4. Noise

4.1. Introduction

4.1.1. This section presents an assessment of the potential noise impacts associated with construction and operation of the Project. Recommendations for mitigation measures were provided to minimize the identified noise impacts. In accordance with Clause 3.4.5.3 of the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-362/2023 for the Project, a noise impact assessment for construction and operation of the Project is deemed necessary. The methodology statement for noise impact assessment required has been agreed by EPD (see Appendix 4.1).

4.2. Environmental Legislations, Standards and Guidelines

4.2.1. The Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) (Cap. 400) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499) provide the statutory framework for noise control. Reference to the EIAO and the associated EIAO-TM has been made for the evaluation of noise impacts. Annexes 5 and 13 of the EIAO-TM set out the criteria and guidelines for evaluating noise impacts. Assessment procedures and standards are set out in the Technical Memoranda (TM) given below:

· TM on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM);

· TM on Noise from Construction Work other than Percussive Piling (GW-TM);

· TM on Noise from Construction Work in Designated Areas (DA-TM); and

· TM for the Assessment of Noise from Places Other Than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites (IND-TM);

· ETWB TCW 13/2003 – Guidelines and Procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment of Government Projects and Proposals;

· EIAO Guidance Note – Preparation of Construction Noise Impact Assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (GN9/2023);

· EIAO Guidance Note – Road Traffic Noise Impact Assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (GN12/2023);

· EIAO Guidance Note - Preparation of Fixed Noise Sources Impact Assessment Under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (GN 16/2023); and

· Practice Note for Professional Persons on Minimizing Noise from Construction Activities (ProPECC PN 1/24)

Construction Noise

Noise Standards for Non-restricted Hours

4.2.2. Table 1B in Annex 5 of the EIAO-TM provides the assessment criteria for daytime construction works (excluding percussive piling) between the hours of 0700 and 1900 on Monday to Saturday (not being a general holiday), i.e. non-restricted hours. The EIAO-TM sets out the construction noise assessment criteria, which are L_eq_(30mins) 75 dB(A) for domestic dwellings and L_eq_(30mins) 70 dB(A) for schools (or 65 dB(A) during examination periods). The recommended noise standards are summarised in Table 4.1 below.

Table 4.1 Noise Standards for Construction Works during Non-restricted Hours

Uses	Noise Standards, Leq (30 mins), dB(A) for 0700 to 1900 hours on any day not being a Sunday or general holiday
· All domestic premises, · Temporary housing accommodation, · Hostels, · Convalescent homes, and · Homes for the aged	75
· Places of public worship, · Courts of law, and · Hospitals and medical clinics	70
· Educational institutions (including kindergartens and nurseries)	70 (65 during examination period)

Note:

The above criteria apply to noise sensitive uses which rely on opened window for ventilation and are assessed at 1m from the external façade.

Noise Standards for Restricted Hours

4.2.3. During restricted works periods between 1900 and 0700 hours from Monday to Saturday and at any time on Sundays or public holidays, activities involving the use of Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) for the purpose of carrying out construction work is prohibited unless a Construction Noise Permit (CNP) has been obtained.

4.2.4. The GW-TM provides details of the procedures adopted by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) for assessing such applications. The granting of a CNP is subject to the conditions as stated in the CNP, which may be revoked at any time for failure to comply with the permit conditions. A CNP may be granted in cases where the noise can be contained within the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) at the Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs). ANLs are assigned depending on the Area Sensitivity Ratings (ASRs) of the assessment area. The ANLs for construction works in Designated Areas (DA) are more stringent than those given in the GW-TM.

4.2.5. Under the DA-TM, the use of five types of Specified Powered Mechanical Equipment (SPME) and three types of Prescribed Construction Works (PCW) within a designated area during restricted hours would require a valid CNP. The SPME includes a hand-held breaker, bulldozer, concrete lorry mixer, dump truck and hand-held vibratory poker. The PCW are:

· Erecting or dismantling of formwork or scaffolding;

· Loading, unloading or handling of rubble, wooden boards, steel bars, wood or scaffolding material; and

· Hammering.

4.2.6. In general, a CNP shall not generally be granted for the use of SPME during the restricted hours within a designated area unless the Corrected Noise Level (CNL) for all the SPME proposed to be used does not exceed the appropriate Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) and requirements stipulated in the GW-TM and DA-TM can be met.

