does not tolerate concrete batching plants operating without a licence and will make every effort to stop any illegal operations.   The department made the statement in response to media reports yesterday of a concrete batching plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong continuing to operate without holding a valid Specified Process Licence (SPL).   The department has been closely monitoring the operation of two plants, both owned by China Concrete. The other plant is at 22 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong.   Regarding the plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street, the Air Pollution Control Appeal Board dismissed an appeal lodged by China Concrete against the department’s refusal of its application for renewal of an SPL for the plant on November 22.   Under the Air Pollution Control (Specified Processes) Regulations, the plant’s SPL ceased to be valid with immediate effect and the department issued a letter requesting that all works be halte

Cash allowance scheme set

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)   The Government will launch a three-year Cash Allowance Trial Scheme in late June to alleviate the livelihood difficulties faced by grassroots families who have been waiting for public rental housing for a long time.   At a press conference this afternoon, Permanent Secretary for Transport & Housing (Housing)/Director of Housing Agnes Wong said the cash allowance is not a rent subsidy and the recipients are not required to use it to pay for rent.   “This is purely to relieve their financial pressure while waiting for public rental housing.      “We aim to send out around 90,000 application forms to the eligible applicants by the end of this month. We urge them to complete the form and return it to us as soon as possible.”   The cash allowance amount is determined by the number of people in a public rental housing application who meet all eligibility criteria.   Along with other criteria, they must be general applicant households who have been waiting for public rental housing for more than three years without the first flat offer. Also, they must not be receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA).   The cash allowance levels are about half of the current maximum rent allowance under the CSSA, ranging from $1,300 for a one-person household to $3,900 for a household with six or more people.   Successful households will receive the cash allowance on a monthly basis via bank transfer.   An initiative announced by the Chief Executive in early 2020, the scheme will run until mid-2024. The Government will conduct a review at an appropriate time.   For enquiries, call 3105 3333 or send an email.  
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