Contents
This Quarterly EM&A Report presents the monitoring works at both the main works of M+ Museum from 1 November 2016 to 31 January 2017 and foundation works of Lyric Theatre Complex conducted from 1 November 2016 to 31 January 2017.
The impact stage EM&A programme for the Project includes air quality, noise, water quality, waste, landscape and visual monitoring. The recommended environmental mitigation measures were implemented on site and regular inspections were carried out to ensure that the environmental conditions are acceptable.
The EM&A programme was carried out by the ET in accordance with the EM&A Manual requirements. It is concluded from the environmental monitoring and audit works that adequate environmental mitigation measures have been implemented by the foundation works contractor where appropriate in the reporting quarter.
Exceedance of Action and Limit Levels
There was no breach of Action or Limit levels for Air Quality (1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP) and Noise in this reporting quarter.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures
Construction phase weekly site inspections were carried out to confirm the implementation measures undertaken by the Contractors in the reporting quarter. The status of implementation of mitigation measures during the reporting quarter is shown in Appendix C.
Landscape and visual impact inspections were conducted as part of the abovementioned weekly site inspections during the reporting quarter. No adverse comment on landscape and visual aspects was made during these inspections.
EPD site inspection with Contractor was conducted on 25 November 2016, 6 and 19 January 2017 at M+ Museum. No malpractice was observed.
EPD site inspection with Contractor was conducted on 3 November 2016 at Lyric Theatre Complex. No sampling, no issuance of notices nor prosecution was taken.
Record of Complaints
Two environmental complaints regarding muddy water appeared at seafront of Lyric Theatre were recorded in the reporting quarter.
Record of Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
One notification of summons was received by the contractor of M+ Museum, Hsin Chong Construction Company Limited, in December 2016. The summons is currently under review and the status of summons will be provided in the next reporting quarter. No successful prosecution was recorded in the reporting quarter.
1
Introduction
1.1
Background
Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited (MMHK) was commissioned to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services (including environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A)) for the construction of M+ Museum Main Works (Contract No.: CC/2015/3A/022) and Lyric Theatre Complex Foundation Works (Contract No.: CC/2015/3A/014) at West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) (The Project) as part of the WKCD development. The Project Proponent is the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA). The construction works and EM&A programme for M+ Museum and Lyric Theatre Complex commenced on 31 October 2015 and 1 March 2016 respectively.
The overall works for the WKCD fall under two separate categories of Designated Project (DP) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), namely an “engineering feasibility study of urban development projects with a study area covering more than 20 ha or involving a total population of more than 100 000” (Item 3 of Schedule 3) and “an underpass more than 100m in length under the built areas” (Item A.9, Part I, Schedule 2). An Environmental Permit No. EP-453/2013/B (EP) was issued with respect to the “Underpass Road and Austin Road Flyover Serving the West Kowloon Cultural District” which specifically includes the abovementioned category of DP under Item A.9, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO. The captioned projects include part of the abovementioned underpass road located within the site boundary also falls under this same category.
The M+ museum development aims to provide an iconic presence for the M+ museum, semi-transparent vertical plane, housing education facilities, a public restaurant and museum offices. At ground and lower levels, generous access will be provided to the park and other West Kowloon Cultural District facilities, alongside a public resource centre, theatres, retail and dining, and back-of-house functions.
The 1,200-seat Lyric Theatre Complex will be Hong Kong’s first world-class facility for dance performances, including ballet, contemporary and Chinese dance forms. In the run up to the opening of further major performing arts venues in the WKCD, it will also be used for a wide variety of performing arts events including drama, opera and musical performances. The Lyric Theatre Complex will act as a platform for Hong Kong’s leading arts organisations, and be a new major venue to show programmes from Asia and worldwide.
The Quarterly EM&A Report is prepared in accordance with the Clause 3.4 of the Environmental Permit No. EP-453/2013/B. This Quarterly EM&A Report presents the monitoring works conducted from 1 November 2016 to 31 January 2017. The purpose of this report is to summarise the findings in the EM&A of the project over the reporting period.