4.2.7. As defined in the latest Noise Control Designated Area Plans, the Project Boundary is located outside the Designated Area whereas the village house area of Nam Wa Po falls within the Designated Area. The corresponding basic noise levels (BNLs) for evening and night-time periods are given Table 4.2 and the figures in brackets for designated areas would also apply to this Project.

Table 4.2 Construction Noise Criteria for Activities other than Percussive Piling for Restricted Working Hours

Time Period	Basic Noise Levels (BNLs), dB(A)
Time Period	NSR ‘A’	NSR ‘B’	NSR ‘C’
Evening (1900 to 2300 hrs) [a]	60 (45)	65 (50)	70 (55)
Night-time (2300 to 0700 hrs)	45 (30)	50 (35)	55 (40)

[a] Includes Sunday and Public Holidays during daytime and evening.

Figures in brackets are BNLs for Specified Powered Mechanical Equipment (SPME) construction work in designated areas.

4.2.8. As noise in restricted periods is covered by the NCO, it is not assessed further in the EIA under the EIAO and despite any reference made in the EIA Report on construction noise aspects during restricted periods, there is no guarantee that a CNP will be issued for the project construction. The Noise Control Authority will consider a well justified CNP application, once filed, for construction works within restricted hours as guided by the relevant TM issued under the Noise Control Ordinance. The Noise Control Authority will take into account contemporary conditions/situation of adjoining land uses and any previous complaints against construction activities at the site before making his decision in granting a CNP. Nothing in the EIA Report shall bind the Noise Control Authority in making his decision. If a CNP is to be issued, the Noise Control Authority shall include in it any condition seen fit. Failure to comply with any such conditions will lead to cancellation of the CNP and prosecution action under the NCO.

4.2.9. In case of any construction activities during restricted hours, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the NCO and the relevant TMs. The Contractor will be required to submit a CNP application to the Noise Control Authority and abide by any conditions stated in the CNP, should one be issued.

Operation Road Traffic Noise

4.2.10. The EIAO-TM provides guidance on the acceptable road traffic noise levels at uses which rely on the opened windows for ventilation. The relevant criteria are shown in Table 4.3.

Table 4.3 Road Traffic Noise Criteria

Common Uses	Road Traffic Noise, L10(1 hour), dB(A)
All domestic premises	70
Temporary housing accommodation
Hostels
Convalescent homes
Homes for the aged
Educational institutions (including kindergartens and nurseries)	65
Places of public worship
Courts of law
Hospitals and medical clinics	55

Note: The above criteria apply to noise sensitive uses which rely on opened window for ventilation and are assessed at 1m from the external facades.

4.2.11. The induced road traffic noise impact shall be considered significant and require mitigation measures if the induced road traffic noise level with the Project is greater than that without the Project at the design year by 1.0 dB(A) or more.

Operation Fixed Noise Sources

4.2.12. The NCO and IND-TM control noise from fixed noise sources such as ventilation exhaust duct or conduit for extracting indoor air for discharge at louver and cooling towers and also the fixed noise sources from the cremation system. For the assessment of impacts from these fixed noise sources, the ASR of the NSRs must be determined in accordance with the IND-TM, and then based on the ASR, the appropriate Acceptable Noise Levels (ANL) can be determined.

4.2.13. The ASR is indicative only and the noise from the fixed sources is controlled under Section 13 of the NCO. The prevailing legislation, contemporary conditions and adjoining land use should be considered in determining noise impact.

4.2.14. Notwithstanding the above, more stringent criteria for assessing fixed plant are recommended in the EIAO-TM for planning purposes. The recommended assessment criteria is below whichever the lower:

· 5dB(A) below the appropriate ANL set out in the IND-TM (i.e. ANL -5dB(A)), or

· The prevailing background noise level

4.2.15. The ANL is shown in Table 4.4.

Table 4.4 Acceptable Noise Level at Noise Sensitive Receivers for Fixed Noise Sources

Time Period	NCO Criteria (1)			EIAO-TM (1)
Time Period	ASR ‘A’	ASR ‘B’	ASR ‘C’	ASR ‘A’	ASR ‘B’	ASR ‘C’
Daytime and Evening (0700-2300 hrs)	60	65	70	55	60	65
Night-time (2300-0700 hrs)	50	55	60	45	50	55

[1] ASR in this context refers to Area Sensitivity Rating.

