Executive
summary
This Quarterly EM&A Report
presents the monitoring works conducted at Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C from 1 August
2022 to 31 October 2022.
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) in this reporting quarter.
Four Action Level exceedances (due to four noise
related environmental complaints) with no Limit Level exceedance of
Construction Noise was recorded 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
Six environmental complaints 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.
1.1
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,
consisting of Foundation, Excavation and Lateral Support Works for Integrated
Basement and Underground Road (Contract No.: GW/2020/05/073) ; and Zone 2B
& 2C consisting of Piling Works for Integrated Basement and Underground
Road (Contract No.: CC/2020/2B/088) at WKCD. The major construction works and EM&A
programme for Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C commenced on 3 October 2020 and 30
September 2021 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 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 and Zone 2B & 2C 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 Zone 2B & 2C construction
activities involve the piling works.
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 and
Zone 2B & 2C from
1 August 2022 to 31 October
2022. The purpose of
this report is to summarise the findings in the EM&A of the project over
the reporting period.
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.
During the reporting period,
construction works at Zone 2A undertaken include:
Zone 2A-1
● ELS
(Stage 1) – Grouting / Pipe Pile Works
–
Stage 2 Grouting
● Pumping
Test
–
Pumping Test
●
BA14 Submission
– Prepare
and Submit BA14
– BD
Acknowledgement of BA14
● Hoarding
Modification
– Hoarding
Modification
Zone 2A-2
●
BA14 Submission
– Prepare
and Submit BA14
– BD
Acknowledgement of BA14
During the reporting period, construction works
at Zone 2B & 2C undertaken include:
KD03 (Stage 3-1), KD06 (Section 2), KD07
(Section 3)
● Bored Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
KD05 (Section 1)
●
Predrilling
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
KD08 (Section 4)
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
●
Socketed
Steel H Piling
KD09 (Section 5)
●
Predrilling
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
●
Socketed
Steel H Piling
The Construction Works Programme of the
Project is provided in Appendix B. A
layout plan of the Project is provided in Figure 1.
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
and Zone 2B & 2C, 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 and Zone 2B & 2C.
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.
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
|
35
|
73
|
55
|
|
1
hour
TSP
|
AM4A
|
31
|
77
|
54
|
|
1
hour
TSP
|
AM5A
|
31
|
76
|
55
|
|
24
hour
TSP
|
AM3A
|
31
|
68
|
51
|
|
24
hour
TSP
|
AM4A
|
30
|
68
|
50
|
|
24
hour
TSP
|
AM5A
|
29
|
66
|
50
|
|
Construction Noise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM2A
|
61
|
62
|
62
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM3A
|
62
|
65
|
64
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM4A
|
61
|
65
|
63
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM5A
|
64
|
66
|
65
|
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)
|
4 exceedances due to noise related
environmental complaints
|
0
|
Strengthen the implementation of noise
mitigation measures
|
|
NM3A
|
Leq(30min)
|
0
|
|
NM4A
|
Leq(30min)
|
0
|
|
NM5A
|
Leq(30min)
|
0
|
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.
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.
All construction noise monitoring was
conducted as scheduled in the reporting quarter. Four
Action Level exceedances (due to noise related environmental complaints) with
no Limit Level exceedance of Noise was recorded in the reporting quarter.
All landscape and visual impact inspections were conducted as
scheduled in the reporting quarter. No adverse comment on landscape and visual
aspects were recorded.
As advised by the Contractor, 56.64 tonnes and 156.53 tonnes of inert
C&D material were disposed of as public fill to Tseung
Kwan O Area 137 and Tuen Mun Area 38 respectively in the reporting quarter, while 31.70 tonnes of general refuse were disposed of at SENT
landfill. 0.0 tonne
of metals, 0.0 tonne of paper/cardboard packaging, 0.0 tonne of plastic and 0.0
tonne of timber were collected by recycling contractors in the reporting
quarter. 104.29 tonnes of inert C&D materials were reused on site. 0.0
tonne of fill materials were imported for use at site and 0.0 tonne of inert
C&D materials was reused in other projects. 5.75 tonnes of inert C&D
materials were disposed to sorting facility and 0.0 tonne of chemical wastes
was collected by licensed contractors in the reporting quarter.
