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
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).
1.4
The Project would involve
a road enclosed by decking above and by structure on the sides of more than
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.
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
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