4.3. Description of the Environment

4.3.1. The Project Site is located within the WHS Cemetery and surrounded by a mix of burial ground and vegetated slopes. It is not covered by any statutory Outline Zoning Plan.

4.4. Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers

4.4.1. There are no existing, committed or planned Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) within the 300 m assessment area of the Project Boundary. The nearest residential NSRs, village houses in Nam Wa Po (N01), are located about 370m from the Project Boundary as shown in Figure 4.1.

4.4.2. In order to determine the fixed plant noise criteria, a baseline noise measurement was conducted in March 2024 to obtain the prevailing noise environment of the sensitive receiver. The dominant noise of the Project area is mainly from insect. The measured prevailing noise levels are detailed in Table 4.5 below with the measurement locations illustrated in Figure 4.1. Detailed information including the photos, field observation, measurement equipment and weather during the measurement is shown in Appendix 4.2.

Table 4.5 Prevailing Noise Level

Noise Measurement Point	Measurement Location	Prevailing Noise Level, L₉₀, dB(A)
Noise Measurement Point	Measurement Location	Day and Evening (0700 – 2300)	Night (2300 – 0700)
BNM1	Village House in Nam Wa Po	53	52
Note: Free-field measurement was made at the measurement location. A correction of +3 dB(A) was applied in the results.

4.4.3. The Area Sensitivity Rating of a NSR is determined by the type of area where the NSR is located and the presence of any influencing factors (IFs) such as major roads and industrial areas. The identified NSR is located in an area contains village type development. Therefore, the type of area where the NSR located is classified as “Rural area, including country parks or village type developments”. According to the Annual Traffic Census 2022, the annual average daily traffic (AADT) of Fanling Highway was in excess of 30,000 which is considered as an IF within the 300m assessment area, however, the NSR would not be affected by Fanling Highway based on site observation. The Area Sensitivity Ratings for the representative NSRs are determined and summarised in Table 4.6.

Table 4.6 Area Sensitivity Rating for Representative Noise Sensitive Receivers

NSR ID	Description	Type of Area	Influencing Factor	Area Sensitivity Rating
N01	Village House, Nam Wa Po	Rural Area	Not affected	A

4.4.4. Considering the ANLs of the representative NSR and the background noise measurement results presented in Table 4.5, the fixed plant noise criteria adopted for the assessment are presented in Table 4.7 below.

Table 4.7 Fixed Plant Noise Criteria of Representative NSR

NSR ID	ANL - 5, dB(A)		Background Noise Measurement Location	Prevailing Noise Level, L_{90 (1-hr)}, dB(A)		Fixed Plant Noise Criteria, dB(A)
NSR ID	Day / Evening	Night	Background Noise Measurement Location	Day / Evening	Night	Day / Evening	Night
N01	55	45	BNM1	53	52	53	45

4.5. Construction Phase Impact Assessment

Construction Noise Sources

4.5.1. The potential source of noise impact during the construction phase would be the use of Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) for various construction activities. Consideration of quiet construction method and construction equipment have been explored and recommended in this report.

4.5.2. The key PMEs to be used for the construction works activities includes breaker, hand-held breakers, tracked excavators, air compressors, generators, drill rigs, concrete lorries, concrete pump, vibratory pokers, bar bender and cutter, road roller and dump trucks etc.

4.5.3. No construction works will be carried out during restricted hours and no percussive piling work is expected. Should restricted hours works be required, the contractor shall apply for a Construction Noise Permit (CNP) and ensure full compliance with the NCO.

Evaluation of Impact

4.5.4. The proposed workfronts will be maintained at a separation distance of more than 370m from the nearest village houses near Nam Wa Po. The construction of crematorium consist of site clearance and formation works, piling and substructure, and finally the superstructure works. Each construction site activities would be constructed in sequence and temporary in nature such that the construction noise arising from the use of PME would be in short-term only. On top of that, it is anticipated that less than 20 number of construction plant would be in operation during each construction activity due to the limited space for construction works. Furthermore, the Project Boundary is shielded by the surrounding terrain. Hence, the construction noise impact due to the construction of crematorium would be minimal.