As
advised by the Zone 2B & 2C Contractor, 20.40 tonnes, 26353.06 tonnes and
71638.46 tonnes of inert C&D material were disposed of as public fill to Chai Wan Public
Fill Barging Point, Tseung Kwan O Area
137 and Tuen Mun Area 38 respectively in the
reporting quarter, while 88.37 tonnes of general refuse were
disposed of at SENT landfill. 102.43 tonnes of metals, 0.0 tonne of
paper/cardboard packaging, 0.0 tonne of plastics and 0.0 tonne of timber was
collected by recycling contractors in the reporting quarter. 11276.93 tonnes of
inert C&D material were reused on site. 0.0 tonne of inert C&D material
was imported for reuse at site and 8848.07 tonnes of inert C&D material
were reused in other projects. 0.0 tonne of inert C&D material was disposed
to sorting facility and 0.0 tonne of chemical waste 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 and
Zone 2B & 2C in the reporting quarter are shown in Appendix F.
There was no breach of Action or Limit Levels for Air Quality (1-hour
TSP and 24-hour TSP) in the reporting quarter.
Four Action Level exceedances due to noise
related environmental complaints with no Limit Level exceedance of Construction
Noise was recorded in the reporting quarter.
Six complaints
were received in the reporting quarter. Two complaints in August, two
complaints in September and two complaints in October. No notifications of summons and successful prosecutions were received in
the reporting quarter.
On 23 August 2022, the EPD
has received a complaint from a public regarding polluted water discharge at
WKCD construction on Sunday, and referred it to the WKCDA on 24 August 2022.
The complainant claimed that "尖沙咀近西九地盤星期日有泥水流出維港" (There was muddy water flowing out to the Victoria Harbour
from WKCD construction site, which is near to the Tsim
Sha Tsui, on Sunday.) Investigation at Zone 2A site
revealed that no construction activity was undertaken on Zone 2A site on
Sundays. Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site.
Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site
practices to avoid water pollution to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.
Investigation at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that no construction works
involving muddy water discharge were conducted and no water discharge was made
on 21 August 2022, protective measures were observed effective in preventing
potential overflow from the site. Based on the description and photos provided
by the complainant, the concerned water discharge observed might possibly from
the existing DN1350 pipeline outlet which is an underground permanent drainage
pipeline connected from the public area to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour
nearby the seafront site boundary of Zone 2B & 2C site. Thereby, the
complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2B & 2C site. Nonetheless,
the Contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site practices to avoid
water pollution to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.
WKCD Contact Centre has
received a complaint from a resident from the Arch, Ms. Chiu, regarding noise
nuisance, air pollution, nighttime light nuisance and
crane boom affected the residential view on 26 August 2022; the EPD has also
received the same complaint referred by the Mr. HUNG, the district
councillor, on 29 August 2022; and
the complaint was referred to the WKCDA on 26 and 29 August 2022 respectively. The complainant claimed that "本人居於九龍站上蓋凱旋門單位，面向中環及灣仔海景及西九文化區，但係可惜 西九文化區附近的數個地盤工地正正就在本人住宅單位面向的範圍，雖然本人已經住在三十幾樓的高層但卻飽受工地的噪音滋擾、空氣污染、晚上燈光滋擾及吊臂影響住宅景觀! 這工地在晨早七時已經開工，晚上六時還不收工，在早上 極度嘈吵的工地噪音把本人及家人吵醒，而且製造極大的空氣污染及塵埃，並長期積水和衛生問題引來很多蚊蟲飛入本人的單位，試想像怎可能在三十幾樓的單位都會有蚊蟲飛入?! 管理處告知經調查是工地附近的積水所致! 加上晚上六七時，工地還沒有關閉，晚上開著的巨型射燈的燈光非常影響我們住戶的休息! 加上工地的十數支吊臂有礙我們海景的景觀，而且有四支非常高的吊臂高致我們30多樓，完全有礙觀瞻及影響我們住戶的風水! 在此，我們鄭重地向 西九文化區作出投訴，對於政府管理工地不善，任由工地的承辦商在早上及晚上運作，並且在沒有 運作的時間也不把吊臂退下來，持續有愛我們的景觀，而且空氣、聲音及光線污染非常嚴重地令我們的生活，我們受到極嚴重困擾! 對此我們強烈地譴責政府的管理不善，並要求相關部門從速改善和監管工地的承辦商!" The complainant claimed that the
construction works at WKCD during morning and nighttime
causing air, noise, light pollution and landscape & visual impact which
seriously affected the complainant. The complainant has raised concerns as
below: 1. Noise was generated in the early morning at 7am and construction
works continue after 6pm which cause disturbance to the complainant; 2. Large
amount of dust was generated from construction sites causing air pollution; 3.
