THE PROPOSED
JOINT USER COMPLEX AND
WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AT
AREA 44 TUEN MUN
EIA Executive Summary
TABLE OF CONTENT
TABLE OF CONTENT 2
9 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND AUDIT 12
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1
The existing Castle Peak Fish Market (CPFM)
operates in a deteriorating, sub-standard, single storey temporary structure built 29 years
ago, without suitable measures to control noise and odour. The building area is
inadequate to effectively manage activities necessary for the efficient
operation of a modern fish market and together with a lack of suitable parking
and loading areas impacts an environmental nuisance to nearby residents in the
Sam Shing Estate and Hanford Gardens. Due to a lack of space and the need to
maintain the operations the present building cannot be improved and relocation
to a purpose designed building is necessary.
1.2 A Joint User Complex and Wholesales Fish Market (WFM Complex) at Area 44 in Tuen Mun is proposed to be built by the Architectural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR. The location of the proposed WFM Complex and its surrounding environment are illustrated in Figures 1a & 1b. The WFM Complex is to provide a permanent site for the relocation of the existing temporary wholesale fish market at Tuen Mun Area 27 and to accommodate community facilities such as a community hall for public use. Figure 2 shows the location of the existing sub-standard temporary Castle Peak Fish Market (CPFM) and its surrounding environment.
1.3 The proposed WFM Complex is a designated project under Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, Cap. 499 (EIAO). The Environmental Impact Assessment Report of the proposed WFM Complex was prepared in accordance with the Study Brief, ESB 061/2000, issued by the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (TMEIA).
2 PROJECT
BACKGROUND
2.1
The WFM was first included in Area 44 in the Tuen Mun New
Town Master Landscape Plan in 1978 and shown on the Tuen Mun Outline Zoning Plan (OZP)
No. LTM/2. The Tuen Mun OZP No. S/TM/5
gazetted October
1987 rezoned the site now occupied by Yuet Wu Villa from “Industrial” to “Residential (Group A)”
at the same time retaining the whole length of the waterfront in Area 44 as a site for a combined wholesale vegetable, fresh
water fish and FMO crustacean market.
No objection
to the OZP was received during the exhibition period.
2.2
The Environmental Improvement and District
Development Committee (EIDDC) under the then Tuen Mun District Board (TMDB)
discussed the proposed site at several meetings during 1996 and requested the
Planning Department to review the permanent site for the market in Area 44 and consider alternative
sites. A total of nine possible sites were evaluated and with the exception of the site in Area 44, all were found to be unsuitable.
2.3
The Committee for Planning and Land Development (CPLD) formally endorsed the Wholesale
Fish Market (WFM) at Area 44 by circulation in April 1997, and the TMDB approved this site in April 1997 with no adverse comments received at the briefing to the Board
in November 1997.
2.4
Following public concerns, the TMDB conducted a joint site visit in December 1998 and at the
Tuen Mun Provisional
District Board (TMPDB) meeting in January 1999 requested
Government departments to re-investigate four of the original sites in para. 2.2
2.5
In March 1999 the TMPDB accepted that relocation of the WFM in three locations,; and considered either Area 27, 38 or adjacent to the existing
WFM not feasible and should “not be further looked
into”. The TMPDB
in May 1999 endorsed by majority vote that relocation to Area 16 was not a feasible option leaving “Area 44 as the only suitable
option remaining” and advised the
Administration to
a) take the design work for the composite government development at Area 44 up to completion of the EIA study; and
b)
shift the whole complex in Area 44 northwards by 20
metres, thereby taking it (the WFM) further away from Yuet Wu Villa.
2.1In view of
the deterioration of structure, inadequacy of space for operation and environmental
nuisance imposed on the residents of the Sam
Shing Estate by the temporary Castle Peak Wholesale Marine Fish
Market (CPFM) at Area 27 of Tuen Mun, relocation of
the market to a permanent area is necessary. The
permanent WFM Complex is proposed to be relocated at Area 44 of Tuen Mun where the
provision of community facilities is required to meet the needs
of the expanding local population.
