COLEX COMPOST PLANT AT OLD TOH TUCK ROAD (Measures to abate stench)

The following Question stood in the name of Dr Wang Kai Yuen -

Dr Wang Kai Yuen: To ask the Minister for the Environment what steps are being taken by his Ministry to abate the stench emanating from the Colex Compost Plant at Toh Tuck Road.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: Question No. 16, Sir.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, last month, my Ministry received many public complaints of strong and persistent smell from the Colex Compost Plant at the old Toh Tuck Road. Before that, there were occasional complaints of paint smell. The strongest smell was a result of changes in the composting process. On my Ministry's instructions, Colex has reverted to the original process and the smell has stopped. The Government is examining whether composting can continue at its site and, if allowed, the operator will be required to have effective odour prevention measures.

Mr Chin Harn Tong (Aljunied GRC): Is there a permanent solution to the problem?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, a permanent solution would be to totally enclose the plant and to have the gases from the enclosed plant deodorised before discharge. This is going to be expensive and can only be imposed if Colex is given a longer lease on the land. We have asked URA to decide, from the land use point of view, if the plant could be allowed a longer period of lease at its present site. 1.30 pm

Mr Speaker: End of Question Time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), written answers to Questions Nos. 17 to 23 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the section,'Oral Answers to Questions Not Reached' (Cols. 289 - 294).]