Stagnant water and sanitation problems have attracted many mosquitoes to fly
into the complainant’s premises; 4. Light from the giant spotlight turned on
during nighttime affected the resting time of the
residents; 5. Dozen of jibs from the cranes on the
construction sites and four particularly high jibs which obstructed the view of
the complainant’s premises. Investigation at Zone 2A site revealed that the
major construction activities on Zone 2A were carried out between 8:30 am and
6:30 pm in August 2022 (from Monday to Saturday). There was no nighttime work on Zone 2A site, and no work was carried on
Sundays and Public Holidays. Preventive and mitigation measures for noise,
dust, mosquito and visual have been implemented and properly maintained
on-site. Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site.
Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to strictly implement and maintain
good site practices to reduce impacts to the nearby neighbors.
Investigation at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that some concerned noise might
possibly be related to the construction activities carried out on WKCD Zone 2B
& 2C site. However, these construction activities were in compliance with
the permitted working hours based on the granted CNP No.GW-RE0718-22.
Preventive and mitigation measures for noise, dust, mosquito and visual have
been implemented and properly maintained on-site. Thereby, the complaint might
not be completely attributable to the Zone 2B & 2C site. Nonetheless, the
Contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site practices to avoid
noise, dust, and visual impact to the nearby neighbors.
On 04 September 2022, the
EPD has received a complaint from a public regarding polluted water discharge
at WKCD construction site on 26 July 2022 and referred the case to the WKCDA on
05 September 2022. Investigation at Zone 2A site revealed that the location of
the concerned feculent water was not within the boundary of Zone 2A site. There
was no feculent water flowing from Zone 2A site into the waterbody of Victoria Harbor during the self-inspection and neither from the
picture provided by the complainant. No abnormalities were found at the Zone 2A
site boundary. Thereby, the concerned feculent water on 26 July 2022 was not
from WKCD Zone 2A site. Protective measures were properly maintained to avoid
water leakage from the site. Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable
to the Zone 2A site. Observed feculent brownish debris spread on 26 July 2022
from the pier of Tsim Sha Tsui
Fire Station into the waterbody of Victoria Harbor,
might possibly be the source of the feculent water showed at the pier of Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station in one
of the pictures provided by the complainant. Nonetheless, the Contractor is
recommended to strictly maintain good site practices to avoid water pollution.
Investigation at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that the locations of the
concerned discharge were not within the boundary of Zone 2B & 2C site.
Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2B & 2C site.
Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site
practices to avoid water pollution to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.
On 08 September 2022, the
EPD has received a complaint from a public regarding noise pollution at WKCD
construction site and referred the case to the WKCDA on the same day. The
complainant claimed that:“居民投訴西九龍文化區3B區打槄噪音, 今早07:00開始, 要求環保署跟進回覆. 早上七時太早”(Resident claims that noise generated from piling works from WKCD
Zone 3B starting from early morning at 7 a.m.). Investigation at Zone 2A site
revealed that no site activity was conducted before 8:00 a.m. and no piling work
was carried out on Zone 2A site on 08 September 2022. Thereby, the complaint
might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site. Nonetheless, the Contractor is
recommended to maintain close monitoring of noise control on site, and
strengthen the implementation of noise mitigation measures to reduce impacts to
the nearby residents. Investigation at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that some
noise might be related to the general construction activities conducted at Zone
2B & 2C site. However, those construction activities were conducted from
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., which were within statutory working hour; and there was
no percussive piling conducted at Zone 2B & 2C site on 08 September 2022.
Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to maintain close monitoring of noise
control on site, and strengthen the implementation of noise mitigation measures
to reduce impacts to the nearby residents.
