The Environmental Protection Department headquarters' removal to the Revenue Tower is necessary to bring senior management staff in different locations under one roof, the department says.

In response to a press report today claiming the removal wasted resources, the department said the move was part of its merger with the Environment, Transport & Works Bureau's Environment Branch.

It has not wasted resources in acquiring new furniture and equipment in the process, it added.

Senior directorates in many locations

Before the merger on April 1, staff of the branch were housed at Citibank Tower while the department's senior directorates were in different locations including Southorn Centre, Revenue Tower and Island West Refuse Transfer Station.

From a management perspective, the new organisation cannot function effectively if senior staff have to waste precious office hours travelling between different offices for internal meetings, the department noted.

The former department's headquarters at Southorn Centre had a floor area of 1,000 square metres where senior department directorate staff were accommodated.

After the merger, the number of directorate staff at the headquarters had increased from six to 12, and there was insufficient space at Southorn Centre to accommodate them.

Operational efficiency achieved

New space for the headquarters is needed to allow the senior management to work together as a team to achieve operational efficiency.

The department stressed that all accommodation and fitting out at the new headquarters were in strict compliance with the Government guidelines and standards. Old furniture and office equipment were relocated from the previous offices to the new headquarters.