Mitigation Measures

4.5.5. Standard noise control measures such as adoption of quieter construction method, use of quieter PMEs with lower sound power level (SWL), use of movable noise barriers and noise enclosure to screen noise from PMEs, and implementation of good site practices to limit noise emissions at source would be implemented through standard contract document clauses, which include the “Recommended Pollution Control Clauses for Construction Contracts”, to ensure the construction noise impact would be minimised during the construction phase.

4.5.6. It is recommended that noisy equipment shall be replaced by quieter alternatives where possible. Silenced diesel and gasoline generators and power units, as well as silenced and super-silenced air compressors can be readily obtained. Future Contractor will be required to make reference to the relevant Technical Circulars (e.g. ETWB TCW 13/2003) and ProPECC Note (e.g. PN1/24), to plan and implement the project to avoid causing adverse construction noise impact to the nearby NSRs. The noise control requirements stipulated in the "Recommended Pollution Control Clauses for Construction Contracts " of the EPD shall also be incorporated into the construction works contract(s) for the Contractor to follow and implement relevant measures in minimising the construction noise impact.

4.5.7. Quieter construction methods (e.g., silent piling by press-in method and prefabrication structure to replace in-situ construction) shall be prioritized and adopted as far as practicable for mitigating the construction noise impact. Review on the application of typical quieter construction methods have been conducted and summarized in Table 4.8 below. With due consideration of the EPD’s list of good practices, the followings are examples of quieter construction methods / equipment that are found applicable to this Project.

· Quieter type saw and hydraulic crusher can be adopted for site clearance and site formation works;

· Press-in piling method for the piling works; and

· Use of self-compacting concrete or rubber head poker vibrator instead of conventional vibratory poker.

Table 4.8 Typical Quieter Construction Methods/ Equipment

Construction Activities	Conventional Practices	Alternative Quieter Construction Method/ Equipment	Applicable to the Project (Y/N)
Site clearance and site formation works	Drill and break method using excavator-mounter breaker	Use of hydraulic splitter, hydraulic crusher/ quieter type saw (e.g. diamond wire saw, noise reducing diamond blade saw)	Y
Piling and substructure works including road works	Percussive piling for piling works; Vibratory poker for road works	Use of silent piling such as hydraulic press-in method; Self-compacting concrete or rubber head poker vibrator	Y
Superstructure works	Vibratory poker	Self-compacting concrete or rubber head poker vibrator	Y

4.5.8. More examples of quieter construction methods/equipment can be referenced to EPD’s website (https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/misc/construction_noise/contents/index.php/en/home2/quieter-construction-methods.html).

4.5.9. The use of movable noise barriers is an effective means to mitigate the noise impact arising from the construction works. The use of noise barrier for certain PME could generally provide a 5 dB(A) reduction for movable PME and 10 dB(A) for stationary PME. The noise barriers shall have a minimum surface density of 10 kg/m² and fitted with appropriate absorptive material to minimize multiple reflections of noise due to confined space of the surroundings and the barriers. The contractor shall be responsible for the design and actual position of the movable noise barriers with due consideration given to the position and size of the PME, and the requirement of intercepting the line of sight from the NSRs to the PME, as well as ensuring that the barriers have no gaps and openings.

4.5.10. Noise enclosure with a sufficient surface density of no less than 10 kg/m² can be used to surround certain PMEs. The internal wall of the enclosure should be lined with 50 mm of sound-absorbent material, or with 25 mm of similar material if mounted on battens. Without direct view of the noisy part of the enclosed PME from NSRs, this design can achieve 10 dB(A) and 15 dB(A) reduction for stationary and static PMEs respectively.

4.5.11. Despite implementing mitigation measures for PMEs (i.e. adoption of quieter PMEs, erection of movable noise barriers and use of noise enclosure), the contractor shall consider quieter construction methods or technologies to reduce the noise at its source if they are technically feasible and applicable for the proposed construction works. Reference can be made to EPD’s website for some example of quieter construction methods adopted in different construction sites in Hong Kong (https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/misc/construction_noise/contents/index.php/en/home2/quieter-construction-methods.html).

