1                     INTRODUCTION

 

Background of the Project

 

1.1               Since the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) was completed in 1988 (Phase I) and extended in 1997 (Phase II), demand for ever-larger trade fairs there has kept increasing. The HKCEC already operates beyond capacity during peak seasons. Several mega trade fairs hosted annually in the HKCEC for light consumer goods, such as electronics, utilize all available space, including convention halls and meeting rooms. There are some 3,300 local companies on the waiting list of mega fairs organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) alone. These exhibitors, mostly small and medium-sized enterprises, are eager to participate but are unable to because of insufficient space.  

 

1.2               The TDC has proposed to expand the existing facilities to provide essential room for Hong Kong’s leading trade fairs to be held at the HKCEC. The Atrium Link Extension (ALE) will be constructed in place of the present link between the Phase I and Phase II buildings of the HKCEC and will provide accommodation for Hong Kong’s mega fairs. Figure 1.1 shows the location of the proposed ALE.

 

1.3               An application (No. ESB-137/2005) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the Applicant on 1 November 2005 with a Project Profile (No. PP-268/2005).

 

Purpose of the EIA Study

 

1.4               The Project would involve a road enclosed by decking above and by structure on the sides of more than 100m, therefore it is classified as a Designated Project under Item A.9, Part I, Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).  However, the Project would not involve a dredging operation which is less than 100m from a seawater intake point, thus the Project is not classified as a Designated Project under Item C.12, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO. 

 

1.5               In accordance with the EIA Study Brief for the Project, registered under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) as “Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Atrium Link Extension” (Ref No. ESB-137/2005), the purpose of the EIA is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and related activities that take place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions on:

Ÿ             The overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the Project;

Ÿ             The conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

Ÿ             The acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

 

1.6               The objectives of the EIA Study are:

i.               To describe the Project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the Project;

ii.             To identify the Designated Projects under Schedule 2 of the EIAO to be covered in the Project;

iii.            To consider alternative project design, alternative construction method(s) and sequence(s), layout of the temporary marine piles, and to compare their environmental benefits and dis-benefits with the view of selecting the preferred options from the environmental perspective;

iv.            To identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including both the natural and man-made environment and the associated environmental constraints;

v.              To identify and quantify air and water pollution emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses and to propose measures to avoid in the first instance or mitigate these impacts;

vi.            To identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to avoid in the first instance or mitigate these impacts;

vii.           To identify and quantify waste management requirements including handling and disposal of waste from the demolition of the existing Atrium Link;

viii.         To propose the provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the Project;

ix.           To investigate the feasibility, practicability, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures;

x.             To identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation phases of the Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

xi.           To identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

xii.          To investigate the extent of the secondary impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification; and

xiii.        To design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.

 


1.7               As specified by the EIA Study Brief, the EIA has addressed the following key environmental issues associated with the construction and operation of the Project.

Ÿ             The potential air quality impacts on the air sensitive receivers, including fresh air intakes of the nearby hotels and commercial buildings during the operation stage of the Project due to decking over the existing roads (e.g. Convention Avenue and Expo Drive Central) and planned roads (e.g. Road P2 and Central-Wan Chai Bypass as shown on the Draft Wan Chai North Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H25/1);

Ÿ             The potential construction stage water quality impacts on the water sensitive receivers including the Water Supplies Department’s Wan Chai Salt Water Pumping Station and other seawater intake points along Convention Avenue for flushing/cooling purpose;

Ÿ             The potential landscape and visual impacts on existing and planned sensitive receivers, including the nearby hotels in particular the lower floors, due to the construction and operation of the Project including area underneath the proposed Atrium Link Extension; and 

Ÿ             The potential impacts of various types of waste arising due to the construction and operation of the Project.

 

1.8               With reference to the Study Brief, the Project Profile concluded that the following environmental issues would unlikely cause adverse environmental impacts provided that statutory environmental requirements are fully complied with and good site practice is properly implemented. To provide full picture on environmental impacts due to the Project, however, this EIA Report would include information and reasons to justify whether or not the Project would cause any adverse impacts on the following environmental issues. The report would clearly identify any statutory environmental requirements to be followed and recommend good practice to avoid and minimise environmental impacts and nuisances.

(i)             Construction Stage: noise and dust; and

(ii)           Operation Stage: noise, waste and sewage

 

Structure of the Report

 

1.9               The remainder of the report is organised as follows:

Ÿ             Section 2 describes the Project and its need, implementation programme, and addresses alternative considerations;

Ÿ             Section 3 identifies and assesses the potential air quality impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project, and recommends necessary mitigation measures;

Ÿ             Section 4 identifies and assesses the potential noise impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project, and recommends mitigation measures to comply with the established noise standards, wherever necessary;


Ÿ             Section 5 identifies and assesses the potential water quality impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project, and recommends mitigation measures to minimise the impact;

Ÿ             Section 6 identifies and assesses the potential waste management implications associated with the construction and operation of the Project and recommends appropriate waste handling, transportation and disposal practices;

Ÿ             Section 7 identifies and assesses the potential landscape and visual impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project;

Ÿ             Section 8 highlights the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) requirements for the Project. The scope and approach are presented in detail in a stand-alone EM&A Manual;

Ÿ             Section 9 concludes the findings and recommendations of the EIA Study; and

Ÿ             Section 10 presents the Implementation Schedules of the various environmental issues addressed in the EIA Study.

 

1.10            With reference to Item 5.3, Annex 20 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), the following issues are not of concern in view of the nature and location of the Project. Thus, these environmental issues would not be investigated and included in this EIA study.

Ÿ             climate

Ÿ             soils

Ÿ             ecology

Ÿ             historic and cultural heritage

Ÿ             land use

Ÿ             impacts on people and communities

Ÿ             impacts on agriculture and fisheries activities