Environmental Performance Report 2005
Environmental Protection Department
| Contents
| Previous | Next
| EPD Homepage |
| Foreword | 1 Environmental
Policy | 2 Organisation, Programmes and Responsibilities
| 3 EPD Offices and Facilities | 4
Our Influence and Impact on the Environment | 5
Our Contribution to the Environment | 6 Our
Own Operations | 7 Progress on Year 2004 Targets
| 8 Targets for 2005 | 9
Verification Statement | 10 Feedback Form
|
| 5.1 Our Contribution to Strategic Decision-Making | 5.2 Planning for a Better Environment | 5.3 Effective Enforcement and Emergency Response | 5.4 Building Partnerships and Customer Service | 5.5 Environmental Awareness and Education | 5.6 Professional Development and Research |
5
Our Contribution to the Environment
5.2 Planning for a Better Environment
| Our Responsibilities | Noise Exposure | Achievements in 2004 | We aim to prevent, minimise and resolve environmental noise problems through intervention in the planning process, implementation of noise abatement measures and enforcement of the Noise Control Ordinance. Noise has an enormous social impact in Hong Kong. More than one million people are affected by excessive traffic noise alone. Thousands of others are affected by construction, rail, commercial and other noise sources. The EPD is working hard to minimise the impacts on these receivers. Achievements
in 2004 Traffic noise is addressed in two ways: by preventing noise from new roads through input in the planning process, and by reducing noise from existing roads.
Figure 1 - Screening Structure to Reduce Traffic Noise (See Data) Figure 2 - Accumulated Number of Dwellings Insulated in 2004 (See Data)
Table 1 - Retrofitting Noise Barriers - Tentative Implementation Programme An amendment to the Noise Control Ordinance came into effect on 8 October 2004, making corporate directors liable for repeated noise offences by their companies. This followed publication of two Codes of Practice describing good management practices for avoiding noise violations. Directors receive a warning letter after a first offence. If another offence occurs within two years, they can be prosecuted. Defendants can use a due diligence defence if they have put an environmental management system in place and are operating it effectively. Information seminars on the matter were held in October and attended by more than 500 people. Photo of A seminar addresses queries and misunderstanding on directors' liability under the Noise Control Ordinance. Photo of Codes of Practice help company directors understand their liability regarding compliance with the Noise Control Ordinance.
3-D tool: The EPD aims to enhance people's understanding of noise and the impacts of proposed new projects and mitigation measures. A significant achievement in 2004 was the introduction of a three-dimensional visualisation tool. This easy-to-understand visual guide lets people see the noise impacts of proposed projects from different angles, and enables more informed public input during consultation. Two hypothetical examples were posted on the EPD website to demonstrate how the tool works. Photo of Digital 3-D image shows the visual scene of traffic noise levels in a city. Photo of A road erected with noise barriers in 3-D display. Education package: Greater understanding of environmental noise is also being promoted through an interactive education package. A website, with sections targeted at the general public and at young people, was launched in December 2003. The second part of the package, a CD-ROM, was distributed to schools, libraries and other users in 2004. Noise study: A study on noise in Hong Kong, initiated in late 2003, proceeded in 2004 and will provide detailed information on the many sources of noise and the effects on receivers. It will be completed in 2005 and the results will be used to help formulate new policies and measures to control noise. Staff exchange: A six-month staff exchange with the Highways Department was completed in 2004, enabling a better understanding of the priorities and constraints each department faces. Active Participation in the Planning Process Since 1986, over 140 000 flats have been protected from excess noise through EPD intervention in the planning process. The EPD provides professional advice to minimise noise through land use and planning activities. In 2004 we provided input on 1 418 advice/cases. See breakdown at Figure 3. Input is also provided on strategic-level noise improvement measures, as identified in the Third Comprehensive Transport Study published in 1999, and progress can be viewed at Table 2. Figure 3 - Breakdown of 1 418 Noise Planning Advice/Cases in 2004 (See Data) Table
2 - Report and Progress on Various Improvement Measures Identified
in CTS-3
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