Executive
summary
This Quarterly EM&A Report
presents the monitoring works conducted at Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C from 1 November
2022 to 31 January 2023.
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.
One Action Level exceedance (due to one noise
related environmental complaint) 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
Two 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 November 2022 to 31
January 2023. 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
● Site
Works before Handover
–
Site Clearance
Zone 2A-2
● Site
Works before Handover
–
Site Clearance
Zone 2A G/F
● Reinstatement
Works at Location A and B
–
Reinstatement Works at Location A and B
Zone 2A
A&A Works
●
WEK B1/F
–
Sand Removal
During the reporting period, construction works
at Zone 2B & 2C undertaken include:
KD05
(Section 1), KD06 (Section 2), KD07 (Section 3), KD08 (Section 4), KD09
(Section 5)
●
Bored Pile
Works
–
RCD Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation &
Concreting and Excavation
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
|
31
|
88
|
57
|
|
1 hour TSP
|
AM4A
|
32
|
86
|
58
|
|
1 hour TSP
|
AM5A
|
33
|
87
|
58
|
|
24 hour TSP
|
AM3A
|
32
|
83
|
55
|
|
24 hour TSP
|
AM4A
|
34
|
82
|
55
|
|
24 hour TSP
|
AM5A
|
33
|
77
|
56
|
|
Construction Noise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM2A
|
61
|
62
|
62
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM3A
|
62
|
63
|
62
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM4A
|
61
|
62
|
62
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM5A
|
64
|
65
|
64
|
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)
|
1 exceedance due to noise related
environmental complaint
|
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. One Action Level
exceedance (due to noise related environmental complaint) 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, 0 tonne and 0 tonne 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 19.36 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. 0 tonne of inert C&D materials were reused on site. 0.0
tonne of fill materials were imported for use at site and 1987.03 tonnes of
inert C&D materials was reused in other projects. 0 tonne 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, 53028.90 tonnes and 49904.12 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 95.50
tonnes of general refuse were disposed of at SENT landfill. 10.23 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. 11103.78 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 3858.97 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.
One Action Level exceedance due to noise
related environmental complaint with no Limit Level exceedance of Construction
Noise was recorded in the reporting quarter.
Two complaints
were received in the reporting quarter. One complaint in December and one
complaint in January. No notifications of summons and
successful prosecutions were received in the reporting quarter.
On 02
December 2022, the EPD has received a complaint from The Harbourside Owners
Committee, regarding noise pollution at WKCD construction site, and referred to
the WKCDA on 02 December 2022. The complainant claimed that:“有關西九文化區一帶地盤己持續進行多年，現時柯士甸道西附近的工地早上7 時便開始，工作至晚上11 時才停止，工程期間不斷的打鑿聲、大型泥頭車出入的聲響，在過去長達十年時間，一直影響我們君臨天下之業戶。我們曾就有關事宜聯絡地盤負責工程公司及西九文化區管理局，但獲回覆有關工程已獲相關政府部門批准於上午7 時至晚上11 時進行噪音工作，居民對此深感無奈。我們認為貴署，有責任跟進西九文化區一帶的噪音污染問題，於社區發展同時，平衡對鄰近民居的影響。我們有以下建議: 1.希望貴署就處理地盤工程申請時，慎重考慮對鄰近民居的影響，限制工程時間只可於上午9 時下午7 時進行。2.增加不定時巡邏西九文化區地盤位置，並以分貝儀等儀器監測音量。”(The
complainant claimed that construction site near Austin Road West starts at 0700
and until 2300. During construction period, constant chiselling sound and noise
from dump truck have affected the Harbourside’s residents for the past ten
years. The complainant has contacted the contractors and WKCDA and they have
replied that the relevant construction works between 0700 to 2300 have been
approved by relevant government department. The complainant recommended that:
1) the EPD shall carefully consider the impact on the nearby residents when
processing the applications of site works and limit the construction hours from
0900 to 1900; 2) Increase random inspection of the WKCD construction site, and
monitor the noise level with noise meter.) Investigation
at Zone 2A site revealed that no site activity was conducted before 0800 and
after 1900 (no nighttime work) on Zone 2A site few months ago. No major
physical works were carried out on Zone 2A site over few months. In addition,
noise mitigation measures have been properly maintained on site with no
exceedance of noise levels. 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 concerned 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-RE1229-22) 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 26
January 2023, the CEDD has received a complaint from ICC 1823, regarding dust
and water pollution, traffic control issue at WKCD construction site, and
referred to the WKCDA on the same day. The complainant claimed that: “投訴柯士甸道西西九文化區音樂中心地盤管理事宜，該地盤經常排放污水到地盤對出路面，泥頭車出入又令路面有很多碎石，地盤車輛長期停泊堵塞對出一段柯士甸道西，該處是凱旋門停車場出口唯一通道，地盤車輛停泊嚴重阻礙行車，要求部門跟進地盤管理事宜。” (The
complainant claimed that the Austin Road West WKCD Music Centre construction
site often discharge polluted water to the road surface. The dump trucks that
enter and leaving the construction site causing a lot of gravel on the road
surface. Construction vehicles parking along the Austin Road West opposite to
the site causing blockage to the entrance of The Arch car park. The
construction vehicles parking problem was seriously hindered traffic. The
complainant required relevant department to follow up on site management
matters.) Investigation at Zone 2A site revealed that the
concerned location was not within the site boundary of Zone 2A site. Thereby,
the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site. Nevertheless, the
Contractor is recommended to strengthen the implementation of dust and water
mitigation measures on site to reduce impacts to the nearby residents. Investigation
at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that the concerned water and
gravel might be related to the construction vehicles that are leaving the site
gate after wheel washing; and the traffic jam might possibly due to the site
traffic through site entrance of Zone 2B & 2C site. Thereby, the complaint
might be attributable to the Zone 2B & 2C site. However, prompt actions
have been taken by Contractor to enhance the preventive and mitigation measures.
In addition, dust monitoring is regularly conducted at the site boundary with
no exceedance. Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to maintain good
practice on site, and strengthen the implementation of road cleaning and
traffic control 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. One Action
Level exceedance (due to noise related environmental complaint) with no Limit
Level exceedance of Construction Noise was recorded in the reporting quarter.
Two 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.
