Construction Phase
11.1
The potential dust impacts
arising from the demolition and construction of the Project were assessed. Results showed that the predicted air quality
at the ASRs would comply with and far below the respective criteria with the
implementation of dust suppression measures as stipulated in the Air Pollution
Control (Construction Dust) Regulation.
Air monitoring and audit programme is proposed to ensure proper
implementation of mitigation measures.
Operation Phase
11.2
The potential impacts arising
from chimney emissions from operation of the new cremators were assessed. No exceedance of respective air quality
criteria at the identified ASRs is predicted.
The air quality impact assessment results indicate that no adverse air
quality impact would be expected during operation of the new cremators.
11.3 With the proper operation and maintenance of the new crematorium and APC equipment of the cremators, the residual air quality impact during the operation of the new crematorium is predicted to be insignificant.
Construction Phase
11.4
With
effective implementation of the mitigation measures, it is anticipated that the
impacts on the environment and the potential impacts on the capacity of waste collection,
transfer and disposal facilities will be insignificant. Extra demand for public
fill areas and landfills would be minimal.
11.5
The contaminated materials are expected to be
concentrated around cremators, flues and chimney. After decommissioning and
prior to demolition of the existing crematorium, further contamination
investigation shall be carried out to confirm the quality and quantity of ash
waste and building structures requiring treatment and disposal. The contaminated ash waste is
recommended to be removed prior to any asbestos containing material in building
structures.
Operation Phase
11.6
The quantity of waste requiring disposal during the operation of the new
crematorium will be minimal.
11.7
With effective implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, it
is anticipated that the associated waste management implications from the
operation of the new crematorium on the environment and the potential impacts
on the capacity of waste collection, transfer and disposal facilities will be
insignificant.
Construction Phase
11.8
Site
investigation was undertaken for the fuel tank system and aerial deposition from stack emission for
land contamination assessment. The result indicated that one soil sample (BH-1,
1.5 –
11.9
Cement
solidification/stabilization (CS/S) treatment is proposed for the remediation
of ~37m3 soils contaminated with heavy metals in this Study. The
treated soils have to meet both the universal treatment standards in the TCLP
test and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test of not less than 1 MPa
before backfilling on site.
11.10
Further
site investigation in areas that are currently in use and cannot be accessed is
required. These areas include the trial
pit for soil sampling underneath the pipeline and two cremation rooms. It is
recommended that further site investigation shall be undertaken after
decommissioning and prior to the demolition of the existing crematorium.
11.11
Findings
of further site investigation will be presented in supplementary CAR and
supplementary RAP shall be prepared, if required, for EPD endorsement prior to
the commencement of any earthworks.
11.12
No
significant residual land contamination impacts are predicted from the
demolition of the existing crematorium and construction of the new crematorium
provided that the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented.
Operation Phase
11.13
As
Towngas will be used as burning fuel instead of diesel in the new crematorium, possible
leakage or spillage from the underground fuel tank and the pipeline system is
eliminated. With the new design of cremators which is capable of meeting the
newly revised requirements described in “A Guidance Note on the Best
Practicable Means for Incinerators (Crematoria)” BPM12/2(06), it is anticipated
that aerial deposition would not give rise to significant land contamination.
Construction Phase
11.14 Visual impact on VSRs R1, R2, GIC1 and OU1 would be substantial due to the close distance to the Project. However, such visual impact is temporary and can be minimised by decorative hoarding.
11.15
With implementation of
mitigation measures during construction, there will still be some moderate
adverse visual impact on the R1, R2, GIC1 and OU1 adjacent or close to the
Project. Residual impacts on the rest of VSRs will be slight to insubstantial
significance as further away from the Project areas.
Operation Phase
11.16
Design approach and consideration will position cremator
plant room and operation & maintenance supporting facilities on basement
level to reduce building massing and height; a step down terrace elevation to
match with steep terrain and create a smooth transition to the existing
11.17
The existing natural topography
and dense vegetation of woodland have provided natural screening and blockage
for most of the proposed above-ground structure except north-east face where
the two chimney stacks will be located. Day 1 after the
implementation of operation stage mitigation measures, there would still be moderate
adverse visual impact on R1, R2 GIC1 and OU1; the rest of VSRs are slight and
insubstantial. Trees will be planted within the site and works areas to compensate
for the loss of the existing trees. Within 10 years all the proposed treatment
will be in mature stage of the implementation of visual mitigation measures,
therefore all the adverse impacts will be insubstantial. The architectural appearance of proposed
crematorium will be aesthetically design to be compatible with adjacent
landscape setting to enhance the overall outlook to minimise visual impact. Roof greening will be adopted for the provision of landscape amenity
and character of remembrance. Landscape roof garden will enhance and embrace the amenity space with
the existing
Construction Phase
11.18
This assessment has predicted the construction noise
impacts of the Project during normal daytime working. The predicted unmitigated
noise levels at representative NSRs will range from 60 to 79 dB(A)
for Phase 1 and 61 to 81 dB(A) for Phase 2. With
the use of quiet PME for excavator/loader, soil nailing drilling
machine, rock dowel drilling machine, bulldozer, dump truck and crawler mounted rock drill, the noise levels at all
representative NSRs would comply with the construction noise limit of 75 dB(A).
Operation Phase
11.19
The
noise impact associated with the operation of the Project was assessed. For newly proposed equipment under Phase 1 and Phase 2, while the
predicted noise levels at SQ1 and SQ2 would exceed the daytime/evening planning
noise criteria by 3 dB(A), the predicted noise levels at all representative
NSRs would exceed the night-time planning noise criteria by 1 to 6 dB(A).
11.20
To mitigate the noise impact at
the affected NSRs, 2.5m high noise barriers have been proposed to surround the
radiators. Besides, the noise barrier would be lined with sound absorbing
material at the surface of the barrier facing the noise source to further
enhance the noise reduction effectiveness. With such noise barriers in place,
the predicted noise levels at all representative NSRs would comply with both the
daytime and night-time planning noise criteria. No residual operation noise
impact arising from the Project is anticipated.
11.21
For the concurrent operation of
existing fixed plant and new fixed plant during T&C stage of Phase 1, the
predicted cumulative noise levels at all representative NSRs would comply with
the relevant daytime/evening ANL of 65 dB(A) with the 2.5m high noise barriers
for the radiators in place.
Construction
Phase
11.22
Water
quality impacts from the land-based construction and demolition works can be
controlled to acceptable levels by implementing the recommended mitigation
measures. No unacceptable water quality
impacts will be expected from the land-based construction and demolition
activities.
Operational
Phase
11.23
No effluent will be discharged
from the Air Pollution Control equipment in the new crematorium as “dry” process
will be adopted. Sewage generated by visitors and workers, as well as
wastewater from cleaning activities will be connected to the sewerage system. Sewerage
impact assessment has been conducted for the Project. Assessment results
indicated that the additional wastewater / sewage generated from the Project
would not cause any adverse impacts to the existing sewerage systems. Hence,
adverse water quality impact is not expected.
11.24
This
assessment has considered the environmental impacts from the demolition of the
existing crematorium as well as the construction and operation of the new
crematorium.
11.25
It
has been assessed that the environmental impacts arising from the Project are
either considered minimal or can be mitigated to an extent where the impacts on
the sensitive receivers are acceptable.
11.26
No
significant residual impacts are anticipated, provided that the recommended
mitigation measures are properly implemented.
11.27
An
EM&A programme is therefore recommended to ensure that the mitigation
measures have been properly implemented and environmental quality has not been
seriously affected throughout the Project.