The Environmental Protection Department has awarded the restoration work contract for Pillar Point Valley Landfill in Tuen Mun to Swire SITA Waste Services.

The contractor is required to design and build restoration facilities including leachate and landfill gas management systems and an engineered capping layer.

Other works include improvements to slope stability, landscaping, and designing and building other ancillary facilities. The contractor will also operate and maintain the completed restoration facilities. Construction will be completed by mid-2006.

The capital cost of the restoration works is $221 million, and the cost of operating and maintaining the restoration facilities is about $9.4 million per annum.

Safety priority

Assistant Director of Environmental Protection Dr Ellen Chan said the landfill will be properly restored to minimise adverse environmental impact and prevent potential safety hazards arising from the site.

"The operation and maintenance of the restoration facilities may last up to 30 years depending on the rate of degradation of the waste in the landfill, which will be monitored regularly," she said.

"This design, build and operate contract will be implemented to meet stringent environmental and safety standards."

The landfill was closed in 1996. It is the last of the 13 closed landfills in Hong Kong to be restored.