Tables
Table 10.1:_ Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change on the Degree of
Impact Significance
Table 10.2:_ Review of
Existing Planning and Development Control Framework
Table 10.3: _ Sensitivity of LRs and LCA
Table 10.4:_ Summary of Tree Survey Recommendations
Table 10.5: _ Magnitude of Change of LRs and LCA
Table 10.6: _ Proposed Mitigation Measures during Carrying out of
the Project
Table 10.7:_ Proposed Mitigation Measures upon Completion of the
Project
Figures
Figure
10.1: Assessment Area for
Landscape Impact Assessment
Figure 10.2: Zoning in Outline Zoning Plan within
Landscape Assessment Area
Figure 10.3: Aerial View of Landscape Assessment
Area
Figure 10.4: Locations of Landscape Resources
Figure 10.5: Photos of Landscape Resources
Figure 10.6: Locations
of Landscape Character Areas
Figure 10.7: Photos of Landscape Character Areas
Figure 10.8: Proposed Landscape Mitigation Measures
Figure 10.9: Photomontages of Landscape Assessment
Areas
Appendices
Appendix
10.1: Tree Assessment Schedule
Appendix 10.2: Proposed Planters on Screen Hoarding
This Chapter assesses the likely landscape impacts of the proposed decontamination works and proposes strategic mitigation measures to alleviate the anticipated potential impacts. This includes the description of Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) as well as the corresponding impacts and recommended mitigation measures.
¡ Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap.499.S.16) - Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 10 and 18;
¡ Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note No. 8/2010;
¡ Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131);
¡ ETWB TCW No. 2/2004 - Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;
¡ DevB TCW No. 10/2013 - Tree Preservation;
¡ Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, particular Chapter 4, Chapter 8 and Chapter 11; and
¡ Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong.
As specified in Clause 3.4.10.2 of EIA Study Brief,
the study area for landscape impact assessment shall include all areas within
the Project site. The Landscape
Assessment Area is shown in Figure 10.1.
¡ Identification of the scope of works;
¡ Review of relevant planning and development control framework;
¡ Baseline study of LRs and LCAs;
¡ Identification of potential landscape impacts during the construction and operational phases;
¡ Recommendation on mitigation measures;
¡ Identification of cumulative impacts;
¡ Identification of residual impacts; and,
¡ Assessment on acceptability according to the criteria set out in Annex 10 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM).
The LIA makes reference to the EIAO GN No. 8/2010
“Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the EIAO” in
evaluating the significance of landscape impacts from the Project. Section 2 of this EIA
Report describes the details of the Project and the three Reprovisioning
Options. This Section assesses the landscape impacts that may arise from the
Project under the three Reprovisioning Options. The
methodology for the LIA is described in the following sub-sections.
A
review of the existing planning studies and documents has been undertaken to
gain an insight to the future outlook of the area affected so as to assess
whether the Project can fit into surrounding setting. The assessment does not
consider all of the areas zoned on the relevant OZP(s) but focuses on those
that may be directly affected by the proposed works. The study reviews the following information:
¡ Plan title/number;
¡ Land use zonings;
¡ Potential impacts and approximate area of
the land use zones to be affected by the Project;
¡ Design and conservation intention; and,
¡ Mitigation measures and future outlook of
the area.
Landscape impacts are quantified as much as possible to predict the magnitude and significance of impact arising from this Project and its associated works. Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) identified are numbered and assessed by a combination of desktop studies and site surveys. The difference between mitigated and unmitigated conditions is highlighted to demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed recommended mitigation measures. Landscape elements that are in consideration include:
¡ Local topography;
¡ Woodland extent and type;
¡ Other Vegetation types;
¡ Built form;
¡ Patterns of settlement;
¡ Land use;
¡ Scenic spots;
¡ Details of local materials, styles,
streetscapes, etc.;
¡ Prominent watercourses; and,
¡ Cultural and religious identity.
After identification of baseline LRs and LCAs, each
LR and LCA is analysed and evaluated by the following factors:
Sensitivity of landscape framework – To analyse
sensitivity a number of factors needs to be evaluated, including the following:
¡ the quality, maturity, condition and value
of landscape resources or character areas;
¡ importance and rarity of landscape resources
or character areas;
¡ whether the site is considered to be of
local, regional, national or global significance;
¡ any statutory or regulatory limitations or
requirements relating to the landscape resources or character areas on this
site; and,
¡ the ability of landscape resources and
character areas to accommodate change.
The above factors are considered and analysed
before each LR and LCA is classified into the following three categories:
¡ High: Landscape
resource or area has a distinctive character or is of high importance and
sensitive to relatively small changes.
¡ Medium: Landscape resource or area has a moderately
valued landscape character that is reasonably tolerant to change.
