5. landscape and visual impact

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1.1 The landscape and visual impact assessment in the EIA Report has identified the key issues and the possible impacts due to the proposed Project. It has also recommended mitigation measures for minimizing the impacts and for improving overall landscape and visual quality. The Contractor will be responsible for the implementation of mitigation measures. The Contractor shall employ their own qualified landscape consultants for the construction and operation phases of the Project.

5.2 Monitoring Requirement

5.2.1.1 A Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) employed by the Contractor,, with substantial construction site experience, shall be responsible for conducting the baseline review and monitoring the design, implementation and maintenance of landscape and visual mitigation measures during the construction and operational phases in accordance with the EIA Report.

5.3 Construction Phase

Baseline Review

5.3.1.1 A baseline review shall be undertaken at the start of the construction phase and prior to the commencement of the construction works. The purpose of the review is:

l To check the status of the landscape resources within, and immediately adjacent to, the works areas

l To determine whether amendments in the design of the landscape and visual mitigation measures are required for those changes

l To recommend any necessary amendments to the design of the landscape and visual mitigation measures due to the above changes, if any.

Design of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

5.3.1.2 The landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be incorporated as soon as possible during detailed design stage, so as to ensure the mitigation effect and achieve the intended aims as described in Table 8.6, Section 8 of the EIA Report. Any changes to the mitigation measures that may be recommended as a result of the Baseline Review or on-going monitoring of the Design, Construction and Establishment Works shall be taken into account.

Landscape and Visual Monitoring

5.3.1.3 The design, implementation and maintenance of landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be checked at least monthly to ensure that they are fully realised. Any potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and any other project works or operational requirements shall also be recorded for the Contractor to resolve in early stage, without compromising the intention of the mitigation measures. If there is repeated non-compliance of the landscape and Visual mitigation measures, DSD shall be informed and EPD shall be notified as necessary.

5.4 Operation Phase

Landscape and Visual Monitoring

5.4.1.1 All landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be monitored monthly during the first year of the Operational Phase to ensure the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. If there is repeated non-compliance of the landscape and visual mitigation measures, DSD shall be informed and EPD shall be notified as necessary.

5.5 Construction and Operation Phase Audit

5.5.1.1 A competent registered landscape architect (RLA) should be employed by the Contractor for the implementation of landscape works, particularly during site clearance when the proposed tree felling, lifting and transplantation will take place and subsequent maintenance operations during the 12 months establishment period. The establishment works will be undertaken throughout the one year maintenance period which will be within the first operational year of the Project.

5.5.1.2 All measures undertaken by both the Contractor and their Landscape Contractor during the construction phase and first year of the operational phase shall be audited by the registered landscape architect (RLA)., This will be completed on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the EIA Study. Site inspections should be undertaken at least monthly throughout the construction period and operational phase. Operational phase auditing will be restricted to the 12 months establishment works of the landscaping proposals, with the appropriate agents taking over the maintenance and monitoring after this period as identified in the EIA Report.

5.5.1.3 In addition, audit of mitigation measures to avoid impacts on landscape and visual resources will be required during the construction period, together with supervision of the compensatory planting. The audit of the compensatory planting will also extend during the one year maintenance period, to ensure the establishment of the compensatory planting.

5.6 Mitigation Measures

5.6.1.1 The landscape and visual impact assessment of the EIA Study recommended a series of mitigation measures to ameliorate the landscape and visual impacts of the Project. There will be no off-site mitigation measures during the construction phase for the upgrading works of the Pillar Point STW. The measures for both the construction and operation phases as recommended in the EIA Report are summarised in Tables 5.1 and 5.2 below. The implementation schedule of the recommended mitigation measures is presented in Appendix A.