2.6 The proposed WFM Complex will have fisheries trading activities only at the ground floor level. These activities include wholesale chilled fish operations during the early hours of the morning (peak hours from 3:00am to 6:30am). The nominal design capacity for the fish market is 7900t per annum. (current throughput is approximately 6200t per annum or 17t per day). In addition to chilled fish auction operations, the WFM also caters for the unloading from vessels and the loading on vehicles of boxed fish (already boxed in ice) and live seafood during others hours (from 7:00am to 2:30pm). AFCD anticipate that boxed fish sales will gradually increase, currently 360 kilograms/day (0.35t/day), whilst the throughput of live seafood is around 660kilograms/day (0.65t/day). The market opening hours are from 3:00am to 5:00pm daily.
2.7 The WFM Complex includes a community hall, a spectator stand (for viewing the annual Dragon Boat Race) and other possible community uses which will provide much needed facilities to the nearby residents. In addition, the provision of a landscaped garden above the Fish Market will improve the visual environment along the shoreline. Table 2.1 shows the components of the proposed WFM Complex. The building layout plans are shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 & 6.
2.8 The joint-user complex originally incorporated a possible library which is included in the EIA study brief. Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) however, have reservations on the suitability of this site and currently do not support the inclusion. The provision allowed for the public library is therefore reserved for other possible community uses, which are also considered as environmental sensitive receivers and have been given full regard in the EIA study.
Table
2.1 Details
of the proposed facilities
|
Proposed Facilities |
Department/User |
Operational Requirements |
Population of accommodation |
|
Wholesale Marine Fish Market |
Fish Marketing Organisation |
5000 sq.m. (GFA) (including parking for 40 lorries) |
440 persons |
|
Community Hall |
Home Affairs Department |
1000 sq.m. (GFA) |
500 persons |
|
Other Possible |
To be confirmed |
3500 sq.m. (GFA) |
400 persons |
|
Refuse Collection Point (RCP) / Marine Refuse
Collection Point (MRCP) |
Food & Environmental Health Department
(RCP) / Marine Department (MRCP) |
800 sq.m. (GFA) |
10 persons |
|
Marine Management Office |
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department |
200 sq.m. (GFA) |
10 persons |
|
Spectator Stand |
Home Affairs Department |
Roof of wholesale fish market |
1000 persons |
|
Public Toilets |
Food & Environmental Health Department |
_ |
_ |
3 ASSESSMENT
APPROACH
3.1
In
order to address the environmental concerns, the EIA study has been conducted
with reference to the operation of the existing temporary CPFM in addressing
the likely key issues including air quality impact, noise impact, water quality
impact and waste management. Hazard assessment was carried out through the identification and evaluation of different failure
scenarios associated with ESSO’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Compound in the
vicinity of the proposed development. The potential environmental impacts arising during the construction
and operational phases are identified and evaluated. Mitigation measures and
recommendations were proposed, where necessary, to alleviate the environmental
impact and concerns.
4 AIR
QUALITY IMPACT
4.1
As the
subject site is an existing vacant flat area, it is expected that no
extensive excavation at the site will not be required be required and only typical site construction activities
will be involved. With the implementation of suitable
mitigation measures, construction activities will not result in unacceptable environmental impact.with the
highest potential to generate dust during site formation will be minimal.
The potential air quality impact arising from the construction of the proposed
WFM has been assessed and found to be within acceptable levels with the
implementation of dust suppression measures. Construction works will be closely
monitored to avoid smoke emissions from improperly maintained powered
mechanical equipment (PME).
4.2
Notwithstanding
that minimal air quality impact due to the construction activities is
anticipated, the “Dust Control Requirements” as listed in the Air Pollution Control
(Construction Dust) Regulation should be complied with throughout the
construction period. Good site management to ensure the proper functioning of
PMEs is essential and will be checked by daily site inspections.
4.3
For
the operational phase air quality impact, the
assessment has considered odour from the fish market and RCP operations, emissions
from additional lorries using the area and emissions from fishing vessels
approaching or leaving the market as potential sources of impact on air
quality. These These sPotential sources of odour have been assessed using
direct direct
measurements (e.g. odour samples taken ken at the existing CPFM), where necessary, and air quality prediction
models adopting conservative assumptions to ensure that all potential
impacts are properly addressed and received necessary mitigation.
4.4 Odour from market operations during the peak hours (from 3:00am to 6:30am) has been assessed for the worst case scenario over a year. The predicted odour concentrations at most air sensitive receivers within the study area (i.e. within 500m of the site boundary) are well below the acceptable criteria and would be unlikely to cause a nuisance.