¡ Low: Landscape resource or area has a low-valued
landscape character that is highly tolerant to change.
Magnitude of change on landscape impact arising
from this Project – A number of factors
can influence the magnitude of change on landscape impact, as follows:
¡ duration of impact, i.e. whether it is
temporary or long-term;
¡ scale of impact;
¡ reversibility of change; and,
¡ compatibility of the Project and associated works with
existing and planned landscape.
The above factors are analysed and the
results of each LR and LCA are classified into four different categories, as
follows:
¡ Large: Landscape
resource or area will be subject to a major change.
¡ Intermediate: Landscape
resource or area will be subject to a moderate change.
¡ Small: Landscape
resource or area will be subject to a slight change.
¡ Negligible: Landscape
resource or area will be subject to no discernible change.
It
should be noted that the landscape assessment for carrying out of the Project
and upon completion of the Project is conducted separately due to the different
potential sources affecting the magnitude of change on landscape impacts.
Evaluation
of the sensitivity and magnitude of change on various LRs and LCAs is conducted
in a logical, reasonable and consistent manner for both carrying out of the
Project and upon completion of the Project.
Each LR and LCA is given a degree of impact significance depending on
the severity of sensitivity and magnitude.
Table 10.1 illustrates the underlying principle for each of the
four significance thresholds.
Table 10.1: Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change on the Degree of Impact Significance
|
Magnitude of Change |
Sensitivity |
||
|
Low |
Medium |
High |
|
|
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate /
Substantial |
Substantial |
|
Intermediate |
Slight /
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate /
Substantial |
|
Small |
Slight |
Slight /
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Negligible |
Insubstantial |
Insubstantial |
Insubstantial |
Note: Substantial
– Adverse / beneficial impact where the Project would cause significant
deterioration or improvement.
Moderate – Adverse / beneficial impact where the Project would cause noticeable
deterioration or improvement.
Slight – Adverse / beneficial impact where the Project would cause
barely noticeable deterioration or improvement.
Insubstantial – The Project would cause no discernible change.
In accordance
with Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 10/2013, all existing
trees with trunk diameter measuring 95mm or more at a height of 1.3m above
ground level were identified.
Every
tree surveyed individually is recorded with the following information:
¡ Species – botanical and Chinese names of
surveyed tree recorded
¡ Height – full height measured from ground
level to top branch in meters
¡ Crown spread – diameter of tree canopy in
meters
¡ Trunk diameter – diameter of main trunk measured
at a height of 1.3m above ground level
¡ Tree form – estimated according to canopy,
branch and trunk. This will be rated as
good, fair or poor.
¡ Amenity value – estimated according to
species, age, size health condition and tree form. This will be rated as high, medium or low.
¡ Health condition – estimated according to
foliage, exposed roots, branches and trunk.
This will be rated as good, fair or poor.
¡ Survival rate after transplanting –
Estimated according to condition of tree, size, maturity, species, access and
location. This will be rated as high,
medium or low.
¡ Special features – supplementary
special site features identified on site, as well as tree defects, physical
characteristics and ground conditions area recorded.
After identifying LRs and LCAs that require mitigation measures to
reduce the degree of impact, possible mitigation measures that can be
implemented for this Project and its associated works will be reviewed and
evaluated. Identification of potential
mitigation measures may include:
¡ Alternative design or revisions to basic
engineering or architecture design to prevent or minimise adverse impacts
¡ Remedial measures during and after carrying
out of the Project
¡ Compensatory measures for unavoidable
adverse impacts and attempt to generate beneficial long term impacts.
Recommended mitigation measures are evaluated for
comparison before adopting as a mitigation or compensatory measure. This is conducted through evaluating possible
mitigation measures by the degree of residual impact assessment to illustrate
mitigation effectiveness.
Residual impacts are evaluated by the sensitivity
and magnitude of change for landscape assessment after the implementation of
proposed mitigation measures. In accordance to Annex 10 of EIAO TM,
overall assessment of residual landscape and visual impacts for this Project is
placed into one of the following five thresholds.
¡ Beneficial – The project complements the landscape and
visual character of its setting and follows the relevant planning
objectives. It will improve overall
landscape or visual quality.
¡ Acceptable – There is no significant effects on
landscape or visual effects caused by this Project.
¡ Acceptable
with mitigation measures – There will be some adverse effects that
may be eliminated, reduced, or offset by specific mitigation measures.
¡ Unacceptable – The adverse effects are considered to be
excessive with implemented mitigation measures.
¡ Undetermined – Significant adverse effects are likely
but the extent of which they occur or may be mitigated cannot be determined
from this study. Further detailed study
may be required.
A review of the existing and planned development for the proposed works and for the surroundings has been undertaken. It aims in identifying issues with neighbouring planned land uses, identifying potential resources and sensitive receivers and ensuring a high compatibility between the proposed Project and the surroundings.
