TABLE OF
CONTENTS
17.2 Environmental
Benefits of the Project
17.3 Environmentally
Friendly Design
17.4 Key
Environmental Problem Avoided and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Protected
17.5 Environmental
Protection Measures Recommended
17.6 Population
and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Protected
List of tables
· At present, there are about 22 ha of brownfields clustered in the Project Site, including logistics and freight operation, open storage, vehicle-related operation and warehouse / workshop, etc., which produce adverse environmental, traffic and visual impacts to the neighbourhood. With the proposed developments and infrastructures, land use efficiency would be enhanced and the overall environment in the area can be significantly improved.
·
The Project will improve the existing sewerage infrastructure with new sewerage networks and a new sewage pumping
station (SPS) which
would benefit both the population of the nearby existing residential development / villages and the proposed developments under the Project. Water quality would be improved by the introduction
of new sewerage network to the currently unsewered areas.
·
Existing villages and residential
developments can be benefited from the
newly planned GIC facilities, open space and improved rail-and-road transport
connectivity, and other infrastructure services brought by the Project. These
enhancements provide collective benefit and contribute to improve the quality
of life of the existing villages and residential
developments in the vicinity of the Project.
Table 17.1 Summary of Key Environmental Issues Avoided / Minimised
and Sensitive Areas Protected
|
Design
Approaches |
Environmental
Issues
Avoided/Minimised
and Sensitive Areas Protected |
|
Avoidance of Impact on Sites of
Conservation Importance |
• Encroachment of Lam Tsuen Country Park (LTCP), Conservation Area (CA), Wetland Conservation Area (WCA), Priority Site for Enhanced Conservation and Other Specified Uses (Wetland Conservation Park) (OU(WCP)) have been avoided. |
|
Avoidance/Minimisation of Ecological Impact
on Pond Habitat |
•
Impact to
the ponds which are
considered to have moderate ecological value, to the west
of San Tin Highway have been avoided. |
|
Incorporation of Wildlife Corridor
and Animal Barriers Design |
•
Incorporation
of wildlife corridor and
animal barriers design will
be adopted during the detailed design of the proposed road
connection to/from STT to
mitigate habitat fragmentation and maintain the movement access for
non-flying mammals including species of conservation importance. |
|
Preservation of Natural
Habitats |
•
Sites GB.1
and GB.2 have been retained in the RODP such
that the loss of natural habitats and the
associated flora species of conservation importance could be avoided. |
|
Revitalisation of
NTMDC |
•
NTMDC will
be revitalised to serve as green buffer,
enhancing
biodiversity as well as
the overall ecological value. |
|
Avoidance of Impact from the Existing Odour
Sources (i.e. chicken farms, LBF and TMB STP) |
•
The planned air sensitive receivers
(ASRs) have been
proposed to be
situated away from existing odour sources. •
Height
restriction of air sensitive uses including openable window, fresh air intake
and recreational use in open space at concerned sites that fall within odour
exceedance zone of existing odour sources has been proposed. |
|
Clearing of Existing Odour
Sources |
•
A chicken farm within the Project
Site will be removed to minimise the odour impact to the planned
ASRs under the Project. |
|
Provision of Sustainable
Transport Infrastructure to Promote Low-carbon Living |
•
Pedestrian-friendly environment
and robust cycling network has
been
proposed in
the RODP to promote walkability and
cycling for low-carbon living. |
|
Proper Design of
Transport Interchange Hub (TIH) and Public Transport Terminus (PTT) |
•
Operational fixed noise impacts
from the proposed TIH and PTT
to
noise sensitive receivers (NSRs) are avoided. |
|
Provision of Direct Road Traffic
Noise Mitigation Measures |
•
NSRs will
be
protected to achieve the statutory road traffic noise requirement
through
adoption of direct noise mitigation measures such as provision of LNRS,
absorptive type noise barriers, and acoustic windows/balconies or acoustic
windows/balconies lined with sound absorptive material. |
|
Preservation
of Points of Local Historical Interests |
•
Local
resources such as Wai Cheung Ancestral Hall and the former Yau Tam Mei
Primary School will be preserved in situ within the Project Site in the RODP. •
Flexibility for potential adaptive
reuse of building structures by future project proponents of UniTown is also allowed in the RODP for former Yau Tam
Mei Primary School. |
|
Implementation of
an Environmental Monitoring and Audit Programme during Construction and
Operational Phases |
•
To ensure that all the recommended
measures are in place. |
Table 17.2 Summary of Key Recommended Mitigation Measures / Good Site Practices / Enhancement Measures and their Associated Benefits
|
Environmental
Aspect |
Key
Recommended Mitigation Measures / Good Site Practices / Enhancement Measures |
Associated
Benefits |
|
Air
Quality |
Construction
Phase ·
Implement appropriate air quality control measures and good site
practices, such as regular watering, provision of hoardings on works sites in
