4 noise Impact

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 This section presents an assessment of the potential noise impact associated with the construction and operation of the Project. The noise impact assessment is conducted in accordance with the requirements of Annexes 5 and 13 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) as well as the requirements set out under Clause 3.4.4 of the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-302/2017).

4.2 Environmental Legislation, Policies, Plans, Standards and Criteria

General

4.2.1 Noise impact is assessed in accordance with the criteria and methodology given in the Technical Memoranda (TMs) under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO), and the EIAO. The NCO and EIAO provide the statutory framework for noise control. Assessment procedures and standards are set out in the following TMs:

· EIAO-TM;

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

· TM on Noise from Percussive Piling (PP-TM);

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

· TM on for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites (IND-TM).

4.2.2 With regard to the assessments of the construction noise impact during restricted hours and operational fixed plant noise impact, the NCO designates acceptable noise levels for Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) on the basis of an Area Sensitivity Rating (ASR), based on the characteristics of the area within which they are located such as rural, village, low-density residential, or urban (see Table 4.1). Within these areas, the presence of "influencing factors" (such as the presence of industrial activities or major roads) can further affect the ASR and hence the acceptable noise levels.

Table 4.1 Area Sensitivity Ratings

Type of Area Containing NSR	Degree to which NSR is Affected by Influencing Factor
Type of Area Containing NSR	Not Affected	Indirectly Affected	Directly Affected
Rural area	A	B	B
Urban area	B	C	C
Low density residential area consisting of low-rise or isolated high-rise developments	A	B	C
Area other than those above	B	B	C

Construction Noise

4.2.3 The NCO provides the statutory framework for noise control of construction works, other than percussive piling, using powered mechanical equipment (PME) between the hours of 1900 and 0700 hours on weekdays not being a general holiday or at any time on Sundays and general holiday (that is, restricted hours). Noise control on construction activities taking place at other times is subject to the Criteria for Evaluating Noise Impact stated in Table 1B of Annex 5 in the EIAO-TM. The criteria are summarised in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 Noise Criteria for Daytime Construction Noise

Uses	Daytime Noise Criteria in Leq(30min), dB(A))
Domestic Premises	75
Educational Institution	70
Educational Institution (during examination)	65

Note: The above standards apply to uses which rely on opened windows for ventilation.

4.2.4 Between 1900 and 0700 hours and all day on Sundays and public holidays, activities involving the use of PME for the purpose of carrying out construction works is prohibited unless a construction noise permit (CNP) has been obtained. A CNP may be granted provided that the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) for the NSRs can be complied with. ANLs are assigned depending upon the ASR. The corresponding basic noise levels (BNLs) for evening and night-time periods are given in Table 4.3.

Table 4.3 Basic Noise Levels (BNLs)

Time Period	Basic Noise Level (BNLs), dB(A)
Time Period	ASR A	ASR B	ASR C
Evening (1900 to 2300 hours) ⁽¹⁾	60	65	70
Night (2300 to 0700 hours)	45	50	55

Note: (1) Includes Sundays and Public Holidays during daytime and evening.

4.2.5 The Noise Control Authority will consider a well-justified CNP application, for construction works within restricted hours as guided by the relevant Technical Memoranda issued under the NCO. The Noise Control Authority will take into account of contemporary conditions / situations 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 EIA 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 he thinks fit. Failure to comply with any such conditions will lead to cancellation of the CNP and prosecution action under the NCO.

4.2.6 Under the DA-TM, the use of five types of Specified Powered Mechanical Equipment (SPME) and three types of Prescribed Construction Work (PCW) within a designated area during restricted hours would require a valid CNP. The SPME includes 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.

4.2.7 In general, it should not be presumed that a CNP would be granted for carrying out PCW within a designated area during restricted hours. The CNP may be granted for the execution of construction works during restricted hours involving the use of PME and/ or SPME if the relevant ANLs and criteria stipulated in the GW-TM and DA-TM can be met.

4.2.8 Percussive piling is prohibited between 1900 and 0700 hours on any weekday not being a general holiday and at any time on Sunday or general holiday. A CNP is required for the carrying out of percussive piling between 0700 and 1900 hours on any day not being a general holiday. PP-TM sets out the requirements for working and determination of the permitted hours of operations. Referring to the construction method for the Project, percussive piling is not required.