The assessment covers areas shown on the Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/H1/19 – Kennedy Town & Mount Davis. Zoning in this OZP is overlaid onto the Landscape Assessment Area and illustrated in Figure 10.2. A review on this OZP reveals that the part of the Project Area is within the land use type Open Space “O” while the remaining part is Undetermined “U”. The planning intention of the “O” zone is primarily for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/ or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents as well as the general public. The existing Cadogan Street Temporary Garden is within the “O” zone. Table 10.2 summarises the findings of the planning and development control review on areas within the boundary of the Project.
Table 10.2: Review of Existing Planning
and Development Control Framework
|
Land Use Zonings |
Landscape Planning, Design and Conservation
Intention of Zoning |
Potential Impacts |
Mitigation Measures and Future Outlook of the
Area with the Proposed Works |
|
Outline Zoning Plan
number S/H1/19 – Kennedy Town & Mount Davis (Figure 10.2) |
|||
|
1.
Open
Space “O” |
This zone
encompasses the existing Cadogan Street Temporary
Garden. This zone is
primarily intended for the provision of outdoor open-air space for active
and/ or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents and
the general public. |
All trees within
this zone will be felled and all shrub planting,
turfed areas and sitting-out areas will be removed for all three Reprovisioning Options. |
Felled trees will be compensated with a minimum ratio of 1:1 in terms
of quantity by tree planting in the proposed future waterfront promenade (by
others). For Reprovisioning
Option A, the future waterfront promenade will be provided by others before
the existing Cadogan Street Temporary Garden is
demolished; temporary refuse collection point and temporary public car park
will also be reprovisioned on-site by others with
the remaining parts of the site leaving at original ground level for future
development; for Reprovisioning Option B, temporary
refuse collection point and temporary public car park will be reprovisioned on-site by others with the remaining parts
of the site leaving at original ground level for future development; for Reprovisioning Option C, the completion of the Project
will end up with the entire site at original ground level for future
development. Proposed mitigations
measures are listed in Tables 10.6 and 10.7. |
|
2.
Undetermined
“U” |
This zone
encompasses the entire Project site except the exiting Cadogan
Street Temporary Garden. This zone is intended
to denote areas where further detailed planning study is required to identify
the future uses of the land. |
Roadside trees will
be felled during the carrying out of the Project for all three Reprovisioning Options. |
Future development upon completion of the proposed decontamination
works at the Project site is not yet confirmed. However, all proposed
development within the “U” zone requires planning permission from the Town
Planning Board. This will ensure that
any interim development will not pre-empt the recommendations of the land use
review. The proposed decontamination
works is therefore not in conflict with the planning intention of this zone. |
An aerial photo showing the extent of the Landscape Assessment Area is shown in Figure 10.3.
Landscape Resources (LRs)
Two LRs have been identified. They are mapped on Figure 10.4 and photos of the LRs are illustrated in Figure 10.5.
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
This LR is approximately 0.580ha in size. It is a landscaped urban open space for recreational purpose. There are approximately 180 nos. of trees within this LR. Dominant tree species include Ficus microcarpa, Livistona chinensis and Terminalia catappa. Tree height ranges from 3 to 14 m and the amenity value of the trees ranges from low to medium. Shrub planting in this LR include common landscape species such as Aglaia odorata, Calliandra haematocephala, Ficus microcarpa ‘Golden Leaves’, Ixora chinensis, Ligustrum sinense and Murraya paniculata. Turfed areas and sitting-out areas are also present within this LR. Though this type of resource is locally common, it is well maintained. The amenity value and sensitivity for this resource are therefore considered to be high.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
This LR is approximately 0.017ha in size. It comprises approximately 16 trees growing on roadside or in the periphery of the existing public car park and bus depot. Trees in this LR include Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Morus alba, with height ranges from 4 to 10 m and crown spread from 2 to 16 m. Though this type of LR is locally common, the amenity value and sensitivity of this LR are considered to be high due to the high amenity value of the mature trees.
Landscape Character Area (LCA)
One LCA has been identified within the Assessment Area. The LCA is mapped and illustrated on Figure 10.6. Photos of this LCA are shown in Figure 10.7.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
This LCA is approximately 3.15ha in size. It comprises urban developed areas with various temporary land uses and a temporary garden with tree planting, shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas. Roadside vegetation is also found within this LCA. All the temporary facilities will be cleared by others and the bare land with scattered trees will be handed over to CEDD for decontamination works. The sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be medium.
Table 10.3 below summarises the sensitivity of all LRs
and LCA at the Project site.
