Contents

Executive summary

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Project Organisation

1.3 Environmental Status in the Reporting Period

2 Summary of EM&A Requirements and Mitigation Measures

2.1 Monitoring Requirements

2.2 Environmental Mitigation Measures

3 Summary of EM&A Results

3.1 Monitoring Data

3.2 Monitoring Exceedances

3.2.1 1-hour TSP Monitoring

3.2.2 24-hour TSP Monitoring

3.2.3 Construction Noise Monitoring

3.2.4 Landscape and Visual Monitoring

4 Waste Management

5 Environmental Non-conformance

6 Comments, Recommendations and Conclusion

6.1 Comments

6.2 Recommendations

6.3 Conclusion

Figure 1 Site Layout Plan and Monitoring Stations

Appendices

A. Project Organisation

B. Construction Programme

C. Environmental Mitigation Measures – Implementation Status

D. Meteorological Data Extracted from Hong Kong Observatory

E. Graphical Plots of the Monitoring Results

F. Waste Flow table

G. Cumulative Statistics on Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

Executive summary

This Quarterly EM&A Report presents the monitoring works at Zone 2A conducted from 1 May 2021 to 31 July 2021.

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 contractors 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 Construction Noise monitoring in the 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 above-mentioned weekly site inspections during the reporting quarter. No adverse comment on landscape and visual aspects were made during these inspections.

Record of Complaints

Five environmental complaints (not related to Zone 2A) were received during the reporting quarter.

Record of Notifications of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

No notifications of summons and successful prosecutions were recorded in the reporting quarter.

# 1 Introduction

## 1.1 Background

Apex Testing & Certification Limited (Apex) was commissioned to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services (including environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A)) for the construction activities in Zone 2A at WKCD, consisting of Foundation, Excavation and Lateral Support Works for Integrated Basement and Underground Road (Contract No.: GW/2020/05/073). The construction works and EM&A programme for Zone 2A commenced on 3 October 2020.

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 1 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 falls under this same category.

The purpose of the development in Zone 2A is to reserve for Integrated Basement (IB) and Underground Road (UR). The Zone 2A construction activities involve the foundation, excavation and lateral support (ELS) works, road works, drainage diversion works, and temporary car parking.

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 at Zone 2A from 1 May 2021 to 31 July 2021. 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 Zone 2A undertaken include:

Zone 2A-1

● Grouting Works (Trial 1)

– Post Drilling

– Install Pump Wells

– Pumping Test

● Grouting Works (Trial 2)

– Pumping Test

● ELS (Stage 1) – Grouting / Pipe Pile Works

– King Post & Erection of Steel Column for Working Platform

● Socketed H-Pile Works

– Remaining Socketed H-Pile Works

● Bored Pile Works

– Bored Pile Construction

Zone 2A-2

● Bored Pile Works

– Additional Bored Pile Construction

● ELS (Stage 1) – Grouting / Pipe Pile Works

– Stage 1a & 1b Grouting

– Pipe 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 and Mitigation Measures

## 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 | AM3 - The Victoria Towers Tower 1 | At least once every 6 days | 152.4 μg/m3 | 260 μg/m3
1-Hour TSP | AM3 - The Victoria Towers Tower 1 | At least 3 times every 6 days | 280.4 μg/m3 | 500 μg/m3
24-Hour TSP | AM4 - Canton Road Government Primary School | At least once every 6 days | 152.6 μg/m3 | 260 μg/m3
1-Hour TSP | AM4 - Canton Road Government Primary School | At least 3 times every 6 days | 278.5 μg/m3 | 500 μg/m3
24-Hour TSP | AM5 - Topside Developments at West Kowloon Terminus Site | At least once every 6 days | 141.1 μg/m3 | 260 μg/m3
1-Hour TSP | AM5 - Topside Developments at West Kowloon Terminus Site | At least 3 times every 6 days | 275.4 μg/m3 | 500 μg/m3
Noise | Leq, 30 minutes | NM2 - The Arch, Sun Tower | Weekly | When one documented complaint is received from any one of the sensitive receivers | 75 dB(A)
Leq, 30 minutes | NM3 - The Victoria Towers Tower 1 | Weekly | When one documented complaint is received from any one of the sensitive receivers | 75 dB(A)
Leq, 30 minutes | NM4 - Canton Road Government Primary School | Weekly | When one documented complaint is received from any one of the sensitive receivers | 70/65 dB(A)^
Leq, 30 minutes | NM5 -Development next to Austin Station | 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

Note:

^70 dB(A) for schools and 65 dB(A) during school examination periods.