4.2levels
likely
to cause a nuisance.that are
considered objectionable.
4.5
Daytime (i.e. non peak) operations
(from 7.00am and 2.30pm), involving the unloading from vessels and direct
transfer to parked lorries of live seafood and preboxed fish also have the potential to
generate odour nuisance, but at a much lesser extent than during the night time
auction operations. In view of the fact that Tthe throughput is considerably less
than that during peak operations and the odour from live seafood and preboxed contact of fish with the open air is in fact weaker than with chilled fish, greatly reduced and in
view of thisit is considered that the odour emissions will at the
most be 50% of peak levels. The nearby sensitive receivers
that open only during the day are particularly other users of the market complex,
Lawn Bowling Green and Tennis Court in the
adjacent District Open Space. However, even if emissions are conservatively
estimated at 50% of peak levels they will not result in unacceptable odour levels after
mitigation.
4.6
Mitigation measures are proposed to cope with the
cases where as a results
of prevailing wind direction and strength there is a low risk that a few
receivers may experience a minor and temporary odour impact. These measures
comprise:
·
full enclosure to lorry-parking and WFM areas facing the nearby sensitive receivers
·
provision of a mechanical ventilation system to extract odour from inside the premises and discharge at the seaside
·
fresh air inlets to be located on the podium adequately screened from sensitive receivers.to ensure fresh air intake
to the mechanical ventilation system
·
no on street
parking by providing adequate parking within the building
·
implementation of a management plan to ensure and
monitor good
handling and cleansing practices at the market, including suitable containment and daily removal of all organic waste and regular maintenance of
equipment.
·
good design with easy clean detailing and use of
impervious materials
to avoid build up of
odour from organic material carried in washing
water.
The above measures will ensure that there is minimal risk of unacceptable residual odour impact at any of the identified receivers as a result of market operations.
4.7
The
WFM management will pay particular attention to the specified mitigation measures
for odour reduction and to any complaints that arise from nearby receivers. During the initial 12 months
of operations regular odour patrols will be carried out by an independent
environmental consultant to monitor and verify if the
operation of the WFM would confirm that odours likely to cause aany odour nuisance are not to the nearby sensitive
receiversattributable
to the operations of the WFM. In the event that such monitoring showthat there
is a distinct incidence of unpleasant odourimpact at any
receiver that is
confirmed to be attributable to the operations of the WFM there is
provision in the building design to incorporate a scrubber system into the
ventilation system to remove odour before it is discharged outside the complex.
4.8
Deodourising systems will be incorporated in the
designs of the RCP, Marine RCP and public toilet to mitigate possible impacts
from these sources.
4.9 No unacceptable impacts are expected to arise from offsite marine traffic or vehicular emissions and mitigation measures are not necessary for these potential impact sources.
4.10 In summary, the construction and operation of the complex should not lead to unacceptable air quality impact at any of the identified air sensitive receivers provided that the recommended mitigation measures are adopted.
5 NOISE
IMPACT
5.1
The construction of the
proposed WFM complex
is anticipated to last for 2634
months (including
9 months piling)9 months for foundation construction and 25 months
for superstructure construction) and standard construction equipment will be used on
site. The potential construction noise impact on the
nearby sensitive receivers during the foundation and superstructure phases has
been evaluated. The assessment demonstrates that with appropriate mitigation measures, such as the use ofusing
quiet powered mechanical equipment, the construction noise levels at the nearby
sensitive receivers are within the acceptable noise limit as stipulated in TMEIA.
Practical noise mitigation measures such as scheduling of works, use of movable
noise screens and good site management practices are recommended to further
alleviate the potential construction noise impact.
5.2
TThe assessment has
identified fixed noise from market operations, traffic noise from additional
lorries using the area and marine traffic noise from fishing vessels
approaching or leaving the market as potential sources of operational noise
impact. These sources have been assessed using direct measurements (noise survey taken at
the exiting fish market), where necessary, and noise prediction models
adopting conservative assumptions to ensure that all potential impacts
are properly addressed and received necessary mitigation.
5.3
Sources of fixed noise arising from
the market operations and building services plant including that from vessels berthed at
the waterfront and lorries loading or waiting to load fish will not expectedcause
unacceptable noise impact on any identified sensitive receivers after the
recommended mitigation measures are implemented.