1.2
Project Organisation
The organisation chart and lines of communication with respect to the on-site environmental management structure together with the contact information of the key personnel are shown in Appendix A.
1.3
Environmental Status in the Reporting Period
During the reporting period, construction works at M+ Museum undertaken include:
● Construction of slab
● Construction of pile caps
● Construction of columns & walls
● Construction of sump pits
● Installation of megastruss
● Construction of basement structure
● Construction of DCS structure from B1 to LGF
● Construction of transformer room, LV switch room and water tank
During the reporting period, construction works at Lyric Theatre Complex undertaken include:
● Predrilling
● Pre-grouting adjacent to Seawall
● Pipe Pile Construction
● Socket-H Pile Construction
● Bored Pile Construction
The Construction Works Programme of the Project is provided in Appendix B. A layout plan of the Project is provided in Figure 1.
2
Summary of EM&A Requirements
2.1
Monitoring Requirements
In accordance with the EM&A Manual, environmental parameters including air quality, noise, landscape and visual have been monitored. The specific parameters, monitoring frequency and the respective Action and Limit levels are given in Table 2.1. Locations of the monitoring stations are provided in Figure 1.
Table 2.1: Summary of Impact EM&A Requirements
|
Parameters |
Descriptions |
Locations |
Frequencies |
Action level |
Limit level |
|
Air Quality |
24-Hour TSP |
AM1 - International Commerce Centre |
At least once every 6 days |
143.6 μg/m3 |
260 μg/m3 |
|
1-Hour TSP |
AM1 - International Commerce Centre |
At least 3 times every 6 days |
273.7 μg/m3 |
500 μg/m3 |
|
|
24-Hour TSP |
AM2A – Austin Road West opposite to The Harbourside Tower 1 |
At least once every 6 days |
151.1 μg/m3 |
260 μg/m3 |
|
|
1-Hour TSP |
AM2A – Austin Road West opposite to The Harbourside Tower 1 |
At least 3 times every 6 days |
274.2 μg/m3 |
500 μg/m3 |
|
|
Noise |
Leq, 30 minutes |
NM1A- Podium level of The Harbourside Tower 1 |
Weekly |
When one documented complaint is received from any one of the sensitive receivers |
75 dB(A) |
|
Landscape & Visual |
Monitor implementation of proposed mitigation measures during the construction stage |
As described in Table 9.1 and 9.2 of the EM&A Manual |
Bi-weekly |
N/A |
N/A |
Given that the Project covers only a small part of the whole WKCD area (i.e. M+ Museum, Lyric Theatre Complex and respective portions of underpass road), it was proposed that the EM&A programme for the Project should only require 1 noise monitoring station and 2 air quality monitoring stations located closest to the Project area. Currently, the works under the captioned project are confined in the western part of the WKCD site. Therefore, only the monitoring stations AM1, AM2 were set up. However, the electricity supply at AM2 was suspended from 31 August 2016 and was no longer available. In order to have a more secure electricity supply, an alternative air monitoring location (AM2A) was identified at Austin Road West opposite to The Harbourside Tower 1, which is close to Lyric Theatre Complex site entrance. This alternative air monitoring location was approved by EPD on 28 September 2016. Approval from the management office of the International Commerce Centre has been granted on 29 February 2016 for conducting noise monitoring at the alternative noise monitoring location identified at the podium floor (NM1A) which is free from screening to the construction activities. Therefore, 2 air quality monitoring stations and 1 noise impact monitoring station were confirmed for the impact monitoring.
2.2
Environmental Mitigation Measures
Environmental mitigation measures have been recommended in the EM&A Manual. Summary of implementation status of the environmental mitigation measures is provided in Appendix C.
