The Fanling Magistracy has fined a transportation firm and two dump truck drivers $10,000 each over convictions of dumping waste materials on government land and adjoining private land near Shing Mun Reservoir earlier this year.

They were involved in a complaint lodged with the Environmental Protection Department late February about the unauthorised dumping of construction and demolition materials at Shing Mun Road near the reservoir.

The department welcomed the ruling today and said it should have a deterrent effect on illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste in rural areas.

Guidelines formulated

It is formulating guidelines for the concerned trades, including the construction and transportation sectors, to remind them of their responsibility and legal requirements.

It is also developing a database on similar cases with other government departments to facilitate government departments' effective and co-ordinated action.

Under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, people depositing waste in any place without lawful authority or the owner's permission may face a fine of up to $200,000 and six months' jail for the first offence.