Road Traffic Noise

4.2.9 For road traffic noise, the following L_{10(1 hour)} criteria stipulated in Annex 5, Table 1A of EIAO-TM are adopted for different types of noise sensitive receivers (NSRs):

· 70 dB(A) at 1 m from the external façades of residential dwellings, hotels, hostels, offices;

· 65 dB(A) at 1 m from the external façades of schools, places of public worship, courts of law, places where unaided voice communication is required; and

· 55 dB(A) at 1 m from the external façades of hospital, clinics, convalescences and homes for the aged, diagnostic rooms, wards.

4.3 Description of the Environment

4.3.1 The Project site is situated between the HKBCF Island and HKIA, at the south of the existing SkyPier. The location of the Project is shown in Figure 4.1.

4.3.2 The planned land use in the vicinity of the area is mainly for commercial or government/institutional use. The existing noise climate is dominated by the road traffic from road networks at Hong Kong International Island (HKIA), noise from nearby marine traffic and aircraft noise from aircraft approaching and departing from HKIA.

4.4 Noise Sensitive Receivers

4.4.1 In accordance with Annex 13 of the EIAO-TM, any domestic premises including temporary housing, school, educational institution, hospitals, medical clinics, homes for the aged, convalescent homes, places of worship, libraries, courts of law, performing arts centres, auditoria, amphitheatres are identified as NSRs.

4.4.2 With the limited scale of construction activities and low traffic flow (not more than 100 vehicles at peak hour) on the Bonded Vehicular Bridge, it is anticipated that the potential noise impacts arising from construction and operation of the Project would be limited to the sensitive receivers in the vicinity of the Project site. Therefore, the assessment area for noise impact assessment for the Project is proposed to be defined as 300 m from the boundary of the Project site in accordance with Clause 3.4.4.3 of the EIA Study Brief. The assessment area is defined as the area within 300 m from the Project area. The assessment area is shown in Figure 4.1.

4.4.3 For identification of NSRs within the defined assessment area, a review has been conducted based on relevant available information including topographic maps, Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) (e.g. Chek Lap Kok – OZP (Plan No. S/I-CLK/14) and Tung Chung Extension Area – OZP (Plan No. S/I-TCE/2)) and other published plans in the vicinity of the Project site. The identified existing and planned NSRs within the assessment area are presented in Table 4.4. Locations of these NSRs are shown in Figure 4.1.

Table 4.4 Identified Noise Sensitive Receivers

NSR ID	Description	Land Use	Rely on Opened Window for Ventilation?	Existing/ Planned NSRs
1	Offices at SkyPier	Other Specific Use	No	Existing
2	SkyCity Marriott Hotel	Commercial	No	Existing
3	Offices at Planned Passenger Clearance Building of HKBCF	Other Specific Use	No	Planned
4	Offices at Planned Intermodal Transfer Terminal	Other Specific Use	No	Planned

Note: All identified NSRs do not rely on opened windows for ventilation.

4.4.4 According to latest information available, no existing and planned NSRs which rely on opened windows for ventilation is identified within the assessment area. In accordance with Clause 3.4.4.4 of the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-302/2017), quantitative noise impact assessment for the Project is not required. As such, only qualitative noise impact assessment for construction and operational phases of the Project is necessary.

4.5 Evaluation of Noise Impact and Mitigation Measures

4.5.1 Since no existing and planned NSRs which rely on opened windows for ventilation is identified within the assessment area, there will be no adverse noise impact generated from the construction and operation of the Project.

4.5.2 Nevertheless, the following good site practices should be adopted during construction of the Project to minimise noise impact to the surroundings:

· Only well-maintained plant should be operated on-site and plant should be serviced regularly;

· Silencers or mufflers on construction plant should be utilised;

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

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

· Plant known to emit noise strongly in one direction should, where possible, be orientated so that noise is directed away from the nearby sensitive uses;

· Material stockpiles and other structures such as site hoarding should be effectively utilised to screen noise from on-site construction activities; and

· Noisy construction activities such as road breaking, should be scheduled to less sensitive hours during the day, e.g. midday.

4.5.3 For the operation for the Project, since no existing and planned NSRs which rely on opened windows for ventilation is identified within the assessment area, there will be no adverse noise impact and mitigation measure is not required.

4.6 Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements

4.6.1 Since no existing and planned NSRs which rely on opened windows for ventilation is identified within the assessment area, it is predicted that there will be no adverse noise impact generated from the construction and operation of the Project. Hence, environmental monitoring and audit is considered unnecessary.

4.7 Conclusion

4.7.1 Noise impact generated from the Project has been reviewed. Based on the latest available information, no existing and planned NSRs which rely on opened windows for ventilation is identified within the assessment area. No adverse noise impact will be generated from the construction and operation of the Project.