5.1.1
This
chapter presents an assessment of the potential noise impact associated with
the construction and operation of the proposed extension of Public Golf Course
at Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung (the Project). Mitigation measures, monitoring and
audit requirements, where necessary, are described.
5.1.2
It
should be noted that there is no specific requirement under the EIA Study Brief
for a noise impact assessment. This chapter is included in the EIA for completeness,
and to ensure any potential impact based on the latest golf course design is
evaluated and addressed.
Noise Assessment Study Area
5.2.1
For
the purpose of noise assessment, the Study Area generally covers 300 m
from the boundary of the work sites of the Project. Given the remoteness of Kau
Sai Chau and if no noise sensitive receivers can be found within this 300 m
boundary, this Study Area would be extended further.
Baseline Conditions and Description of the
Environment
5.2.2
The
existing noise environment at Kau Sai Chau is quiet/rural with intermittent
noise from marine traffic and from the golf course activities Noise levels
generally increases slightly during the summer months and holidays when the
number of visitors and associated water (sports/leisure) activities increases. The
amount of pleasure boats and ferry services (“kaito”) in Port Shelter also
increases during these periods contributing to the overall ambient noise level.
5.2.3
The
major landuse in Kau Sai Chau is recreational (the existing golf course), with
Construction Phase
5.3.1
Under Annex
5 of the Technical Memorandum on
Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIA-TM), the day-time noise
standard for domestic premises is 75 dB(A).
5.3.2
The
principal legislation on the control of construction noise during restricted
hours (i.e. 1900 to 0700 hours Monday to Saturday or at any time on Sundays and
public holidays) is the Noise Control
Ordinance (NCO) Cap. 400 and its associated Technical Memoranda. The contractor
shall comply with the NCO and all relevant regulations under this Ordinance,
including restrictions placed on noise from construction work and the
requirements to seek Construction Noise Permit (CNP). At present, some construction
works during restricted hours may be required to reduce nuisance to the golfers
or to avoid interfering with the golf course operation. For works to be carried
out during restricted hours, the contractor must obtain a CNP from the relevant
Noise Control Authority (i.e.
5.3.3
Despite
the description or assessment made in the subsequent sections, 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 by the relevant
Technical Memorandum (Memoranda) issued under the NCO. The Noise Control
Authority will take into account of contemporary situations/conditions of
adjoining land uses and any previous complaints against construction activities
at the site before making his decision in granting a CNP. Nothing in this
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 conditions
that are considered appropriate and such conditions are to be followed while
the works covered by the permit are being carried out. Failure to comply with
any such conditions will lead to cancellation of the CNP and prosecution action
under the NCO.
Operational
Phase
5.3.4
Fixed
noise is controlled under Section 13 of the NCO and its associated Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of
Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction
Sites (TM-
5.3.5
According
to Table 1 of Annex 5 of the EIA-TM, fixed noise sources must be limited to 5
dB(A) below the appropriate Acceptable Noise Levels (ANLs) shown in TM-
Table 5.1 Acceptable
Noise Levels for the Fixed Noise Sources in the Proposed Golf Course
|
Time Period |
EIA-TM Fixed Noise Criteria
for Area Sensitivity Rating “A” (Leq 30 minutes, dB(A)) |
|
Day (0700 to 1900 hours) |
55 |
|
Evening (1900 to 2300 hours) |
55 |
|
Night (2300 to 0700 hours) |
45 |
Notes:
5 dB(A) below the acceptable noise level in
the Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than
Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites.
5.3.6
In any
event, the area sensitivity rating assumed in this EIA report is for indicative
assessment only. It should be noted that fixed noise sources are controlled
under Section 13 of the NCO. At the time of investigation, the Noise Control
Authority shall determine noise impact from concerned fixed noise sources on
the basis of prevailing legislation and practices being in force, and taking
account of contemporary conditions / situations of adjoining land uses. Nothing
in this EIA report shall bind the Noise Control Authority in the context of law
enforcement against any fixed noise source being assessed.
5.4.1
Figure
3.1 identifies the locations of the Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) based on
the information from the survey maps and site visits. There are no Outline Zoning
Plans currently covering Kau Sai Chau. Table 5.2 gives the details of each of
these NSRs and the type of noise sensitive land uses they represent. The only
NSRs on
Table 5.2 Details of Representative Noise
Sensitive Receivers
|
NSR |
Description of Existing
Use |
No. of Storeys of Existing
Use |
Area Sensitivity Rating * |
Shortest Horizontal
Distance from NSR to Works Boundary (approximate, m) |
|
|
Village (abandoned) |
1 to 3 |
A |
1300 |
|
|
Village |
1 to 3 |
A |
1060 |
|
Louisa Landale Campsite |
Hostel / Campsite |
2 |
A |
980 |
* Suggested
for the purpose of this Environmental Impact Assessment only, given that EPD
will reserve the right to determine appropriate Area Sensitivity Ratings (ASRs)
when required on a case by case basis.