Table 10.3: Sensitivity of LRs and LCA
|
ID No. |
Name |
Quality of Existing Landscape (Low, Medium, High) |
Importance / Rarity of Landscape Elements (Low, Medium, High) |
Ability to Accommodate Change (Low, Medium, High) |
Maturity of Landscape
(Young-Semi-mature-Mature) |
Significance of Change in Local Context (Low, Medium, High) |
Significance of Change in Regional Context (Low, Medium, High) |
Sensitivity (Low, Medium,
High) |
|
LR1 |
Cadogan Street Temporary Garden |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Semi-mature |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|
LR2 |
Roadside Vegetation |
High |
Medium |
Low |
Mature |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|
LCA1 |
Urban Developed Area |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Semi-mature |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
A survey of existing trees within the Project Area was conducted between December 2012 and January 2013. The findings of the tree survey are summarised in Appendix 10.1.
Existing
Trees
The
survey identified a total number of 196 trees within the proposed works
boundary. The dominant tree species are
mainly common ornamental trees, composed of both exotic and native species. These trees include Ficus microcarpa, Livistona chinensis, Terminalia catappa, Hibiscus tiliaceus and Syagrus romanzoffiana.
There is no registered OVT within the Landscape Assessment Area.
Four individuals of Aquilaria sinensis were recorded during the tree survey in Cadogan Street Temporary Garden. This species is scheduled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), which aims to control the import/export of the scheduled species. Aquilaria sinensis is common in Hong Kong and is not listed under the Forestry Regulations of the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96A).
Ailanthus fordii, which is a species listed under the Forestry Regulations of the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96A), was found in Cadogan Street Temporary Garden during the tree survey. In total, two individuals were recorded. Although A. fordii is listed under Cap. 96A, it is often planted in urban landscaped areas as ornamental trees. Also, as Cap. 96A does not apply to “plants grown outside Hong Kong or on any land held from the Government under a lease, licence or permit or by virtue of an Ordinance”, the two individuals of A. fordii in Cadogan Street Temporary Garden, which are on allocated government land, are therefore not protected under Cap. 96A.
Recommended
Treatment of Existing Trees
The recommended treatments for the existing trees, which are the same for all three Reprovisioning Options, are as follows:
¡ Tree Retention: Contaminated soil is found all over the entire Project Area. All identified trees are either adhering to the disused structures or with roots in contaminated soil. On-site tree preservation is infeasible because it necessitates on-site retention of contaminated soil (which contains heavy metals and hydrocarbons) and defeats the purpose of the proposed decontamination works. Therefore, none of the identified trees is proposed to be retained in their current locations.
¡ Tree Transplantation: All trees in conflict with the proposed works are not suitable to be transplanted as the soil in the rootball is contaminated with heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Tree transplantation will translocate these contaminants to the soil at the recipient locations, thereby contaminating the recipient site. Decontamination of the tree rootball by “washing” off the contaminated soil before transplanting the trees to their recipient locations is also impracticable because of several reasons. First, by washing off all the soil in the rootball, all the micro-organisms associated with the tree roots will be washed away. This will have a serious adverse impact on tree health and substantially reduce the post-transplantation survival rate of the trees. Second, washing off the soil from the tree roots will not only remove the beneficial micro-organisms associated with the tree roots, but also interrupt the plant hormone secretion of the trees, thereby causing additional impact on tree health. Third, as preparation for transplantation, root pruning operation is necessary. Physical injury and loss of fine roots (which is crucial to water and nutrient absorption) will be unavoidable. Washing off the soil from the pruned rootball will cause further injury to the tree roots, particularly the fine roots, and largely increase the risk of fungal infection. The survival rate of the trees after such operations is therefore expected to be extremely low. Therefore, no tree transplantation is proposed.
¡ Tree Felling: 196 trees identified within or in close proximity to the proposed Project Area are recommended to be felled for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works since both on-site retention and transplantation are infeasible. The aggregated DBH of these 196 trees is 43,737 mm.
¡ Tree Removal: No dead or weedy tree is identified, and therefore no tree is proposed to be removed.
The
findings and recommendation of the tree survey are subject to the formal tree
removal application to be submitted to relevant government departments for
approval. Tree findings and
recommendation of their treatment are summarised in Table 10.4.