4.5.12. Good site practice and noise management can significantly reduce the impact of construction activities on nearby NSRs. The noise benefits of these practices can vary according to specific site conditions and operations. The following site practices should be followed during the construction of the Project:

· Only well-maintained plant should be operated on-site and plant should be serviced regularly during the construction works;

· Machines and plant that may be in intermittent use should be shut down between work periods or throttled down to a minimum;

· Plant known to emit noise strongly in one direction should, where possible, be orientated to direct noise away from the nearby NSRs;

· Mobile plant should be sited as far away from NSRs as possible;

· Silencers or mufflers on construction equipment should be utilised where appropriate and properly maintained during the construction period;

· Material stockpiles and other structures should be effectively utilised, where practicable, to screen noise from on-site construction activities; and

· The contractor should devise, arrange methods of working and carry out the works in such manner as to minimise noise impacts on the surrounding environment, and should provide experienced personnel with suitable training to ensure that all these measures are implemented properly.

4.5.13. With the adoption of the recommended mitigation measures, no adverse construction noise impact is anticipated.

4.5.14. Nevertheless, a Construction Noise Management Plan (CNMP) shall be prepared and checked by Certified Noise Modelling Professional as recognized by the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals Limited or equivalent in accordance with EIAO GN 9/2023 and ProPECC PN1/24 and submitted to EPD for approval during the pre-tender stage, if any, and before the commencement of construction of the Project. The CNMP include a quantitative construction noise impact assessment, shall be prepared with reference to Annexes 5 and 13 of the EIAO-TM as well as this EIA. The CNMP shall be checked independently and endorsed by the Project Engineer and ArchSD to ensure that the proposals are practicable and could be effectively implemented on site before submission of the CNMP to EPD. Details on the use of plants and equipment, their on-time percentages and the adoption of noise mitigation measures for the construction plant equipment and the induced traffic during construction phase shall be clearly provided in the CNMP, demonstrating that the construction works to be undertaken will comply with all prevailing environmental standards and requirements. All noise mitigation measures implemented shall be properly maintained during construction of the Project.

4.6. Operation Phase Impact Assessment

Fixed Plant Noise Sources

4.6.1. During the operation phase, the fixed plants installed for mechanical and electrical (M&E) services of transfer room and plant rooms will be the major noise sources. These include ventilation fans and louvres etc. located on rooftops and facades of the building blocks.

4.6.2. As the M&E equipment detail is subject to later stage detailed design, the maximum permissible Sound Power Level (SWL) for the fixed plant will be determined to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and guidelines. As a conservative approach, the maximum permissible SWL for fixed plant was estimated with the nearest distances of the proposed crematorium building to the representative NSR.

4.6.3. It is assumed that all fixed plant noise sources would be operated at the same time with no noise barrier or acoustic screening correction for a conservative assessment of the worst-case scenario.

4.6.4. The fixed noise sources associated with the Project should be free of the characteristics of tonality, impulsiveness and intermittency. Nonetheless, a +3 dB(A) tonality correction was applied in the assessment as a conservative approach. If the above characteristics are identified during detailed design stage, the maximum permissible SWL should be reduced in accordance with the applicable correction factors as prescribed in the IND-TM.

4.6.5. The assessment of the fixed noise sources was undertaken in accordance with the following standard acoustic principle:

SPL = Max SWL – DC + FC + BC + TC Equation (1)

Where SPL =	Sound Pressure Level, dB(A)
Max SWL =	Maximum Sound Power Level, dB(A)
DC =	Distance attentuation correction, 20 log₁₀D_i + 8 in dB(A)
D_i=	Distance in m between the source and the receiver
FC =	Façade correction of 3 dB(A)
BC =	Barrier correction (assumed 0 dB(A))
TC =	Tonality Correction of 3 dB(A)

4.6.6. A long separation distance with the proposed WHS Crematorium and the nearest sensitive receiver, Nam Wa Po with around 430m, the distance attenuation would be 61 dB(A).

4.6.7. With the evaluation of Equation (1) in Section 4.6.5, the maximum permissible SWL for the proposed crematorium is 108 dB(A) and 100 dB(A) during daytime/ evening time and nighttime respectively. It is expected that by ensuring the required maximum SWL is maintained, no exceedance of the fixed noise level at NSR is anticipated.