Potential Sources of Impact
5.5.1
The
construction activities for the proposed golf course can be broadly
differentiate into the following major works:
§
Mobilization
/ site clearance / preparation;
§
Construction
of bulk irrigation supply (desalination plant and sea water pumping station);
§
Temporary
works for material delivery (construction of temporary barging point);
§
Permanent
bridge construction;
§
Bulk
earthwork (excavation and backfilling);
§
Construction
of deep drainage system;
§
Profiling,
sand capping, construction of land drainage system, cart track and other
ancillary facilities;
§
Turfing
works; and
§
Extension
of the administration building.
5.5.2
A
balanced cut and fill volume (approximately 530,000 m3) can be
achieved in this Project. Temporary haul road will be required within the site
to transfer these cut and fill materials.
5.5.3
Blasting
may be necessary during bulk excavation works. The location, timing and
frequency cannot be ascertained at this stage as it will depend largely on
actual geological condition of the site and contractor’s working method.
Construction Schedule and Programme
5.5.4
At the
time of assessment, construction works is tentatively expected to commence in February
2006 and will be completed in February 2007. Based on site condition and
terrain, the construction will likely be grouped into three distinct works
locations / phases; i.e. northern, central and southern areas. The actual
arrangements will be subject to the contractor’s working programme and method.
Construction Equipment
5.5.5
The
type and quantity of Powered Mechanical Equipment (
Table 5.3 Tentative List
of Likely Powered Mechanical Equipment to be used
during Construction
|
Construction Works |
Likely |
Sound Power Level of each |
Likely Quantities |
Total Sound Power Level, dB(A) |
|
Mobilisation / Site Preparation / Site
Clearance |
Excavator Dump truck Bulldozer Generator Crane |
112 117 115 100 112 |
2 2 2 2 2 |
123.6 |
|
Bulk Irrigation Supply (desalination
plant, sea water pumping station & rising mains) |
Bulldozer Excavator Crane Lorry Generator Derrick barge Concrete lorry mixer Vibratory poker |
115 112 112 112 100 104 109 113 |
1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 |
122.3 |
|
Temporary Works for Material Delivery (construction
of temporary barging point) |
Bored piling machine Derrick barge Excavator Dump truck Crane Generator Concrete lorry mixer Vibratory poker |
115 104 112 117 112 100 109 113 |
1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 |
122.9 |
|
|
Excavator Dump truck Crane Lorry Generator Concrete lorry mixer Vibratory poker |
112 117 112 112 100 109 113 |
1 1 1 1 1 1 2 |
121.7 |
|
Bulk Earthwork (excavation and
backfilling) |
Bulldozer Excavator Dump truck Crane Generator Vibrator roller Rock crusher |
115 112 117 112 100 108 121* |
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 |
126.9 |
|
Deep Drainage System |
Excavator Dump truck Crane Generator Air compressor Vibratory roller Submersible water pump |
112 117 112 100 104 108 85 |
2 2 2 2 2 2 4 |
122.6 |
|
Profiling, Sand Capping, Land Drainage
System and Cart Track |
Excavator Bulldozer Dump truck Crane Generator Air compressor Vibratory roller Grader |
112 115 117 112 100 104 108 113 |
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 |
124.6 |
|
Turfing |
Excavator Lorry Crane Generator Air compressor |
112 112 112 100 104 |
2 2 2 2 2 |
120.1 |
|
Extension of |
Excavator Dump truck Crane Generator Lorry Air compressor Concrete lorry mixer Vibratory poker Bar bender and cutter |
112 117 112 100 112 104 109 113 90 |
2 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 |
122.9 |
|
Concrete Batching Plant |
Batching plant Conveyor belt Lorry Concrete lorry mixer |
108 90 112 109 |
1 1 1 2 |
114.6 |
|
Overall Sound Power Level,
dB(A) |
133 |
|||
Notes:
Sound Power Level based on Technical Memorandum on Noise from Construction
Work other than Percussive Piling.
* Sound Power Level of rock crusher quoted from Agreement CE 19/97:
Planning and Engineering Feasibility Study for Development near Choi Wan Road
and Jordan Valley - EIA Final Assessment Report (Ref. AEIAR-008/1999).
Assessment Methodology and Assumption
5.5.6
The
construction noise assessment has been conducted based on standard acoustic
principles, the methodology stated in Sections 5.3 & 5.4 of Annex 13 of the
EIA-TM, and the Technical Memorandum on
Noise from Construction Work other than Percussive Piling (TM-GW). Haul
road noise has been conducted with reference to the BS 5228: Part 1: 1997 Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and
Open Sites, Part 1: Code of Practice for Basic Information and Procedures for
Noise and Vibration Control (BS5228).
5.5.7
The
assessment has been undertaken on the basis of the assumption that all
construction works and equipment will be located at a works area closest to the
NSRs and are operating at the same time although some of the works will not
overlap in actual construction. Such worst possible scenario would cater for all
the different work packages or phases likely to be encountered throughout the construction
period. Substantial shielding from the current golf course and other topographic
features exist in Kau Sai Chau and its effect has been considered in the
assessment. A façade correction of +3 dB(A) is added to account for sound
reflection from the building’s surface of the NSR.