Table 10.4: Summary of Tree Survey Recommendations
|
Botanical Name |
Chinese Name |
Fell |
Remove |
Retain |
Transplant |
Quantity |
|
Acacia auriculiformis |
耳果相思 |
9 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Acacia confusa |
台灣相思 |
5 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Ailanthus fordii |
福氏臭椿 |
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Aleurites moluccana |
石栗 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Aquilaria sinensis |
牙香樹 |
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Bauhinia spp. |
羊蹄甲屬 |
11 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Broussonetia papyrifera |
構樹 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Carica papaya |
番木瓜 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Caryota mitis |
短穗魚尾葵 |
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Celtis sinensis |
朴樹 |
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Dracontomelon duperreanum |
人面子 |
9 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Erythrina indica 'Picta' |
花葉刺桐 |
12 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Erythrina spp. |
刺桐 |
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Ficus benjamina |
垂葉榕 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Ficus microcarpa |
細葉榕 |
32 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
Ficus subpisocarpa |
筆管榕 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Hibiscus tiliaceus |
黃槿 |
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Livistona chinensis |
蒲葵 |
27 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
Lophostemon confertus |
紅膠木 |
7 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Macaranga tanarius |
血桐 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Michelia alba |
白蘭 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Morus alba |
桑 |
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Pterocarpus indicus |
紫檀 |
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Schefflera actinophylla |
傘樹 |
11 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Syagrus romanzoffiana |
皇后葵 |
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Terminalia catappa |
欖仁樹 |
19 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Dead |
枯樹 |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Total |
|
196 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
196 |
During the carrying out of the Project, sources of potential landscape impacts would arise from the following:
¡ Excavation, lateral support works, backfilling and site formation works;
¡ Biopiling, and
¡ Construction of surface drainage system.
All LRs and LCA will be affected by the proposed works. The magnitude of change to each of the LRs and LCA under the three Reprovisioning Options as described in Section 2 are identified below:
Reprovisioning Option A
LR1 – Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All 180 trees within this LR will be felled in 0.580ha due to site clearance. All shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will also be removed. The magnitude of change is considered large.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees, including some mature ones, will need to be felled in this LR (0.017ha) in phases for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works. The magnitude of change is considered large.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
All 196 trees within this LCA (3.15ha) will be felled in phases. All shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will also be removed. The overall landscape character of the area as an urban developed area will remain unchanged, but the existing open spaces will be lost. The magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
Reprovisioning Option B
LR1 – Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All 180 trees within this LR will be felled in 0.580ha due to site clearance. All shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will also be removed. The magnitude of change is considered large.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees, including some mature ones, will need to be felled in this LR (0.017ha) in phases for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works. The magnitude of change is considered large.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
All 196 trees within this LCA (3.15ha) will be felled in phases. All shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will also be removed. Given that this LCA is dominated by urban development with paved ground and the loss of trees, shrubs, turfed areas and sitting-out areas does not alter the general landscape character of the urban developed area, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
Reprovisioning
Option C
LR1 – Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All 180 trees within this LR will be felled in 0.580ha due to site clearance. All shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will also be removed. The magnitude of change is considered large.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees, including some mature ones, will need to be felled in this LR (0.017ha) for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works. The magnitude of change is considered large.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
All 196 trees within this LCA (3.15ha) will be felled. All shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will also be removed. Given that this LCA is dominated by urban development with paved ground and the loss of trees, shrubs, turfed areas and sitting-out areas does not alter the general landscape character of the urban developed area, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
The magnitude of change for each LRs and LCA is illustrated in Table 10.5.
Table 10.5: Magnitude of Change of LRs and LCA
|
ID No. |
Name |
Reprovisioning Option |
Scale of Works (Negligible, Small, Medium, Large) |
Reversibility (Reversible, Irreversible) |
Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Low, Medium, High) |
Duration of Impacts (Short, Medium, Long) |
Magnitude of Change (Negligible, Small, Intermediate, Large) |
|
LR1 |
Cadogan Street Temporary Garden |
A |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Large |
|
B |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Large |
||
|
C |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Large |
||
|
LR2 |
Roadside Vegetation |
A |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Large |
|
B |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Large |
||
|
C |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Large |
||
|
LCA1 |
Urban Developed Area |
A |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Intermediate |
|
B |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Intermediate |
||
|
C |
Large |
Irreversible |
Low |
Long |
Intermediate |
The degrees of impact significance to each of the LRs and LCA without mitigation measures under the three Reprovisioning Options are derived from their sensitivities as shown in Table 10.3 and the corresponding magnitude of change as shown in Table 10.5 in accordance with the underlying principle as illustrated in Table 10.1. They are summarized in Table 10.8.
Potential landscape impacts have been carefully considered
during the development of project design to achieve the following:
¡ Avoid impacts on important landscape resources;
¡ Lessen unavoidable impacts by location, design and reducing the extent of works; and
¡ Enhancement of existing landscape resource.
Recommended landscape mitigation measures for impacts during the carrying out of the Project and upon completion of the Project, which are applicable to all three Reprovisioning Options, are summarised in Tables 10.6 and 10.7. The mitigation measures during the carrying out of the Project listed below shall be adopted from the commencement of proposed works and throughout the entire period during the carrying out of the Project.