Mitigation Measures

4.6.8. In order to minimise the fixed plant noise impact, the following noise mitigation design of the plant rooms should be considered:

· Mechanical plants should be placed and enclosed inside a building structure as far as practicable;

· Proper selection of quieter plant to reduce noise impact at NSRs;

· Installation of silencer/ acoustic enclosure/ acoustic louver for the exhaust of ventilation system;

· Locate fixed plant, louvres or openings away from NSRs;

· Reducing number of equipment operating in night-time period; and

· Develop and implement a regularly scheduled plant maintenance programme so that equipment is properly operated and service in order to maintain controlled level of noise. The programme should be implemented by properly trained personnel.

4.6.9. With the provision of the noise control measures, it is anticipated that operational noise impact upon the nearby NSR will comply with the noise criteria. Hence, adverse fixed noise impact is not envisaged during operation of the proposed WHS Crematorium.

4.6.10. Nevertheless, the actual noise impact from the fixed noise sources shall be subject to the selected model, brand of the equipment, positioning and location of outdoor plants and implementation of noise control measures. The final design will be carried out by the future contractor in the later stage. The contractor shall ensure the compliance of the EIAO criteria stated in Section 4.2.13.

4.6.11. A Fixed Noise Sources Management Plan (FNMP) shall be prepared and checked by Certified Noise Modelling Professional as recognised by the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals Limited or equivalent in accordance with EIAO GN 16/2023 submitted to EPD for approval during the pre-tender stage, if any, and before the commencement of project implementation. The FNMP shall be prepared with reference to Annexes 5 and 13 of the EIAO-TM as well as this report. The FNMP shall be checked independently and endorsed by the Project Engineer and ArchSD to ensure that the proposals are practicable and could be effectively implemented before submission of the FNMP to EPD. Details on the inventory of noise sources, a layout plan indicating the locations of all existing, committed or planned fixed noise sources and the associated noise mitigation measures shall be clearly provided in the FNMP, demonstrating that the fixed plant noise sources will comply with all prevailing environmental standards and requirements. All noise mitigation measures implemented shall be properly maintained during operation of the Project. A fixed noise sources commissioning test will be required to ensure the proposed mitigation measures at the identified fixed plant noise sources are adequate.

Induced Road Traffic Noise

4.6.12. During the operation phase, additional traffic would be expected to use the adjacent access roads including Ming Yin Road and/ or Kiu Tau Road. The traffic generated by the proposed crematorium is mainly due to the number of staff working at the proposed crematorium, the number of visitors and the hearses trips. The traffic demand will not have significant variations during normal weekday or festive days. The induced amount of traffic could increase the road traffic noise impacts on the neighbouring sensitive receivers.

4.6.13. In terms of induced traffic, limited traffic volumes are expected during normal operation of the crematorium and no significant changes in traffic volumes on the surrounding roads would be expected. Based on the Traffic Impact Assessment conducted under the same Study, the traffic generation and attraction due to the proposed crematorium is 23 veh/hr and 17 veh/hr during AM peak and PM peak respectively. Given there are several existing and planned columbaria in the vicinity of the crematorium, traffic flow during the festive periods (i.e. Ching Ming and Chung Yeung) would be higher than normal days. Moreover, the peak hour of the traffic flow at Junction of Kiu Tau Road/ Ming Yin Road/ Wo Hop Shek Road would be at 1000 – 1100 and 1700 – 1800 during the normal weekday and festive day respectively. The induced traffic noise impact at both normal weekday and festive day at three different years, Year 2030, Year 2038 and Year 2045 are evaluated in tables below. The traffic data endorsement from Transport Department is obtained and shown in Appendix 3.1.

Table 4.9 Induced Traffic Flow at Normal Weekday

	Kiu Tau Road			Ming Yin Road
	Year 2030	Year 2038	Year 2045	Year 2030	Year 2038	Year 2045
Traffic generation due to proposed crematorium (veh/hr)	23			23
Peak Traffic Flow (1000 – 1100)	358	374	389	621	697	821
Induced Traffic Flow (%)	6.9%	6.6%	6.3%	3.8%	3.4%	2.9%

Table 4.10 Induced Traffic Flow at Festive Day

	Kiu Tau Road			Ming Yin Road
	Year 2030	Year 2038	Year 2045	Year 2030	Year 2038	Year 2045
Traffic generation due to proposed crematorium (veh/hr)	17			17
Peak Traffic Flow (1700 – 1800)	446	463	697	559	594	751
Induced Traffic Flow (%)	4.0%	3.8%	2.5%	3.1%	2.9%	2.3%

4.6.14. The small percentage increase (less than 6.9%) in flows on the Kiu Tau Road and Ming Yin Road during both normal day and festive day, would not be expected to significantly increase the noise levels (i.e. less than 1.0dB(A)) at surrounding sensitive receivers.