5.4
Mitigation measures to minimize the noise impacts
from the operation of the WFM have been integrated in the building. These measures include
·
full enclosure to lorry parking and WFM operations building elevations facing nearby
sensitive receivers,
·
construction of a projecting 5-meter wide and 90m
long canopy to the unloading area of the WFM along the waterfront,
·
acoustic louvres and silencers for mechanical ventilation system and other building
services plant,
·
provision of sufficient parking spaces inside the
premises to avoids on-street parking/queuing of lorries
·
implementation of a management plan to
ensure and monitor good practices for lorry and vessel management and schedule
regular maintenance of equipment.
5.5
Traffic noise from lorries using the market is not
expected to cause unacceptable impact on nearby sensitive receivers in view of the
limited additional traffic (up to 40 lorries) involved. Nevertheless, to
minimize the potential off-site traffic noise nuisance that may be caused to
nearby sensitive receivers, the WFM access junction will be designed to allow
only entrance to or exit from the
WFM complex to the northern
section of Wu Shan Road.
5.6
Marine traffic noise from the engines of vessels
approaching or leaving the market is not expected to cause potential nuisance
to any of the sensitive receivers close to the market irrespective of the route
they take. Since the operation of the WFM complex is will not increase vessel traffic within
the typhoon shelter, it is unlikely that the associated marine traffic noise
impact will be greater than at present.
5.7
Good management practices will
be adopted throughout the operation of the WFM in order to further minimize the
potential noise nuisance :
·
assistance will be sought from WFM users and vessel
operators to avoid prohibit the use of loudhailer operation and reduce horn
tooting along the seafront
·
vessel operators will be requested to avoid horning
except in emergency and to use other means such as phones to notify their
presence
·
vessel operators will be encouraged to continue to use the eastern entrance
of the typhoon shelter
·
vessel operators will be encouraged to use
silencers at fishing vessels’ exhaust
·
practical and safe movement within the harbour will
be monitored and maintained, and where possible minimize noise impact to nearby
residents
5.1Traffic
noise from lorries using the market is not expected to cause unacceptable impact on nearby sensitive receivers in view of the limited additional traffic (up to 40 lorries) involved. Nevertheless,
to minimize the potential off-site
traffic noise nuisance that may be caused to nearby sensitive receivers, exceed
the acceptable limit at any sensitive receiver even without mitigation to deter
the use of southern section of Wu Shan road. To reduce noise even further to
receivers facing Wu Shan Road it is proposed to engineer the WFM
access junction will be designed to allow onlydeter entrance to or exit to from the WFM complex from to the southernnorthern section of
Wu Shan Road.
5.8
In summary,
the construction and operation of the WFM complex will not lead to unacceptable
noise impact at any of the identified noise sensitive receivers provided that
the recommended mitigation measures are adopted.
5.1Marine
traffic noise from the engines of vessels approaching or leaving the market is
not expected to cause a potential nuisance to
any of the receivers close to the market irrespective of the route they take. At
Marina Gardens nNear the western entrance to
the typhoon shelter vessel engine noise may be close to the prevailing background
levels but in view of the existing night time noise source from steel barges at this receiver and the
likelihood that fishing vessels will use either entrance to the shelter it is
unlikely that vessel noise will be greater than at present. As further
mitigation it is proposed that Marine Department to monitor
vessel traffic approaches to the new complex and to encourage
the continued use of the eastern entrance by most fishing vessels, which is
likely anyway if vessels use the typhoon shelter’s eastern mooring facility.
6 WATER QUALITY
IMPACT
6.1 The
WFM Complex is bounded to the east by the typhoon shelter at Castle Peak Bay.
The ambient water quality in the vicinity of the typhoon shelter generally complies
with the Water Quality Objectives (WQO) of the North Western Water Control
Zone.
6.2
During
the construction period, the water pollution sources will include piling works,
wheel washing, surface runoff and occasional spillage of oil from equipment. The
surface runoff generated will mainly be laden with silt and mud and appropriate
silt traps will be constructed to avoid water quality impact on the water
body. Chemicals will be handled in
proper manner in accordance with the statutory requirements and guidance notes.
6.3 Wastewater
and surface runoff from the construction site should be collected and treated
appropriately before discharge into storm drains. The required effluent discharge standards
and monitoring requirements as stipulated in Water Discharge License willshould be
complied with throughout the construction period.