Figure 10.8 shows all the proposed mitigation measures and Figure 10.9 shows the existing site condition, the photomontage of the site on Day 1 upon completion of the Project without the proposed mitigation measures, and the site on Day 1 upon completion of the Project with mitigation for Reprovisioning Option A.
Since the proposed mitigation measures as shown in Table 10.7 will be developed at a later stage and are not expected to be implemented on Day 1 upon completion of the Project for Reprovisioning Options B and C, photomontages of the site on Day 1 with mitigation measures are not provided for Reprovisioning Options B and C.
Table 10.6: Proposed Mitigation Measures during Carrying out of the Project
|
Mitigation Code |
Mitigation Measure |
|
CP1 |
Landscape planting around the Works Areas - Landscape planting should be considered to be placed along the screen hoarding where space is available and feasible, and properly maintained during the carrying out of the Project in order to partially screen and soften the hard structure of the screen hoarding. Species with high tolerance to wind, sun and salt, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae, Lantana montevidensis, Melastoma dodecandrum, Rusellia equisetiformis and Wedelia trilobata, should be used for such planting. Proposed planters on screen hoarding is shown in Appendix 10.2. |
Table 10.7: Proposed
Mitigation Measures upon Completion of the Project
|
Mitigation Code |
Mitigation Measure |
|
OP1 |
Compensatory tree planting – Compensatory tree planting in the proposed future waterfront promenade will be implemented for all three Reprovisioning Options, so that the felled trees as described in Section 10.6.2 will be compensated with a minimum ratio of 1:1 in terms of quantity by tree planting in accordance with DevB TC(Works) No. 10/2013. Since a total of 196 nos. of trees are proposed to be felled for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works, at least 196 nos. of trees will be required to fully compensate for the lost trees in terms of quantity. An Environmental Permit condition requiring the submission of a landscape plan showing the design of the waterfront promenade and details of the tree compensatory proposal to EPD will be included to ensure the implementation of this mitigation measure. |
For Reprovisioning
Option A, OP1 will be implemented before removal of the existing Cadogan Street Temporary Garden, so that a public open
space with greening will be maintained during the carrying out of the Project;
for Reprovisioning Options B and C, OP1 will be
implemented after the completion of the proposed decontamination works.
Therefore, the future waterfront promenade is not expected to have been
provided by Day 1 upon completion of the Project. However, it is expected that
the future waterfront promenade will have been provided by Year 10 upon
completion of the Project.
The potential impacts to each of the LRs and LCAs with mitigation measures during the carrying out of the Project under the three Reprovisioning Options are identified below:
Reprovisioning Option A
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All 180 trees within this LR will be felled after the compensatory trees are provided in the proposed future waterfront promenade. Also, all shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will be removed after similar landscape elements are provided in the future waterfront promenade. Therefore, a temporary garden with greening or the proposed future waterfront promenade will be maintained throughout the carrying out of the Project, although the planting in the proposed future waterfront promenade will be small and young compared to the 180 trees to be felled. Furthermore, by provision of landscape planting (CP1), this LR will receive a slight negative landscape impact.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees, including some mature ones, will be felled. By provision of landscape planting (CP1) as a greening measure, this LR will receive a moderate negative landscape impact.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
All 196 trees within this LCA will be felled. 180 trees in the existing Cadogan Street Temporary Garden will not be felled until the compensatory trees are provided in the proposed future waterfront promenade. Also, all shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will not be removed before similar landscape elements are provided in the future waterfront promenade. Therefore, a temporary garden or proposed future waterfront promenade with greening will be maintained throughout the carrying out of the Project, although the planting in the proposed future waterfront promenade will be small and young compared to the 196 trees to be felled. Furthermore, by provision of landscape planting (CP1), this LCA will receive a slight negative landscape impact during carrying out of the Project.
Reprovisioning Option B
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All 180 trees within this LR will be felled in phases. Also, all shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will be removed. By provision of landscape planting (CP1), this LR will still receive a substantial negative landscape impact.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees, including some mature ones, will be felled in phases. By provision of landscape planting (CP1) as a greening measure, this LR will receive a moderate negative landscape impact.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
All 196 trees within this LCA will be felled in phases. Also, all shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will be removed. By provision of landscape planting (CP1), this LCA will receive a moderate negative landscape impact.
Reprovisioning Option C
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All 180 trees within this LR will be felled. Also, all shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will be removed. By provision of landscape planting (CP1), this LR will still receive a substantial negative landscape impact.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees, including some mature ones, will be felled. By provision of landscape planting (CP1) as a greening measure, this LR will receive a moderate negative landscape impact.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
All 196 trees within this LCA will be felled. Also, all shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas will be removed. By provision of landscape planting (CP1), this LCA will receive a moderate negative landscape impact.