proximity to ASRs, avoidance or covering of open stockpiles, etc. ·
Avoid the use of exempted non-road mobile machinery (NRMMs) and deploy
electrified NRMMs as far as practicable. Operational
Phase ·
Adopt appropriate odour
control measures for the proposed SPS, such as enclosure of odour sources
with negative pressure, provision of odour removal system with odour removal
efficiency of at least 95% (>99.5% removal for H2S) at the
ventilation exhaust, locating the exhaust of the deodouriser
furthest away and pointing away from any ASRs as far as practicable. ·
Locate air sensitive uses, including openable
windows, fresh air intake and recreational use in open space, outside the odour
exceedance zone. |
·
Protect ASRs by
reducing fugitive dust emissions and exhaust emissions from construction
plant and equipment ·
Minimise the potential
odour impact on the ASRs |
|
Noise |
Construction
Phase ·
Adopt quieter construction
methods, quiet Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) including Quality Powered
Mechanical Equipment (QPME), temporary movable noise barriers, noise
insulating fabric, noise enclosures, silencers and good site practices to mitigate the construction noise impact. Operational
Phase ·
Implement direct
mitigation measures, including the application of low noise road surfacing
material, vertical and cantilevered absorptive type noise barriers, and acoustic windows/balconies or acoustic windows/balconies lined with sound absorptive material at concerned planned residential sites. ·
Select proper quiet fixed plants and provide acoustic measures where necessary for the planned fixed noise sources
to ensure compliance with relevant noise standards at all NSRs. |
·
Protect NSRs by
mitigating construction and operational noise |
|
Water
Quality |
Construction
Phase ·
Implement the
mitigation measures as detailed in the Professional Persons Environmental
Consultative Committee Practice Note (ProPECC PN)
2/24 Construction Site Drainage and Environment, Transport and Works Bureau
Technical Circular (Works) (ETWB TC (W)) No. 5/2005 Protection of natural
streams / rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works, as
well as other good site practices to minimise the potential water quality
impacts from the construction activities. ·
Discharge surface run-off from construction sites into storm drains via
adequately designed sand/silt removal facilities such as sand traps, silt
traps and sedimentation basins. ·
Undertake all the
construction works related to the removal/diversion of watercourses, including revitalisation works at the NTMDC, and removal/filling of ponds in dry
conditions and physically separate from the watercourses nearby, for example, by provision of
concrete blocks, sandbag barriers or other appropriate measures, prior to the aforementioned construction works. Operational Phase ·
Avoid exposed surfaces as far as practicable. ·
Provide screening facilities at the inlet of drainage system. ·
Regular maintenance of stormwater drainage system. ·
Adopt various blue-green infrastructures including but not limited to
rainwater harvesting, use of porous paving materials and green roofs. ·
Incorporate precautionary measures in the design of the proposed SPS
and develop a Contingency Plan to deal with the emergency discharges from the
SPS. |
·
Protect the
neighbouring water sensitive receivers (WSRs) during construction and operational phases |
|
Sewerage
and Sewage Treatment Implications |
· Consider
proper sewage septicity control measures for the
proposed SPS and rising mains, such as direct injection of oxygen into the
rising mains and pre-aeration in the wet well of the proposed SPS. ·
Consider the use of non-dosing solutions prior to dosing
solutions. |
·
Avoid adverse impact on
the existing and planned sewerage systems |
|
Waste
Management Implications |
Construction
Phase ·
Implement good site practices
and waste reduction measures (e.g. reuse of construction and demolition
(C&D) material where practicable before off-site disposal or develop a
materials recovery and recycling programme during construction and
operation). ·
Implement a trip-ticket
system for each works contract in accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 6/2010 to
ensure that the disposal of C&D materials is properly documented and
verified. ·
Adopt Global
Positioning System (GPS) or equivalent system for tracking and monitoring of
all dump trucks engaged for the Project in recording their travel routings
and parking locations to prohibit illegal dumping and landfilling of inert
and non-inert C&D materials. ·
Handle chemical waste
in accordance with the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and
Storage of Chemical Wastes, and disposal of chemical waste at licensed
chemical waste recycling / treatment facilities. Operational
Phase ·
Handle clinical waste
in accordance with Code of Practice for the Management of Clinical Waste -
Major Clinical Waste Producers and Waste Collectors published under Section
35 of Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO). |
·
Minimise waste
generation ·
Ensure proper handling
of chemical waste and clinical waste ·
Ensure the C&D
materials are disposed of at the designated outlets |
|
Land
Contamination |
·
Carry out further land
