1.0       INTRODUCTION

Background

1.1               In order to facilitate the construction works for the Cyberport Development, the Project Proponent intends to erect a concrete batching plant for the day-to-day consumption at the site.  However, the proposed facility has the potential to cause adverse cumulative impacts on the air quality and to a lesser extent the noise level, water quality, waste management and visual quality at the nearby sensitive receivers. As the issue was not addressed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, entitled “Infrastructural Works for the Proposed Development at Telegraph Bay” (hereinafter called “approved EIA Report”) for the proposed development, the establishment of the proposed facility is considered to constitute a Material Change to the approved EIA Report. This report has been prepared to address this Material Change in fulfilment of the requirement of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).

1.2               Maunsell Consultant Asia Limited (MCAL) in association with Maunsell Environmental Management Consultants Limited (MEMCL) were commissioned by Cyber-Port Limited to assess the potential environmental impact of constructing and operating the proposed concrete batching plant on the nearby sensitive receivers. This report presents the assessment criteria, methodology, and results for the potential noise, dust and visual impacts, as appropriate, during construction and operation phases, with and without mitigation measures. It addresses also the cumulative effect with the concurrent construction activities including advance works, main construction works and road works (include Southern Access Road, Northern Access Road, D1 and D2 roads). An EM&A Manual has also been prepared as a stand-alone document.

Objectives of the Environmental Impact Studies

1.3               The main objective of this EIA were as follows :

1.4               To identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the Projects;

1.5               To identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significant of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

1.6               To propose the provision of mitigation measures so as to minimizeminimise pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance arising from the project;

1.7               To identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) and the cumulative effects expected to arise from the project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

1.8               To identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the Project which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and to reduce them to acceptable levels.

Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment Study

1.9               This EIA study addressed the likely potential air quality, noise, visual, waste management and water quality impacts of the project, together with any other key issues identified during the course of the EIA study.

1.10            The concrete batching plant will be constructed in two stages.  Stage 1 is a mobile unit, with a total cement silo capacity of 45 tonnes, and Stage 2 is a more permanent unit with a total cement silo capacity of 800 tonnes. Once the Stage 2 plant is operational, the Stage 1 mobile unit will be used as back up and will not operate concurrently with the Stage 2 plant. As a worst case scenario, the assessment has therefore focused only on the impacts arising from the Stage 2 batching plant.