The potential impacts to each of the LRs and LCA with mitigation measures at Day 1 upon completion of the Project under the three Reprovisioning Options are identified below:
Reprovisioning Option A
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All
180 trees, together with the shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out
areas, within the existing Cadogan Street Temporary
Garden will have been felled / removed for the implementation of the proposed
decontamination works, while compensatory tree planting and other landscape
elements will have been provided in a temporary garden or the future waterfront
promenade. With compensatory tree
planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade which are young, the
landscape impact on this LR will be
slight negative.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees will have been felled for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works. With compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade which are young, the landscape impact on this LR will be moderate negative.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
The overall landscape character of this LCA as an urban developed area will remain unchanged, but the existing trees therein will have been felled and the shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas removed. Compensatory tree planting and other landscape elements will have been provided. With compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade which are young, this LCA will receive a slight negative landscape impact.
Reprovisioning Option B
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All
180 trees, together with the shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out
areas, within the existing Cadogan Street Temporary
Garden will have been felled / removed in phases for the implementation of the
proposed decontamination works. With
compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade to
be provided at a later stage, the landscape impact on this LR will be substantial negative.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees will have been felled in phases for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works. With compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade to be provided at a later stage, the landscape impact on this LR will be moderate negative.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
The overall landscape character of this LCA as an urban developed area will remain unchanged, but the existing trees therein will have been felled and the shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas removed. With compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade to be provided at a later stage, the landscape impact on this LR will be moderate negative.
Reprovisioning Option C
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
All
180 trees, together with the shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out
areas, within the existing Cadogan Street Temporary
Garden will have been felled / removed for the implementation of the proposed
decontamination works, leaving the site at original ground level. With compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the
proposed future waterfront promenade to be provided at a later stage, the
landscape impact on this LR will be
substantial negative.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
All 16 trees will have been felled for the implementation of the proposed decontamination works, leaving the site at original ground level. With compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade to be provided at a later stage, the landscape impact on this LR will be moderate negative.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
The overall landscape character of this LCA as an urban developed area will remain unchanged, but the existing trees therein will have been felled and the shrub planting, turfed areas and sitting-out areas removed. With compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade to be provided at a later stage, the landscape impact on this LR will be moderate negative.
The potential impacts to each of the LRs and LCA with mitigation measures at Year 10 upon completion of the Project under the three Reprovisioning Options are identified below:
Reprovisioning Option A
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
By year 10 following completion of the Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade is expected to have already reached a size that could largely compensate for the loss of the felled trees in this LR. The landscape impact on this LR will therefore be insubstantial in year 10 following completion of the Project.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
By year 10 following completion of the Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade is expected to have already reached a size that could largely compensate for the loss of the felled trees in this LR. The landscape impact on this LR will therefore be slight negative in year 10 following completion of the Project.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
By year 10 following completion of the Project,
compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade
will have already reached a size that could largely compensate for the loss of
the felled trees in this LCA. The landscape
impact on this LCA will therefore be
insubstantial in year 10 following completion of the Project.
Reprovisioning Option B
LR1 – Cadogan
Street Temporary Garden
By year 10 following completion of the
Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront
promenade are expected to have already been provided and have reached a size
that could largely compensate for the loss of the felled trees in this LR. The landscape impact on this LR will
therefore be slight negative.
LR2 – Roadside Vegetation
By year 10 following completion of the
Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront
promenade are expected to have been provided and have already reached a size
that could largely compensate for the loss of the felled trees in this LR. The landscape impact on this LR will
therefore be slight negative.
LCA1 – Urban Developed Area
By year 10 following completion of the
Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront
promenade will have been provided and have already reached a size that could
largely compensate for the loss of the felled trees in this LCA. The landscape impact on this LCA will
therefore be slight negative in year
10 following completion of the Project.
Reprovisioning Option C
LR1
– Cadogan Street Temporary Garden
By year 10 following completion of the Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade are expected to have been provided and have already reached a size that could largely compensate for the loss of the felled trees in this LR. The landscape impact on this LR will therefore be slight negative.
LR2
– Roadside Vegetation
By year 10 following completion of the Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1) in the proposed future waterfront promenade are expected to have been provided and have already reached a size that could largely compensate for the loss of the felled trees in this LR. The landscape impact on this LR will therefore be slight negative.
LCA1
– Urban Developed Area
By
year 10 following completion of the Project, compensatory tree planting (OP1)
in the proposed future waterfront promenade will have been provided and have
already reached a size that could largely compensate for the loss of the felled
trees in this LCA. The landscape impact
on this LCA will therefore be slight
negative in year 10 following completion of the Project.
The impact significance thresholds for all LRs and LCA are shown in Table 10.8.