6.4 Major water
pollution sources during the operation of the WFM Complex are cleansing of WFM
and refuse collection points and sewage from toilets. The wastewater will contain
suspended solids and organic matters and will be discharged into the main foul
drainage system.
6.5 As the site
is located in urban area, all the wastewater and foul discharge generated from
the WFM Complex willshould
be directed to the foul sewer, whereas uncontaminated rain water willshould be
directed to the surface water system or directly into the sea, whichever is
appropriate.
7 WASTE
MANAGEMENT
7.1
The general approach of waste
management plan is prioritised as elimination, reduction, reuse, treatment and
then disposal of waste. The handling of waste willshould be
conducted in accordance with relevant ordinances, regulations and guidelines to
ensure that no environmental nuisance is caused.
7.1Construction wastes
including vegetation, plywood, excavated soil, rubble, packaging and garbage
are likely to be generated during the construction period. Small quantities of
chemical waste such as lubricant and thinner for the construction works are
also anticipated.
7.2
No
special waste will be generated during the construction period. The major
construction wastes include excavated soil, spent concrete, wooden board and
steel; and solid waste such as garbage, plywood and scrap metal. A Waste
Management Plan (WMP), to be approved by the Architect, will be required in the
building contract in accordance with the Works Bureau Technical Circular No.
29/2000 to set out the disposal strategy and waste management practice to be
implemented by the Contractor during construction.
7.3 Market operations will generate daily waste including broken polyfoam boxes, and small amounts of other plastic debris and dead fish. Reusable containers including polyfoam boxes will be used for fish rather than one-use containers. Recycling of material from broken polyfoam boxes will be arranged through a specialist contractor. After cleansing of the market the small amount of dead fish that remains will be sealed in collection bags and removed to the RCP in sealed containers within two hours of completion of auction activities.
7.4
Municipal solid waste generated from the community hall,
offices and other possible community uses will be segregated. Reuse of
materials will be practiced, as for example
single-sided paper for rough works, as much as possible within the
subject development. Any recyclable and reusable materials will be collected
and sent to waste collectors for regeneration.
7.5
A management committee will be
established to oversee the management and smooth running of Tthe Complex. The committee will draw up and
implement a waste management plan to identify appropriate segregation and
disposal of all waste and to check and maintain tidy and hygiene conditions for
Tthe Complex at all
times. The committee will be
responsible for regular assessment and updating of the management plan as
necessary.
8 HAZARD
TO LIFE
8.1 The location of the WFM Complex is such that about one-third of it would fall within the consultation zone of the LPG installation existing in Area 44 Tuen Mun. The risk assessment, through the use of hazard identification, identified a number of failure scenarios associated with the operation of the LPG installation. The assessment results demonstrate that there is no unacceptable risk to the population of the area.
8.2 The following mitigation measures are proposed to reduce the risk to minimal:
· Presence of a “crane free zone” to reduce the risk of tank damage due to crane operations during construction.
· Before excavation work is undertaken, the gas company will be contacted to obtain information on all gas pipes in the vicinity of the site. Suitable pipe locating devices and hand dug trial holes will be used to locate and confirm position of underground pipes. All workers will be given sufficient guidance about working in the vicinity of pipelines. Excavation will be carried out with due care following any advice given by the Gas Authority or Gas Company.
· Presence of a manually operated warning siren to instruct people to take shelter timely in case of emergency and thus reduces the risk to lives.
· Arrangement will be made with ESSO to avoid LPG delivery during the hours when the spectator stand is fully occupied on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.
· The final design of the WFM complex will minimize pedestrian access to the area of podium within the 150m consultation zone by concentrating planting areas within this zone of the podium where possible.
9
ENVIRONMENTAL
MONITORING AND AUDIT
9.1 An environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) manual has been prepared for the construction and operational phases of the proposed WFM Complex in order to monitor the noise impact, air quality, water quality and waste management. The manual has also been submitted along with the EIA Report.
10 CONCLUSION
10.1 The potential environmental impacts due to the construction and operation of the proposed WFM Complex have been assessed with respect to the environmental aspects including air quality, noise, water quality, waste management and hazard to life. With the implementation of suitable mitigation measures and EM&A programme, the construction and operation of the WFM Complex will have no adverse impact on the environment.