4.7. Cumulative Impact s

4.7.1. As discussed in Section 2.10, the concurrent projects have been identified, with their locations shown in Figure 2.4. The projects include:

- Provision of Columbarium at Wo Hop Shek – Phase 2,

- Provision of Columbarium at Wo Hop Shek – Phase 3,

- Provision of Columbarium at Wo Hop Shek – Phase 4,

- Road Improvement Works at Wo Hop Shek Cemetery for Phases 2 and 3 Columbarium Development, and

- Utilities Improvement Works connecting to Kiu Tau Road

4.7.2. Among the above projects, Provision of Columbarium at WHS Phase 3 is located more than 600m away from the proposed WSH Crematorium, and significant cumulative construction noise impact with the latter is therefore not anticipated.

4.7.3. Due to the short distances, Provision of Columbarium at the WHS - Phases 2 and Road Improvement Works at Wo Hop Shek Cemetery for Phases 2 and 3 Columbarium Development together with the Utilities Improvement Works connecting to Kiu Tau Road have the potential to cause cumulative construction noise impact, as their planned construction periods overlap with that of this Project.

4.7.4. Similar to the proposed WHS Crematorium development, for each of the concerned concurrent projects, proper mitigation measures including use of quiet plant and movable noise barrier will be implemented to ensure that their construction activities would not cause adverse construction noise impacts. Therefore, adverse cumulative construction noise impact arising from construction activities of the concurrent projects of concern are not anticipated.

4.7.5. During the operation phase, the traffic forecast has also been taken into account the induced traffic from these concurrent projects and evaluated in Section 4.6.12 to Section 4.6.14.

4.8. Evaluation of Residual Impacts

Construction Phase

4.8.1. With the implementation of the recommended noise mitigation measures, construction noise levels at the representative NSR would comply with EIAO-TM daytime construction noise criteria. No residual construction noise impact is anticipated.

Operation Phase

4.8.2. No residual noise impact is anticipated during the operation phase of the Project with the implementation of proper design of fixed plant noise sources to meet the maximum permissible SWL for the proposed crematorium.

4.9. Environmental Monitoring and Audit

4.9.1. Based on the nearest village houses near Nam Wa Po is more than 370m from the proposed construction works, no adverse construction noise impact is anticipated. A CNMP will be prepared and submitted during pre-tender stage, if any, and before the commencement of construction of the Project to further confirm the number and type of PME used with recommended mitigation measure to ensure no adverse construction noise impact during construction phase. No environmental monitoring is recommended.

4.9.2. Regular environmental site inspections and audits at least once per week should be conducted during the entire construction phase of the Project to ensure the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented. The audit programme serves to verify and keep track of the implementation status of the recommended mitigation measures and the effectiveness of these mitigation measures.

4.10. Conclusions

Construction Phase

4.10.1. The use of PME during the construction phase of the Project is not expected to cause any adverse construction noise impact on the surrounding. Good site practice including the use of quiet PME and movable noise barrier during construction phase of the Project is recommended. No adverse construction noise impact on the representative NSR is anticipated.

Operation Phase

4.10.2. No adverse fixed plant noise is anticipated with the implementation of proper design of fixed plant noise sources. No adverse road traffic noise impact is anticipated with the induced traffic flow due to the proposed crematorium. Hence, noise impact during operation of the proposed WHS Crematorium is not anticipated.

4.10.3.

Figure

Appendix 4.1

Appendix 4.2

4.7. Cumulative Impacts

4.8. Evaluation of Residual Impacts

Construction Phase

Operation Phase

4.9. Environmental Monitoring and Audit

Construction Phase

Operation Phase

4.7. Cumulative Impact s