contamination assessment, including further site appraisal and submission of
Contamination Assessment Plan (CAP)(s), for the whole Project Site at a later stage of the Project when site access is available to
confirm the existing land uses / activities, identify the presence of any
potential contamination sources, and address any new contamination
issues. ·
Carry out the
associated site investigation (SI) works and any necessary remediation action
after the operation of concerned site(s) has ceased but prior to the
commencement of construction works and submit Contamination Assessment Report
(CAR)(s) to present the findings of the works. ·
Submit Remediation Action Plan (RAP)(s) to Environmental Protection
Department (EPD) for approval if contamination is identified. ·
Conduct remediation
works according to the approved RAP(s), if necessary, and submit Remediation Report (RR)(s) to EPD for endorsement before commencement of any construction works. |
·
Identify and treat, if necessary, the land contamination identified prior to the construction works to avoid potential risk to workers and
future occupants |
|
Ecology |
Design
and/or Operational Phases ·
Avoid direct impact on recognised sites of conservation importance
within the assessment area. ·
Revitalise NTMDC and provide non-building area or “Open Space”
along both sides of NTMDC and peripheral tree planting as screening. ·
Preserve the mixed woodland at the southern part of the Project Site. ·
Explore the feasibility to adopt Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) technology for construction works within the WBA in
the detailed design stage. ·
Incorporate wildlife corridor and animal barriers design at the
proposed road connection to/from STT. ·
Provide embed/superimpose opaque strips or opaque dots/visual markers
on proposed noise barriers. ·
Use non-transparent or non-glaring building materials. ·
Provide tree planting at the eastern margin as screening. ·
Explore greening opportunities. Construction
Phase ·
Conduct pre-construction survey and transplantation / translocation
for flora/fauna species of conservation importance. ·
Conduct pre-construction survey and nest control measures for
White-throated Kingfisher. ·
Provide wetland compensation site. ·
Provide temporary access for wildlife, screen hoardings/fencings. ·
Adopt phased construction works for revitalisation works in NTMDC, and
undertake the revitalisation works in dry season. ·
Provide suitable lighting in construction sites, use directional
lighting and control night-time lighting period. ·
Provide screening (e.g. hoarding) for demarcation of the construction
site. ·
Adopt general good site practice, noise, air and water quality
mitigation measures. |
·
Avoid and/or minimise direct impacts on recognised sites of
conservation importance ·
Preserve the major bird flight corridor within NTM NDA ·
Enhance the ecological value of the existing NTMDC ·
Avoid and/or minimise direct impacts on mixed woodland habitat and
associated wildlife species ·
Avoid and/or minimise
disturbance to recognised sites of conservation importance and the associated
species of conservation importance and wildlife ·
Maintain the ecological linkage of the vegetated area in both eastern
and western side of the proposed road connection at Ngau Tam Shan ·
Avoid and/or minimise
impacts on bird collision ·
Minimise the potential
disturbance impacts with tree planting as screening ·
Enhance the overall
habitat quality and ecological connection of the Development Area with the
surrounding habitats ·
Avoid and/or minimise direct impacts to flora/fauna species of
conservation importance ·
Avoid and/or minimise direct impacts to nest of White-throated
Kingfisher ·
Compensate for the
unavoidable loss of marsh/reed and natural watercourse ·
Maintain the ecological linkage at Ngau Tam Shan and prevent and
minimise non-flying mammal species from entering the construction site ·
Minimise the extent of concurrent temporary loss of channel habitat as
well as the loss of foraging ground within the Project Site at the same
period ·
Reduce the potential
water quality impacts during the works within the NTMDC ·
Avoid and/or minimise
night-time disturbance ·
Avoid and/or minimise
disturbance impact to the recognised sites of conservation importance, other
ecologically sensitive resources and avoid an unintentionally access to the
nearby natural habitats ·
Avoid and/or minimise
potential noise, air and water quality impact |
|
Fisheries |
Construction
Phase ·
Isolate and disconnect all the affected fishponds from any existing watercourses. ·
Drain the ponds before filling up or before commencement of any excavation or
construction works. · Implement shoring / sheet pile wall which
should have grouting or a grout curtain to avoid water seepage from the
affected fishpond to the adjacent area. Construction
& Operational Phases · Implement water quality measures. |
·
Minimise potential water quality impact to the adjacent water bodies ·
Maintain bund stability |
|
Landscape
and Visual |
Construction
Phase ·
Preserve existing vegetation as far as practicable ·
Minimise disturbance on watercourses ·
Carefully manage construction facilities and activities ·
Reinstate temporarily disturbed landscape areas ·
Erect decorative screen hoarding Operational
Phase ·
