1.1
The cross-boundary helicopter traffic between Hong Kong and Macau
registered a significant growth rate in the past decade and the demand is
expected to grow in future.
1.2
At present, there is an elevated landing/take-off helipad located at the
rooftop of the Inner Pier of Macau Ferry Terminal (hereinafter referred to as
“MFT”) which can accommodate Class 1 performance helicopters up to the
12-passenger S76C+. Civil Aviation
Department (CAD) commissioned a consultancy study on Helicopter Traffic Demand
and Heliport Development in Hong Kong (hereinafter referred to as “Main Study”)
in 2001. The Main Study concluded
that expansion works for the existing heliport at MFT should be carried out as
soon as possible to meet the anticipated growth in cross-boundary helicopter
services.
1.3
In September 2004, Maunsell Environmental Management Consultants Ltd.
was commissioned by CAD to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Study pursuant to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) arising
from the Expansion of Heliport Facilities at MFT (the Project).
1.4
The Project is to expand the existing cross-boundary heliport at the
rooftop of the MFT by mainly constructing and operating a new landing/take-off
helipad and a taxiway to connect the existing and proposed new helipads. Upon completion of the Project, there
will be two helipads operating at the MFT. The location of the Project works is shown in Figure 1.1.
1.5
The Project is a Designated Project under Schedule 2, Part I (B2) of the
EIAO (Cap. 499) as it involves a new helipad within 300m of existing residential
development and requires an environmental permit under the EIAO for the
implementation of the Project. The
Project Profile (No. PP-215/2004) for the Project was submitted to
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on 14 May 2004. The EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-118/2004)
for an EIA study for the Project under section 5(1) of the EIAO was issued by
the EPD on 25 June 2004. It should
be noted that as the existing helipad has been in operation before the EIAO
enactment, it is an Exempted Designated Project and would not be governed under
the control of the EIAO.
1.6
The purpose of the EIA Study is to provide information on the nature and
extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of
the proposed Project and related activities taking place concurrently. The information will contribute to
decisions on:
·
overall acceptability of any adverse
environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the proposed
Project;
·
the conditions and requirements for the
detailed design, construction and operation of the proposed Project to mitigate
against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and
·
the acceptability of residual impacts
after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.
1.7
This EIA Report has also reported on alternative sites considered for
the expansion of heliport facilities and the selection of the proposed site.
1.8
The Assessment Area for the purpose of the EIA Study is presented below:
·
Air quality assessment – area within a distance of 500m from the Project
boundary.
·
Noise impact assessment – areas within 300m from the project boundary
and flight paths for the MFT Heliport.
The assessment area would be reduced accordingly if the first layer of
noise sensitive receivers, closer than 300m from the project boundary, provides
acoustic shielding to those receivers located further away.
·
Water quality impact assessment - the existing water system(s) in the
vicinity of the Project site affected by the construction and operation of the
Project.
1.9
The remainder of the report is organised as follows:
·
Section
2 – Description of Project
·
Section
3 – Noise Impact
·
Section
4 – Water Quality
·
Section
5 – Air Quality Impact
·
Section
6 – Waste Management Implications
·
Section
7 - Environmental Monitoring &
Audit
·
Section
8 – Overall Conclusions
·
Section
9 – Implementation Schedule of Recommended Mitigation Measures