The EM&A programme for the Project require 5 air monitoring stations and 5 noise quality monitoring stations located closest to the Project area. With regard to the monitoring activities at M+ Museum and the Lyric Complex, three monitoring stations had been considered, including AM1, AM2 for air monitoring, and NM1 for noise monitoring. In the context of the construction activities in Zone 2A, all other monitoring locations including AM3, AM4, and AM5 for air monitoring; and NM2, NM3, NM4 and NM5 for noise monitoring, have been taken into account. However, access to all these originally designated monitoring stations was declined. Therefore, alternative monitoring stations was identified and proposed.

With regard to air monitoring, alternative monitoring locations (AM3A, AM4A, and AM5A) were identified at ground floor at the Northeast corner of West Kowloon Station’s station box, at ground floor at the Southeast corner of West Kowloon Station’s station box, and at ground floor at the North of West Kowloon Station’s station box respectively. AM3A, AM4A, and AM5A were set in same direction to the area of major construction site activities in Zone 2A. These alternative air monitoring locations (AM3A, AM4A, and AM5A) were approved by EPD on 29 September 2020.

For noise monitoring, alternative noise monitoring location (NM2A) was identified at the ground floor in front of The Arch - Sun Tower, which is at the same location as stated in the EM&A Manual for consistency. This alternative noise monitoring location was approved by EPD on 29 September 2020. Other alternative noise monitoring locations (NM3A, NM4A, and NM5A) were identified at the ground floor in front of the Xiqu Centre, at the ground floor next to Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station, and at the Pedestrian road (ground floor) outside West Kowloon Station respectively. NM3A, NM4A and NM5A were set closer to the construction site boundary with more direct line sight to the major site activities and higher exposure to the construction noise with no disturbance to the premises’ occupants during noise monitoring activities. These alternative noise monitoring locations (NM3A, NM4A, and NM5A) were approved by EPD on 29 September 2020.

Therefore, 3 air quality monitoring stations and 4 noise impact monitoring station were confirmed for the impact monitoring for construction activities in Zone 2A.

## 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 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 | AM3A | 31 | 57 | 41
1 hour TSP | AM4A | 31 | 59 | 42
1 hour TSP | AM5A | 31 | 58 | 42
24 hour TSP | AM3A | 30 | 53 | 38
24 hour TSP | AM4A | 29 | 58 | 39
24 hour TSP | AM5A | 31 | 52 | 39
Construction Noise |  |  |  |
Leq(30min) | NM2A | 58 | 60 | 59
Leq(30min) | NM3A | 69 | 70 | 70
Leq(30min) | NM4A | 63 | 69 | 68
Leq(30min) | NM5A | 65 | 67 | 66

## 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 |  |  |  |
AM3A | 1 hour TSP | 0 | 0 | N/A
24 hour TSP | 0 | 0 | N/A
AM4A | 1 hour TSP | 0 | 0 | N/A
24 hour TSP | 0 | 0 | N/A
AM5A | 1 hour TSP | 0 | 0 | N/A
24 hour TSP | 0 | 0 | N/A
Construction Noise |  |  |  |
NM2A | Leq(30min) | 0 | 0 | N/A
NM3A | Leq(30min) | 0 | 0 | N/A
NM4A | Leq(30min) | 0 | 0 | N/A
NM5A | 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 of 1-hour TSP for Air Quality 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 of 24-hour TSP for Air Quality 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 of Construction Noise 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 were recorded.