3
Summary of EM&A Monitoring
Results
3.1
Monitoring Data
In accordance with the EM&A Manual, impact monitoring has been conducted in the reporting quarter. Meteorological data for the reporting quarter have been extracted from Hong Kong Observatory and presented in Appendix D. Monitoring data with graphical presentation for the reporting quarter are shown in Appendix E. A summary on the monitoring results are presented in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1: Summary of Monitoring Data
|
Parameter |
Monitoring Location |
Minimum |
Maximum |
Average |
|
Air Quality |
|
|
|
|
|
1 hour TSP |
AM1 |
49 |
102 |
72 |
|
1 hour TSP |
AM2A |
54 |
121 |
81 |
|
24 hour TSP |
AM1 |
40 |
52 |
46 |
|
24 hour TSP |
AM2A |
50 |
92 |
69 |
|
Construction Noise |
|
|
|
|
|
Leq(30min) |
NM1A |
67.6 |
69.9 |
68.9 |
|
Remarks: 1. 1-hr and 24-hr TSP impact monitoring was conducted at AM2 station during the reporting month of August 2016. 2. 1-hr and 24-hr 24-hr TSP impact monitoring has been relocated to conduct at AM2A station starting from the reporting month of September 2016. 3. 24-hr TSP impact monitoring at AM2 station on 31 August 2016 and at AM2A station on 6 September 2016 was suspended due to electricity issue. |
||||
3.2
Monitoring Exceedances
Summary of the exceedances in the reporting quarter is tabulated in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2: Summary of Exceedances
|
Monitoring Station |
Parameter |
No. of Exceedance |
Action Taken |
|
|
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|||
|
Air Quality |
|
|
|
|
|
AM1 |
1 hour TSP |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
24 hour TSP |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
|
AM2A |
1 hour TSP |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
24 hour TSP |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
|
Construction Noise |
|
|
|
|
|
NM1A |
Leq(30min) |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
3.2.1
1-hour TSP
Monitoring
All 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting quarter. No Action/ Limit Level exceedance was recorded.
3.2.2
24-hour TSP
Monitoring
All 24-hour TSP monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting quarter. No Action/ Limit Level exceedance was recorded.
3.2.3
Construction
Noise Monitoring
All construction noise monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting quarter. No Action/ Limit Level exceedance was recorded.
3.2.4
Landscape and
Visual Monitoring
All landscape and visual impact inspections were conducted as scheduled in the reporting quarter. No adverse comment on landscape and visual aspects was recorded.
4
Waste Management
4.1
M+ Museum
As advised by the Contractor, 9.8 tons, 284.6 tons and 925.8 tons of inert C&D material were disposed of as public fill to Chai Wan Public Fill Barging Point, Tuen Mun Area 38 and Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Public Fill respectively, while 297.8 tons of general refuse was disposed of at SENT landfill. 178.7 tons of metals (the total amount of metals generated in Jan 2017 will be updated in the Appendix F of the Quarterly EM&A Report for the next reporting quarter), 2.2 tons of paper/cardboard packaging, 0 ton of plastic and 203.0 tons of timber were collected by recycling contractors in the reporting quarter. 0 ton of inert C&D materials was reused on site. 3,552.0 tons of inert C&D materials was reused in other projects. 0 ton of chemical wastes was collected by licensed contractors in the reporting quarter.
The actual amounts of different types of waste generated by the activities of construction works at M+ Museum in the reporting quarter are shown in Appendix F.
4.2
Lyric Theatre Complex
As advised by the Contractor, 11,152.2 tons and 23,367.9 tons of inert C&D material were disposed of as public fill to Tuen Mun Area 38 and Tseung Kwan O Area 137 respectively, while 26.5 tons of general refuse was disposed of at SENT landfill. 118.0 tons of metals, 0 ton of paper/cardboard packaging, 0 ton of plastic and 0 ton of timber were collected by recycling contractors in the reporting quarter. 0 ton of inert C&D materials was reused on site. 0 ton of inert C&D materials was reused in other projects. 2.7 tons of chemical wastes was collected by licensed contractors in the reporting quarter.