5.5.8
Details
of the estimated haul road traffic can be found in the Air Quality Impact
Assessment (Chapter 4). The distance is assumed to be the shortest distance
from the works boundary to the NSRs to simulate a worst case scenario. Average
vehicle speed of the dump truck traveling along the haul road is assumed to be 10
km/hr.
Assessment Result
5.5.9
The
predicted noise levels for general construction and haul road traffic at the
NSRs is summarized below in Tables 5.4 and 5.5 respectively.
Table 5.4 Predicted Construction Noise
Level
|
NSRs |
Shortest Horizontal
Distance from NSR to Works Area, m |
Distance Correction, dB(A) |
Topographic Shielding,
dB(A) |
Façade Correction, dB(A) |
Predicted Noise Level,
dB(A) |
|
|
1300 |
70 |
-10 |
+3 |
56 |
|
|
1060 |
69 |
-10 |
+3 |
58 |
|
Louisa Landale Campsite |
980 |
68 |
-10 |
+3 |
58 |
Notes:
Based on an overall sound power level of 133 dB(A).
Table 5.5 Predicted
|
NSRs |
Number of Trips Per Hour
(worst case)* |
Shortest Horizontal
Distance from NSR to Works Area, m |
Topographic Shielding,
dB(A) |
Predicted |
|
|
44 |
1300 |
-10 |
52 |
|
|
28 |
1060 |
-10 |
51 |
|
Louisa Landale Campsite |
44 |
980 |
-10 |
54 |
Notes:
Sound power level of truck is 117 dB(A), vehicle speed is 10 km/hr. A 3
d(B)A façade correction is included.
* Details of the haul road trips assumptions and calculations can be
found in Chapter 4 – Air Quality.
5.5.10 The total cumulative predicted noise level is
shown in Table 5.6 below.
Table 5.6 Total Cumulative Predicted Noise
Level
|
NSRs |
Noise Source |
Predicted Noise Level,
dB(A) |
Total Cumulative Predicted Noise Level,
dB(A) |
|
|
All construction works |
56 |
57 |
|
Haul road |
52 |
||
|
|
All construction works |
58 |
58 |
|
Haul road |
51 |
||
|
Louisa Landale Campsite |
All construction works |
58 |
60 |
|
Haul road |
54 |
Note: EIA-TM noise standard for residential premises: Leq (30
minutes) 75 dB(A)
5.5.11 As shown in the above table, the total
cumulative predicted noise levels under the worst case scenario will not exceed
the 75 dB(A) day time noise standard. There are no existing schools in Kau
Sai Chau. Mitigation measures are not required during construction phase of the
Project.
5.5.12 The noise from blasting is audible to a
varying degree depending on wind strength, direction and atmospheric conditions
as well as the amount of explosives used. However, this noise is not considered
to have a significant adverse noise impact due to its infrequent and
instantaneous nature. Nonetheless, adequate warning should be given to the NSRs
on the timing and duration of each blasting. Regulatory controls on explosives (and
blasting) are under the authority of the Mines Division of the Geotechnical
Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD).
Permits for the use of explosives must be obtained by the contractor from the
Mines Division of CEDD which also stipulates particular restrictions on
blasting procedures.
5.6.1
The
number of golfers / visitors to Kau Sai Chau is expected to increase with the
opening of the proposed extension. The current ferry and bus services of the
golf course will be adequate to cater for the increase patronage. Land
transportation to Sai Kung is by private car or public transportation and will normally
be spread out at different times of the day. The expected increase in traffic is
considered to be negligible in terms of the overall traffic volume in Sai Kung.
5.6.2
Pumps
will be installed as part of the land drainage system of the proposed golf
course to collect and divert storm water to the lakes or reservoir. All the
pumps will be entirely underground and covered. The other potential fixed noise
source will be the proposed desalination plant including its associated sea
water pumping station. Details of the proposed desalination plant are not
available at this stage. The likely location is expected to be adjacent to the
existing ferry pier at the western coast of
5.6.3
Noise
impact during the operation of the proposed golf course is therefore not
expected.
5.7.1
Given
the large buffer distance between the NSRs and the proposed golf course,
residual impact from both construction and operational noise are not expected.
5.8.1
The
potential concurrent project in Sai Kung area would be the DSD’s Drainage
Improvement Project in
5.9.1
Further
information regarding noise monitoring and audit are described in the
stand-alone Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual.
5.10.1 The use of powered mechanical equipment
during the construction phase of the proposed golf course extension is not
expected to create noise nuisance, given the remoteness of the Project and the
large buffer distance between the works and the noise sensitive receivers.
Mitigation measures are therefore not required.
5.10.2 Operation of the proposed golf course is
also not expected to pose noise impacts to the noise sensitive receivers.