Table 5.1 Proposed Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures in Construction Phase

ID No.	Nature / Type	Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measure
CM1	Design / construction Planning	Temporary Tree Nurseries Temporary tree nurseries may be set up for the transplanted tree and proposed trees at an early stage to allow small trees to grow during the construction periods. By the time when planting area becomes available, trees mature and increase in trunk & spread size. They will require minimal pruning and suffer much less damage during transplanting when comparing the travel distance from an on-site nursery to an off-site nursery. Besides, these trees may also be positioned as visual mitigation during the construction period. Potential site and locations should sought agreement with relevant department in advance and avoid doubling transplantation procedure..
CM2	Design / construction Planning	No-intrusion Zone To maximize protection to existing trees and ground vegetation, construction contracts may designate “No-intrusion Zone” to various areas within the site boundary with rigid and durable fencing for each individual no-intrusion zone. The contractor should close monitor and restrict the site working staff not to enter the “no-intrusion zone”, even for non-direct construction activities and storage of equipment.
CM3	Design / construction Planning	Hoarding Hoarding or boundary fencing for construction shall be considered. It should be sensitively designed, subtle, camouflaged and more ‘permeable’ so that they fit into the existing environment when looking from outside.
CM5	Site Practice	Dust and Erosion Control for Exposed Soil Excavation works and demolition of existing building blocks and which will be highly visible form surrounding areas should be well planned and with precautions to suppress dust. Exposed soil shall be covered or ‘camouflaged’ and watered often. Areas that are expected to be left with bare soil for a long period of time after excavation shall be properly covered with suitable protective fabric. Silt and erosion shall be controlled by ground barriers around the slope cutting area.
CM6	Site Supervision	Existing Tree Record Inventory All retained trees should be record photographically at the commencement of the Contract, and carefully protected during the construction period. Detailed tree protection specification shall be allowed and included in the Contract Specification, which specifying the tree protection requirement, submission and approval system, and the tree monitoring system.
CM7	Site Practice	Construction Light All security floodlights for construction sites shall be equipped with adjustable shield, frosted diffusers and reflective covers, and be carefully controlled to minimize light pollution and night-time glare to nearby residences and GIC users. The Contractor shall consider other security measures which shall minimize the visual impacts.
CM8	Design / construction Planning	Tree Transplanting Apart from the 18 numbers of “Leucaena leucocephala”, which are proposed to be felled in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006, all the affected trees shall be transplanted. Where practicable, trees shall be directly transplanted to permanent onsite locations.
CM9	Design / construction Planning	Tree Compensation Ratio The total number of compensatory trees planted in the project area shall not be less than 1:1 ratios by new trees. Required numbers and locations of compensatory trees shall be determined and agreed with Government during the tree felling application process under ETWCTC 3/2006. Compensatory trees shall be at least heavy standard size to create “immediate” greening effect. 81 numbers of “Cassia surattensis” will be provided as the additional compensatory planting for loss of greenery in the area due to removal of the affected trees.
CM10	Design / construction Planning	Re-use of Existing Soil and Formation of Planting Area in advance Existing topsoil shall be re-used where possible for new planting areas within the project. Preparation of planting area and early implementation of the planting works in advance can minimize adverse impact on trees. The construction program shall consider using the soil removed from one phase for backfilling another. Suitable storage ground, gathering ground and mixing ground may be set up on-site as necessary.

Table 5.2 Proposed Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures in Operation Phase

ID No.	Nature / Type	Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measure
OM1	Site Supervisions	Establishment Period 12 month establishment period for the soft landscape works will be allowed in the main contract. Most construction contracts in Hong Kong require the Contractor to carry out routine horticultural operations, including watering, pruning, weeding, pest control, replacement of dead plants etc. to ensure healthy establishment of new planting during a 12 month is recommended to carry out monthly monitoring in establishment period. This period also serves as a kind of warranty / guarantee on the quality of the plants supplied and installed by the Contractor.
OM2	Design / construction Planning	Re-instatement of excavated Area All excavated area and disturbed area for utilities diversion, temporary road diversion, and pipeline woks will be reinstated to former conditions, subject to applicable Government Standards.
OM3	Design / construction Planning	Appearance and Greening for the proposed structures Compatible design, construction materials and surface finishes of the proposed structure should match with the nearby existing external appearance of PPSTW buildings for achieving visual uniformity. Finishing materials shall have due consideration to form, basic color, color/tone variation, micro- and macro-texture, and reflectivity/light absorbance to avoid glare. Planting, such as turf, low groundcovers and climbers, may also be planted on top of these elements to provide greening and aesthetic effect.