Compensate loss of existing trees by tree planting in a ratio of 1:1
in terms of number as far as practicable ·
Provide roadside and amenity planting ·
Incorporate sensitive and aesthetically pleasing design of aboveground
structures ·
Provide buffer planting ·
Provide green roof ·
Revitalisation of NTMDC to create a blue-green network ·
Maximise greening on building structures and surfaces |
·
To minimise and mitigate any adverse landscape and visual impacts
during construction and operational phases |
|
Cultural
Heritage |
Design
Phase - Built Heritage · Review any
proposed revitalisation for HB1219 in later stages by future
project proponent(s) or subsequent developer(s). · Explore opportunity
for potential revitalisation of YTMT06 (if preserved in situ) by future project
proponent(s) or subsequent developer(s). Construction
Phase - Built Heritage · Conduct cartographic and
photographic record, and other documentation means (including
3D scanning) for items that will be subject to direct impact (i.e. demolition) prior to
the commencement of any construction works by the contractor(s) at the
respective locations for record purposes and future use, such as research,
exhibition and educational programmes. · Implement standard control measures on ground-borne vibration,
tilting and settlement by the future contractor(s) by drawing necessary references from relevant
government guidelines on other
identified items when there are construction works nearby. · Carry out
standard measures of condition survey for
HB1219 and YTMT06 (if preserved in situ) to better understand its
physical structural condition. A
post-construction condition survey should also be carried out to confirm its
structural stability. · Reserve a
buffer zone for HB1219 and
YTMT06 (if preserved in situ) by the project proponent or its contractor(s) according
to the results of the pre-construction condition survey in the design layout
of the Project to mitigate potential adverse
vibration impact arising from construction works. · Provide
protective covering or sheltering for HB1219 and YTMT06 (if preserved in situ) during
construction activities in proximity to avoid potential damages through
direct contact with construction machineries. · Adopt dust
suppression measures and good site practice by the contractor(s) during the
construction phase to avoid dust nuisance on HB1219, YTMT05 and
YTMT06 (if preserved in situ). · Maintain a
safe access route to HB1219, YTMT05 and YTMT06 (if
preserved in situ) by the contractor(s) for conducting mitigation measures. · Deploy management
measures by the
contractor(s), such as briefing to site staff before commencement of
construction works and posting notices at site office(s), to be aware of the other identified items in close proximity. Construction
Phase - Archaeology ·
Conduct archaeological excavation at the Project Site within Ngau Tam Mei Site of Archaeological Interest (SAI) before the commencement of works involving soil disturbance. ·
Conduct archaeological survey-cum-excavation at the NTM Archaeologically Sensitive Area (ASA) and NTM (North) ASA within the Project Site before the commencement of works involving soil disturbance at the
concerned areas. ·
Conduct archaeological survey at the low-lying agricultural fields and
hilly landscape within the Project Site where possess moderate-low
archaeological potential. ·
As a precautionary measure and pursuant to the Antiquities and
Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53), the project proponent is required to
inform the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) immediately in case of
discovery of antiquities or supposed antiquities in the course of works, so
that appropriate mitigation measures, if needed, can be timely formulated and
implemented in agreement with and to the satisfaction of AMO. |
·
To avoid or minimise the potential impacts to the concerned other identified items and archaeological resources |
|
Hazard to
Life |
Not
Required |
N/A |
|
Landfill
Gas |
Design /
Construction Phase ·
Set up a protective barrier at the point where a utility passes through the
perimeter of the Consultation Zone (CZ) of Ngau Tam Mei Landfill (NTML) such
that trench excavations do not form a route for gas migration. ·
Fill the void around any service ducts, pipes or cables within conduits at
the point where the trench passes through the perimeter of the CZ of NTML
with gas resistant mastic. ·
Designate service runs within the CZ of NTML as “special routes” and inform utility companies so that they could consider implementing
precautionary measures such as ensuring staff members are aware of the
potential hazards of working in confined spaces (e.g. manholes and service
chambers), and that appropriate monitoring procedures are in place to prevent
hazards due to asphyxiating atmospheres in confined spaces. ·
Monitor the presence of landfill gas for excavations of 1 m depth within the CZ of NTML before entry and periodically during the
works. ·
Adopt the procedures for safety management and working procedures described in
EPD’s Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment Guidance Note if drilling is required. |
To avoid or minimise potential
impacts, if any, to the surrounding areas and staff members. |
|
Electric
and Magnetic Fields |
Not
Required |
N/A |