On 07 October 2022, the EPD
and Communications and Public Affairs Department/WKCDA have received a
complaint from Mr. Leung, assistant of Mr. HUNG, the district councilor of Yau Tsim Mong District Council (YTMDC), regarding noise
pollution at WKCD construction site. The
complainant claimed that:“本年3月至4月期間，就本辦事處轉介九龍站住戶投訴有關西九文化區地盤每天早上持續發出高頻率的施工噪音滋擾問題，感謝閣下於本年5月份回函並採取了多項措施，有關施工噪音滋擾情況亦見有所改善。然而，近日再次接連收到有居民投訴，上述地盤的噪音滋擾又趨嚴重，每天早上7時已經開動大型機器，直至晚上8時地盤仍有很大的噪音發出(請見附件由居民拍攝的短片)，實在非常擾民。由於西九文化區地盤頗為鄰近九龍站民居，希望 貴局正視施工噪音嚴重影響附近居民作息和日常生活，敦促承辦商避免在平日早上9 時前及晚上7時後及公眾假期進行高噪音工序，盡量減低對居民的滋擾。”(Residents from The Arch claim that noise generated from WKCD
construction site starting from 7:00 am and until 8:00 pm caused disturbance to
nearby resident. Mr. Leung has reminded WKCDA and the Contractors avoid noisy
works before 9:00 am and after 7:00 pm on normal weekdays and on public
holidays to minimise nuisance to the residents.) The complainant has also
provided a video clip demonstrating the concerned noise during nighttime on 05 October 2022. Investigation at Zone 2A site
revealed that no site activity was conducted before 8:00 am and after 7:00 pm
(no nighttime work) on Zone 2A site in October 2022.
Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site (based on
the described noise source and video clip provided by the complainant).
Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to maintain close monitoring of
noise control on site, and strengthen the implementation of noise mitigation
measures to reduce impacts to the nearby residents. Investigation at Zone 2B
& 2C site revealed that some noise might be related to the construction
activities conducted at Zone 2B & 2C site. However, those construction
activities were conducted within statutory working hours and under the approved
construction noise permit (GW-RE0984-22) during restricted hours. Nonetheless,
the Contractor is recommended to maintain close monitoring of noise control on
site, and strengthen the implementation of noise mitigation measures to reduce
impacts to the nearby residents.
On 29 October 2022, the EPD
has received a complaint from Mr. Leung, assistant of Mr. HUNG, the district councilor of Yau Tsim Mong District Council (YTMDC), regarding noise
pollution at WKCD construction site, and referred to WKCDA on 31 October 2022. The complainant claimed that:“本辦事處持續收到九龍站居民投訴西九文化區地盤施工造成噪音和塵埃滋擾，近日再有投訴，指西九文化區地盤晚上10時多仍在施工，噪音影響居民正常作息 (請見附件短片) 。現特函促請 環保署派員巡查確保地盤施工符合環保條例規定，敦促承辦商加強地盤的隔音措施，避免在早上9 時前及晚上7時後進行高噪音工序，盡量減低對居民的滋擾。”(The complainant claimed that WKCD construction site is still under
construction after 10:00 pm, and the noise caused disturbance to nearby
residents. The complainant also reminded the Contractors to strengthen the
noise mitigation measures and avoid noisy works before 9:00 am and after 7:00
pm to minimise nuisance to the residents.) The complainant has also provided a
video clip showing the concerned noise source during nighttime
works. Investigation at Zone 2A site revealed that no site activity was
conducted before 8:00 am and after 7:00 pm (no nighttime
works) on WKCD Zone 2A site in October 2022. Thereby, the complaint may not be
attributable to the Zone 2A site. Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to
maintain close monitoring of noise control on site, and strengthen the
implementation of noise mitigation measures to reduce impacts to the nearby
residents. Investigation at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that the concerned
noise might be related to the construction activities carried out on 28 October
2022 at Zone 2B & 2C site. Therefore, the complaint might be attributable
to the Zone 2B & 2C site. However, those construction activities were
conducted under the approved construction noise permit (No. GW-RE0984-22)
during the restricted hours. Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to
maintain close monitoring of noise control on site, and strengthen the
implementation of noise mitigation measures to reduce impacts to the nearby
residents.
The cumulative statistics
on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions were
provided in Appendix G.
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 noise were
recorded in the reporting quarter.
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.
The EM&A programme as recommended in the EM&A Manual has
been undertaken since the construction works of Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C
commenced on 3
October 2020 and 30
September 2021 respectively.
Monitoring of air quality and noise with respect to the Project is
underway. In particular, the 1-hour TSP, 24-hour TSP and 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) in this reporting quarter. Four Action
Level exceedances (due to noise related environmental complaints) with no Limit
Level exceedance of Construction Noise was recorded in the reporting quarter.
Six 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.
