9.1
This EIA
Report has provided an assessment of the potential environmental impacts
associated with the construction and operational phases of the proposed
developments under the Project, “Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,
Atrium Link Extension”.
9.2
Specific
mitigation measures requirements for the Project, as well as an environmental
monitoring and auditing programme, have been developed during the assessment of
the proposed developments. The Implementation Schedule of the recommendations
is presented in Section 10. The
principal findings of this study are summarized below.
Construction Phase
9.3
Dust
emission from the site is an area of the concern for the construction phase of
the Project. TSP would be generated from
construction activities. In view of limited scale of construction area and less
dusty construction activities, no adverse dust impacts would be expected at the
ASRs with the incorporation of dust control measures stipulated in the Air
Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation. These dust mitigation
measures and good site practices shall be incorporated into the contract
clauses. Environmental monitoring and audit programme was also recommended to
monitor the effectiveness of implementation of recommended dust suppression
measures during construction.
Operational Phase
9.4
Two assessment scenarios of operation
phase of the Project, Long-term Scenario and Interim Scenario, have been
assessed. For the Long-term Scenario,
cumulative air quality impact arising from vehicular emissions from existing
and planned roads with CRIII Project, CWB Project & WDII Project; tunnel
portal emissions from the CWB westbound slip road; portal emission from
proposed deckover (Atrium Link Extension), planned deckovers along Road P2 and
existing deckover over Expro Drive; and vent shaft emission from CWB Central
Ventilation Building was assessed. For
the Interim Scenario, cumulative air quality impact arising from vehicular
emissions from existing roads, portal emission from proposed deckover (Atrium
Link Extension) and existing deckover over
9.5
Results indicated that all representative ASRs and the
area underneath the Atrium Link Extension would comply with both the AQO and
In-Tunnel Air Quality Guidelines in the Interim Scenario. In view of provision of good indoor air
quality to the fresh air intakes at the Renaissance Harbour
View Hotel, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Phase I and Grand Hyatt
Hotel (ASRs A4, A5 and A6) located underneath the Atrium Link Extension, it is
recommended to re-divert these fresh intakes to the new fresh air intake
provided for the new Atrium Link Extension.
9.6
In the Long-term Scenario, all representative ASRs except some fresh
air intakes of the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre Phase I and Grand Hyatt Hotel (ASRs A4, A5 and A6) would satisfy with the
AQO. Re-diversion of these affected
fresh air intakes to the new air vent shaft provided for Atrium Link Extension
is recommended to alleviate the impacts. The air quality underneath the Atrium Link Extension would comply with
the EPD Tunnel Air Quality Guidelines but would not comply with the AQO. According to the current Draft Wan Chai North
Outline Zoning Plan, the planned land use underneath the Atrium Link Extension
is “Road”. However, in view of exceedance of AQO, the area underneath the
Atrium Link Extension would not be suitable for placing any air sensitive
receivers in the Long-term Scenario.
Construction Phase
9.7
The
nearest NSR (i.e. NSR N2 – Causeway Centre), which rely on openable window for
ventilation, is located about
Operational Phase
9.8
In terms
of operation noise impacts, the closest distance between proposed plant room
and the nearest NSR (Causeway Centre) identified are about
Construction Phase
9.9
Short-term
water quality impact could be associated with the proposed construction works.
Impacts may result from the surface runoff from construction sites, sewage from
on-site construction workers, wastewater from general construction activities
and seabed disturbance from marine piling and marine pile extraction. Impacts could be controlled to comply with
relevant standards in the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO)
standards by implementing the recommended mitigation measures. Installation of temporary marine piles is
required for supporting the temporary working platforms and temporary
footbridge during the construction period. These piles will be driven into
position and internal space will not be excavated, i.e. left as soil. No soil/sediment excavation would be carried
out. Marine piles would be removed by reverse driving. Typically there would be
little potential for disturbance to the marine sediments during the pile
installation and removal. Double layers of silt curtain are recommended to be
installed around the marine piling and marine pile removal works. Good site practices and water pollution
control measures are also recommended to minimize the water quality
impacts. Therefore, unacceptable
residual impacts on water quality would be unlikely.
9.10
Hydrodynamics
modelling was conducted to evaluate the flushing impact on the ALE sea channel
due to the installation of marine piles for supporting the temporary working
platform(s) and temporary footbridge in the sea channel between Phase I and
Phase II of the HKCEC during the construction period. The modelling exercise was carried out based
on a fully calibrated and verified model to ensure the model performance. Alternative layouts of temporary working
platform(s) were considered in the hydrodynamics modelling. The pile layout under Option 2 as shown in Figure 2.6 is recommended. Option 2 includes a
total of 79 nos. of marine cylindrical piles for supporting three temporary
working platforms and 1 temporary footbridge.
