11. CONCLUSIONS

11.1 Introduction

11.1.1 This EIA Report has provided an assessment of the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of a new offices-cum-vehicle depot building to accommodate the existing facilities in Sai Yee Street FEHD Vehicle Depot (the Depot), based on the design information available. The EIA has been conducted, in accordance with the EIA Study Brief No: ESB-245/2012 issued under the EIAO for this Project. The findings of this EIA study have determined the likely nature and extent of environmental impacts predicted to arise from the construction and operation of the Project. During the EIA process, environmental control measures were identified and incorporated into the planning and design of the Project to achieve the compliance with environmental legislation and standards during both the construction and operation phases. The Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedules are presented in Chapter 12 of this EIA Report. Details of individual environmental aspects are summarised below.

11.2 Air Quality Impact

11.2.1 There would be no major earthworks carried out for the site formation works for the Project site during construction phase. With the implementation of sufficient dust suppression measures as stipulated under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, adverse construction dust impact would not be anticipated.

11.2.2 For the operation of the Depot, no adverse air quality impacts would be anticipated as there would be limited vehicular emissions from the repairing and parking activities of the Project, considered with cumulative effect of emissions from open roads networks within the Study Area (500m from Project boundary). Results show that the predicted maximum 1-hour, daily and annual average NO₂ and maximum daily and annual average RSP concentrations at the representative ASRs and within the Study Area would comply with the AQOs. No mitigation measures are required.

11.2.3 Considering the fact that potential odour emission and minimal spread in the Depot to be localised only in the washing bays, together with the provision of mechanical ventilation adopting with proper installation and maintenance of deodourisation system, potential odour nuisance associated with the operation of the Depot is anticipated to be negligible.

11.3 Noise Impact

11.3.1 With the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures such as the use of QPME employed in the works, temporary noise barriers, noise jackets, mufflers, and limiting the number of plants operated concurrently, adverse construction noise impact is not anticipated. Despite any description or assessment made in this EIA report on construction noise aspects, the Noise Control Authority will take into account of contemporary conditions / situations of adjoining land uses and at the site before making his decision in granting a CNP for construction works within restricted hours as guided by the relevant Technical Memoranda issued under the NCO.

11.3.2 Concerning fixed plant noise during operation of the Project, with the implementation of the mitigation measures for both workshop vehicle repair activities and MVAC installation such as workshop vehicle repair activities to be carried out under the covered area to be operated during daytime and evening periods only and acoustic treatments, such as acoustic silencers, acoustic louvres to be applied to the MVAC installations in order to achieve the specified maximum allowable SWL, adverse impact to the NSRs due to the fixed plant noise would not be anticipated during operation phase.

11.3.3 For off-site traffic noise, based on the insignificant off-site traffic generation and routings for the Project development, the assessment results demonstrate that the operation of the FEHD Depot would introduce insignificant traffic noise impact on all representative NSRs for short-term and in the long run.

11.4 Water Quality Impact

11.4.1 Potential water pollution sources have been identified as construction site run-off, sewage from workforce, and potential risk of chemical spillage. Mitigation measures including the implementation of the construction site practices in accordance with the EPD’s ProPECC PN 1/94 Construction Site Drainage, provision and management of portable toilets on-site, and preventive measures to avoid accidental chemical spillages are recommended to mitigate any adverse water quality impacts, based on which adverse residual impacts would not be anticipated. Furthermore, there would be insignificant sewerage and sewage treatment implications during the operation of this Project, and adverse water quality impact would not be anticipated with the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures based on the findings of this EIA study.

11.5 Waste Management Implication and Land Contamination

11.5.1 Waste to be generated during construction phase has been examined in terms of quantity, type and nature etc. Opportunities for minimising waste generation via on-site sorting and reusing excavated fill materials are identified. Preventive measures have been recommended to implement during the construction phase to address any potential environmental impacts.

11.5.2 The waste streams that would be generated during the operation phase of the Project were also identified and evaluated. Measures to ensure proper treatment and disposal of these wastes have been made.

11.5.3 With regard to the historical land uses and current site condition, there was no sign of land contamination due to the past and current activities at the Site. For the future operation, as the Site will be paved and good practice for storage and handling of limited DGs, chemicals and chemical wastes will be followed, leakage of contaminants causing quantifiable adverse land contamination impacts would therefore not be anticipated.

11.5.4 Provided that the recommendations set out above are implemented, unacceptable environmental impacts would not be expected to arise from the handling, storage, transportation and disposal of wastes and chemicals during both the construction and operation of the Project.

11.6 Landscape and Visual Impacts

11.6.1 With the implementation of mitigation measures such as control of construction activities and temporary landscape treatment during construction phase, the proposed Depot will inevitably result in some landscape impact but no adverse visual impact during the construction phase. On the contrary, ground floor planting, vertical greening and roof gardens will be provided for the proposed Depot during operation phase. Both landscape and visual impact would become negligible in Year 10 when the mitigation measures are already established.

11.6.2 Comparing with the original setting of the Site before the proposed Project where undesirable and weedy species are located at the Site, the overall landscape character and visual quality of the Site would be improved, with the provision of landscape design including ground floor planting at pedestrian zone, vertical greening and roof gardens for the proposed Depot. The landscape and visual character of the Site have been complemented and therefore landscape and visual impact arising from the proposed Depot is considered as beneficial.