# 4 Waste Management

As advised by the Contractor, 240.72 tonnes, 1767.24 tonnes, 16644.89 tonnes of inert C&D material were disposed of as public fill to Chai Wan Public Fill Barging Point, Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Public Fill, and Tuen Mun Area 38 respectively in the reporting quarter, while 185.03 tonnes of general refuse were disposed of at NENT and SENT landfill. 134.13 tonnes of metals, 0.00 tonne of paper/cardboard packaging, 0.00 tonne of plastic and 0.00 tonne of timber were collected by recycling contractors in the reporting quarter. 0.00 tonne of inert C&D materials were reused on site. 0.00 tonne of fill materials were imported for use at site and 5132.00 tonnes of inert C&D materials was reused in other projects. 0.00 tonne of inert C&D materials was disposed to sorting facility and 0.40 tonnes 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 Zone 2A in the reporting quarter are shown in Appendix F.

# 5 Environmental Non-conformance

There was no breach of Action or Limit levels for Air Quality (1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP) and Construction Noise in the reporting quarter.

Five complaints (not related to Zone 2A) were received in the reporting quarter. No n otifications of summons and successful prosecutions were received in the reporting quarter.

The first complaint was received on 11 May 2021, WKCDA has received a complaint from the office of Mr. Derek Hung (YTMDC member) about the noise from WKCD site. The resident of Harbourside found that noise was generated from nearby construction site on Sunday 9 May 2021. After carrying out the investigation with the contractors, no construction works were undertaken on 9 May 2021 (Sunday) on WKCD Zone 2A site. Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site. However, the contractor is recommended to strictly maintain the noise mitigation measures on site to reduce impacts to nearby residents.

The second complaint was referred by EPD on 11 May 2021. Referring to the pictures provided by the complainant (a nearby resident), pollutant was spotted at the waterbody of Victoria Harbour near WKCD construction site between 7 May 2021 and 9 May 2021. After carrying out the investigation with the contractors, no abnormalities were found at the seafront of Victoria Harbour on 7 and 8 May 2021, and no construction works were undertaken by WKCD Zone 2A site on 9 May 2021. Thereby, the complaint could not be attributable to Zone 2A site. However, the contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site practices to avoid muddy water flowing into to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.

The third complaint was referred by EPD on 12 May 2021. Referring to the picture provided by the complainant (a resident of Harbourside), pollutant was spotted at the waterbody of Victoria Harbour near WKCD construction site on 9 May 2021. After carrying out the investigation with the contractors, no construction works were undertaken by WKCD Zone 2A site on 9 May 2021. Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site. However, the contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site practices to avoid muddy water flowing into to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.

The fourth complaint was referred by EPD on 7 June 2021. Referring to the email sent by EPD and the picture provided by the nearby complainant, pollutant was spotted in the water body of Victoria Harbour near WKCD construction site on 5 June 2021. After carrying out the investigation with the contractors, no abnormalities were found at the Zone 2A site seafront of Victoria Harbour on 5 June 2021. Moreover, the white splash/plume observed by the complainant was not generated from WKCD Zone 2A site boundary. Thereby, the complaint could not be attributable to Zone 2A site. However, the contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site practices to avoid muddy water flowing into to the water body of Victoria Harbour.

The fifth complaint was referred by EPD on 7 July 2021. EPD has received a complaint from a staff of Standard Chartered Elements Priority Banking Centre regarding construction noise from WKCD construction site (Artist Square Bridge (ASB) construction site). On 5 July 2021, WKCD staff has informed the complainant that the construction works of ASB project were scheduled to be carried out until noon every day. However, noise nuisance caused by ASB works usually lasts till 14:00 to 15:00 for consecutive 3 days. As the work place of the complainant is in close proximity of ASB project, daily noise exposure has become excessive, affecting daily duty performance and well-being of the complainant. Based on the description provided by the complainant, the noise source was not from WKCD Zone 2A site. Also, noise mitigation measures for construction works have been implemented and maintained on site. In addition, noise measurement and monitoring were carried out with no exceedance. Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site. However, the Contractor is recommended to maintain good practice on site, and strengthen the implementation of noise mitigation measures to reduce impacts to the nearby neighbours.

The cumulative statistics on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions were provided in Appendix G.

# 6 Comments, Recommendations and Conclusion

## 6.1 C omments

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 construction were recorded in the reporting quarter.

## 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 Zone 2A commenced on 3 October 2020.

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 or Limit levels for Air Quality (1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP) and Construction Noise in this reporting quarter.

Five complaints were received in the reporting quarter. No notifications of summons and successful prosecutions 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.