The nominal diameter of each marine pile is
Operational Phase
9.11
It is
proposed that the sewage arising from the proposed ALE to be discharged to the
existing
9.12
It is
proposed to discharge the additional stormwater runoff arising from the
proposed ALE to the existing
Construction Phase
9.13
Waste
types generated by the construction and demolition activities for the Atrium
Link Extension are likely to include C&D material, general refuse from the
workforce and chemical wastes from the maintenance of construction plant and
equipment. Provided that these identified waste arisings are to be handled,
transported and disposed of using approved methods and that the recommended
good site practices are to be strictly followed, adverse environmental impacts
would not be expected during the construction phase.
Operational Phase
9.14
The main
waste types generated during the existing operation of the pedestrian link
between Phase I and Phase II of the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre are
general refuse generated on site by the public and staff. These include waste paper, food wrappings and
beverage containers. It is estimated there would be a 5-7% increase ratio in
future operation of the establishment. The handling, collection, transportation
and disposal practices of the identified waste arisings in the future are
anticipated to follow the existing arrangements currently in operation at the
HKCEC.
Construction Phase
9.15
There will be some Moderate residual impacts due to the construction of the proposed HKCEC Atrium
Link Extension:
LR1 – Urban Waterfront and Harbour
9.16
Mitigation
measures will not be able to deal with the fact the construction will cover a
significant area of the waterfront and the sea.
The residual landscape impact during construction will be Moderate.
VSR
9.17
With
such close distance and prevailing view towards the New Wing (Phase II) and the
Harbour, the hotels will still have much view to the construction even with
mitigation measures. No matter how much
temporary screen is provided, the construction still cannot be ‘hidden’ from
the hotels. The residual visual impact
during construction will be Moderate.
VSR1B – Wan Chai Waterfront
9.18
Even
with mitigation measures, tourists enjoying and taking photos of the waterfront
will still have much view to the construction, which is visually
incompatible. It will be impossible and
unpractical to ‘hide’ the construction in such an open area. The residual visual impact during
construction will be Moderate.
9.19
There will be only one Moderate residual impact due to the operation of the proposed
HKCEC Atrium Link Extension for the scenario with all possible waterfront
developments (e.g. Road P2, CWB and WDII currently under review):
VSR1B
– Wan Chai Waterfront
9.20
With
Road P2, WDII etc.., mitigation
measures will not be able to deal with the significant increase in covered
vehicular surface, inducing Moderate visual impact during operation.
9.21
Key recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures
include, most importantly, the creation of cascaded roofs, sensitively designed
building façade, and roof gardens and the improvement of the existing covered
space underneath the proposed Atrium Link Extension. Due consideration on architecture, hard
landscape, soft landscape, finishes, and lighting elements shall be
provided. Other mitigation measures
include suitable appearance design for building service elements, transplanting
of existing affected trees to adjacent open space, provision of visual screens,
interior layout rearrangements, and reinstatement to existing waterfront public
footpath and open spaces.
9.22
The
findings of this EIA have provided information on the nature and extent of
environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the
Project. The EIA has, where appropriate, identified mitigation measures to
ensure compliance with environmental legislation and standards.
9.23
Overall, the EIA Report has predicted that the Project
would be environmentally acceptable with the implementation of the proposed
mitigation measures for construction and operation phases. Table 9.1 summarises the environmental
outcomes/benefits from the implementation of the Project and the recommended
mitigation measures. An environmental monitoring and audit programme has been recommended to
ensure the effectiveness of recommended mitigation measures.
Table 9.1 Summary of Key Environmental Outcomes / Benefits
|
Area/Issue |
Environmental
Outcomes / Benefits and Mitigation Measures |
|
Purpose
and Scope of the Project |
The purpose of the Project is to
provide additional exhibition space of The Project comprises:
construction and demolition of the temporary footbridge; demolition of
existing Atrium Link; construction and demolition of a temporary working
platform; construction of foundations and pile caps for the Atrium Link
Extension; and construction of superstructure for the Atrium Link Extension
(refer to Sections 2.4 to 2.12 for details). |
|
Design
Options Selection |
Apart from the current design, there are two
alternative schemes, namely, Scheme 1 with larger footprint without
intermediate column support; Scheme 2 with the same footprint as Scheme 1 but
with intermediate column support in the existing waterway between Phase I and
Phase II of the HKCEC. With the scheme of a large footprint, the ALE would block
the proposed vent building for the future MTR North Island Line. Also, it
will cause visual obstruction from the nearby buildings in particular the
hotels at HKCEC Phase 1. Regarding Scheme 2, the presence of permanent column
support may obstruct the flow and reduce the flushing capacity of the sea
channel between Phase I and Phase II of the HKCEC. The changes in the
flushing capacity may affect the dispersion of pollutants discharged from the
nearby stormwater culverts and may affect the water quality of the nearby
cooling water intakes and saltwater pumping station. The current design has been proposed in order to
minimize visual impact and water quality impact as far as practicable. |
|
Construction
Method |
Three options have been considered for the construction
of the temporary working platform over the waterway (refer to Sections 2.36
to 2.43 for details). Option 1: Cover the whole waterway with temporary