The actual amounts of different types of waste generated by the activities of construction works at Lyric Theatre Complex in the reporting quarter are shown in Appendix F.
5
Environmental Non-conformance
Two environmental complaints were referred from EPD on 4 November 2016 and 14 November 2016 in the reporting quarter. The complaints were handled in accordance with the EM&A Manual and relevant parties including the Engineer’s Representative and IEC were informed of the complaint.
A complaint regarding muddy water appearing at the seafront of Lyric Theatre in the afternoon of 3 November 2016 was referred from EPD on 4 November 2016. At 17:00 on 3 November 2016, EPD inspectors arrived at Lyric Theatre. No muddy water was found at the seafront and the nearest piling machine was not in operation. In the evening of 3 November 2016, the complainant reported muddy water was not observed at 5 p.m. but appeared again at 6 p.m. Investigation results revealed that the main construction activities carried out included construction of clutched pipe pile near seafront area. It was noticed that there were two concrete outfall structures located near the seafront area, which might have been the cause of the muddy water observed near the seafront. The piling works at the concerned area was ceased and the corresponding piling machine was temporarily mobilized to other works front. The contractor has taken follow-up actions including carrying out additional pre-grouting which aimed to form a grout curtain screen to prevent any leaks to the harbour when carrying out piling works. The contractor has also deployed additional site staff to closely monitor the condition of the harbour.
A complaint regarding muddy water appeared at the seafront of Lyric Theatre was received on 14 November 2016. Investigation results revealed that the main construction activities carried out included construction of clutched pipe pile near the seafront area. At the concerned location, there is a small landing area with stairs. The suspected cause of the incident were leaks at the seawall. The contractor has stopped the piling works at the concerned area, mobilised the mini-piling rig for construction and installed additional pre-grout hole along the seawall area. Additional pre-grouting work at the concerned area have been carried out and frontline supervisor have been appointed to closely monitor the harbour.
One notification of summons regarding M+ Museum construction site was issued concerning discharge on 2 July 2016 of which suspended solids exceeded the limits stated in the table under Specific Condition B1 of the license numbered WT00023633-2016 granted on 4 April 2016 under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, and was issued to the contractor, Hsin Chong Construction Company Limited on 13 December 2016. It is currently under review and the status of summons will be provided in the next reporting quarter.
The cumulative statistics on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions were provided in Appendix G.
6
Comments, Recommendations and
Conclusion
6.1
Comments
Based on the observations made during site audits and landscape inspections, and construction dust and noise monitoring results, no non-compliances and exceedances of air quality and noise limits were recorded.
6.2
Recommendations
Reviewing the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures in the EM&A Manual, it was observed that they were effective and efficient in controlling the potential impacts due to construction of the project during the reporting period. Review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the EM&A programme will continue, and recommendations will be provided to remediate any potential impacts due to the project and to improve the EM&A programme if deficiencies of the existing EM&A programme are identified.
6.3
Conclusion
The EM&A programme as recommended in the EM&A Manual has been undertaken since the construction works of M+ Museum main works commenced on 31 October 2015, and the construction of Lyric Theatre Complex foundation works commenced on 1 March 2016.
Monitoring of air quality and noise with respect to the Project is underway. In particular, the 1-hour TSP, 24-hour TSP, noise level (as Leq, 30 minutes) under monitoring have been checked against established Action and Limit levels. There was no breach of Action and Limit Levels for 1-hour TSP, 24-hour TSP and noise in the reporting quarter.
Two environmental complaints, one notification of summons and no successful prosecution were received during the reporting quarter.
Weekly construction phase site inspections and bi-weekly landscape and visual impact inspections were conducted during the reporting quarter as required. It was observed that the Contractor had implemented all possible and feasible mitigation measures to mitigate the potential environmental impacts during construction phase works.