GEORGE TOWN: The Jelutong Waste Disposal Site rehabilitation project here is continuing despite the Environment Department (DOE) rejecting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report in March.
State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the rejection of the EIA was not final, but instead required improvements and compliance with technical comments set by the DOE.
He said the state government was also of the view that the project was important in addressing existing safety and pollution issues at the site, including fire risks, gas emissions, leachate and instability of the landfill structure.
"Any approval for an extension of time for this project will be subject to the consideration and approval of the State Executive Council.
"Although development in the area is continuing, the core area of Middle Bank remains protected, with all nearby projects required to comply with strict conditions,” he said during the winding-up session of the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting here on Wednesday (May 13).
H’ng said gazetting Middle Bank as a Marine Sanctuary and Environmentally Sensitive Area could have legal implications and potentially hamper development planning for the site project, which is located within 500m of the area.
However, he said the state government was of the view that the gazettement should be implemented strategically, taking into account major nearby development projects such as the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project, mixed-development projects and port expansion plans that are important to the state’s economy.
The proposed reclamation project at the 34.4halandfill site involves excavation and rehabilitation works at the landfill, as well as reclaiming the adjacent coastal area north of the Penang Bridge to temporarily place waste excavated from the landfill site.
A mixed-development project will then be carried out on the reclaimed land.
Earlier, the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee submitted a memorandum to the state government, urging the state Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to investigate the agreement related to the rehabilitation project. — Bernama