working platform. Option 2: Construct three individual temporary
working platform at the northern and southern shoreline water channel. Option 3: Construct a Amongst these three options, only Option 2 and Option 3
could meet the requirement on the number of temporary marine piles as
stipulated in the Gazette Notice No. 5415 under Foreshore and Sea-bed
(Reclamations) Ordinance. In terms of water quality, Option 2 is preferable
to Option 3 as the effective flow area in the main flow directions would be
larger under Option 2. |
|
Air
Quality |
No
adverse construction dust impacts would be expected at the ASRs with the
implementation of mitigation measures stipulated in the Air
Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and good site practices. In the
Long-term Scenario, the fresh air intakes at Renaissance
Harbour View Hotel (ASR A4), Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Phase
I (ASR A5) and Grand Hyatt Hotel (ASR A6) located underneath the Atrium Link
Extension and the area underneath the Atrium Link Extension would not comply
with the AQO. Re-diversion of these
affected fresh air intakes to the new fresh air intake provided for the
Atrium Link Extension (+55.8 mPD) is recommended. According
to the current Draft Wan Chai North
Outline Zoning Plan, the planned land use underneath the Atrium Link
Extension is “Road”. However, in view of exceedance of the AQO, the
area underneath the Atrium Link Extension would not be suitable for placing
any air sensitive receivers. In the Interim Scenario, the
air quality level of all representative ASRs and the area underneath the
Atrium Link Extension would comply with the AQO. In view of provision of good indoor air
quality, the fresh air intakes at Renaissance Harbour View
Hotel (ASR A4), Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Phase I (ASR A5)
and Grand Hyatt Hotel (ASR A6) located underneath the Atrium Link Extension
are also recommended to the new fresh air intake provided for the Atrium Link
Extension (+55.8 mPD). |
|
Noise |
The nearest NSR (i.e. NSR N2 - Causeway
Centre), which rely on openable window for ventilation, is located about In view of the large horizontal separation
and limited line of sight, adverse construction and operation noise impact
would not be anticipated. To minimize noise emissions, good site practices
and noise reduction measures are recommended during the design and
construction stage of the Project. |
|
Water
Quality |
The construction phase water quality impact
would generally be temporary and localized during construction. Hydrodynamics
modelling was conducted to evaluate the flushing impact on the ALE sea
channel due to the installation of marine piles for supporting the temporary
working platform(s) and temporary footbridge. Alternative layouts of the
proposed temporary working platform(s) were considered in the hydrodynamics
modelling. The modelling results concluded that the recommended layout would
cause the least impact on the flushing capacity of the sea channel. Double
layers of silt curtain are recommended to be installed around the marine
piling and marine pile removal works.
Good site practices and water pollution control measures are also
recommended to minimize the water quality impacts. No unacceptable residual water quality
impacts would be expected, provided that all the recommended mitigation
measures are properly implemented. The sewerage and drainage impact assessment
concluded that no adverse impact to the existing public sewerage and drainage
system is anticipated due to the proposed ALE. Therefore, no unacceptable
residual water quality impacts would be expected during the operational
phase. |
|
Waste
management implications |
Waste types
generated by the construction and demolition activities for the Atrium Link
Extension are likely to include C&D material, general refuse from the
workforce and chemical wastes from the maintenance of construction plant and
equipment. Strictly following the recommended good site practices would avoid
adverse impacts during the construction of the Atrium Link Extension.
Implementing the recommended handling and disposal methods could prevent the
generation of significant amount of these waste produced both on site and off
site. In particular, re-using and recycling of the C&D material generated
from the construction and demolition activities could reduce the net amount
of waste generation, subsequently minimizing the impact resulting from collection
and transportation of C&D material for off-site disposal. |
|
Landscape
and Visual |
LR1 – Urban Waterfront and Harbour Mitigation measures will not be
able to deal with the fact the construction will cover a significant area of
the waterfront and the sea. The
residual landscape impact during construction will be Moderate. VSR With such close distance and
prevailing view towards the New Wing and the Harbour, the hotels will still
have much view to the construction even with mitigation measures. No matter how much temporary screen is
provided, the construction still cannot be ‘hidden’ from the hotels. The residual visual impact during
construction will be Moderate. VSR1B – Wan Chai Waterfront Even with mitigation measures,
tourists enjoying and taking photos of the waterfront will still have much
view to the construction, which is visually incompatible. It will be impossible and unpractical to
‘hide’ the construction in such an open area.
The residual visual impact during construction will be Moderate. With Road P2, WDII etc.., mitigation
measures will not be able to deal with the significant increase in covered
vehicular surface, inducing Moderate visual impact during operation. Key
recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures include, most
importantly, the creation of cascaded roofs, sensitively designed building
façade, and roof gardens and the improvement of the existing covered space
underneath the proposed Atrium Link Extension. Due consideration on architecture, hard landscape,
soft landscape, finishes, and lighting elements shall be provided. Other mitigation measures include suitable
appearance design for building service elements, transplanting of existing
affected trees to adjacent open space, provision of visual screens, interior
layout rearrangements, and reinstatement to existing waterfront public
footpath and open spaces. |