Table 10.8: Significance Threshold of Landscape Impacts during Carrying out and Upon Completion of the Project
|
Id No. |
Name |
Sensitivity
(Low, Medium, High) |
Reprovisioning Option |
Magnitude
of Change during Carrying out of the Project (Negligible, Small,
Intermediate, Large) |
Significance
Threshold (unmitigated) |
Mitigation
Measures |
Significance
Threshold (mitigated) |
|||
|
During
Carrying out of the Project (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate, Substantial) |
Upon
Completion of the Project (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate, Substantial) |
During Carrying
out of the Project (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate, Substantial) |
Day 1
upon Completion of the Project (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate,
Substantial) |
Year 10
upon Completion of the Project (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate,
Substantial) |
||||||
|
LR1 |
Cadogan Street Temporary Garden |
High |
A |
Large |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
CP1, OP1 |
Slight negative |
Slight negative |
Insubstantial |
|
B |
Large |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Slight negative |
||||
|
C |
Large |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Slight negative |
||||
|
LR2 |
Roadside Vegetation |
High |
A |
Large |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
CP1, OP1 |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Slight negative |
|
B |
Large |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Slight negative |
||||
|
C |
Large |
Substantial negative |
Substantial negative |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Slight negative |
||||
|
LCA1 |
Urban Developed Area |
Medium |
A |
Intermediate |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
CP1, OP1 |
Slight negative |
Slight negative |
Insubstantial |
|
B |
Intermediate |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Slight negative |
||||
|
C |
Intermediate |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Moderate negative |
Slight negative |
||||
Potential concurrent and interfacing
projects were identified in Section
2
and shown in Figure
2.4. The following is the
assessment of potential cumulative landscape impacts of the identified
projects.
Residential
Development at the Ka Wai Man Road and Ex-Mount Davis Cottage Area
Demolition works are currently underway. It
is tentatively assumed that the public housing development would have
population intake starting from 2021.
This residential development will be a
concurrent project. However, given that
this site is distinctly separated from the landscape assessment area of this
Project as shown in Figure
2.4, and this residential
development involves demolition and redevelopment works which does not change
the landscape character of the area, minor cumulative landscape impact is
expected during the carrying out of the Project due to removal of vegetation
within this residential development site and no cumulative impact is expected
upon completion of the Project.
Reprovisioning of Kennedy Town Saltwater Pumping Station
As shown in Figure
2.4, the proposed site of
the reprovisioned Kennedy Town Saltwater Pumping
Station is approximately 300 m from the landscape assessment area of this
Project where it is currently used as a sitting-out area in Kennedy Town
Temporary Recreation Ground with several trees.
Information regarding the development programme or construction methods
for the reprovisioning works is not currently
available.
Under the worst case scenario, this project
will be a concurrent project and the trees within the proposed site will be removed. In this case, cumulative landscape impact is
expected to be minor both during the carrying out of the Project and upon
completion of the Project due to the loss of several trees.
Development
within the Kennedy Town CDA Site
The development site is within the landscape
assessment area of this Project as shown in Figure
2.4. Information regarding the nature, scale and
timing of this development is not available at present.
It is conservatively assumed that this
potential development will be a concurrent project throughout the entire
duration of the Stage 2 of decontamination works of this Project under Reprovisioning Option A.
Since the development site will be a decontaminated area with no
landscape resource, cumulative impact is not expected both during the carrying
out of the Project and upon completion of the Project.
The implementation of the landscape impact
mitigation measures proposed in Table 10.6
should be checked as part of the EM&A procedures during the carrying out of
the Project as presented in the standalone EM&A Manual.
Summary
of Landscape Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures during carrying out of the Project comprise
of the following (Described in detail in Table
10.6):
¡ CP1 – Landscape planting along the screen hoarding to soften the hard structure of the screen hoarding.
Mitigation measures upon completion of the Project comprise of the
following (Described in detail in Table 10.7):
¡ OP1 – Compensatory tree planting with a
minimum ratio of 1:1 in terms of quantity.
Summary of Predicted Residual
Landscape Impacts
Reprovisioning Option A
LR1 and LCA1 will receive a slight
negative impact while LR2 will receive a moderate negative impact during the carrying out of the Project
with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option B
LR2 and LCA1 will receive a moderate
negative impact while LR1 will receive a substantial negative impact during the carrying out of the Project
with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option C
LR2 and LCA1 will receive a moderate
negative impact while LR1 will receive a substantial negative impact during the carrying out of the Project
with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option A
LR1 and LCA1 will receive a slight
negative impact while LR2 will receive a moderate negative impact on day 1 upon completion of the Project
with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option B
LR2 and LCA1 will receive a moderate
negative impact while LR1 will receive a substantial negative impact on day 1 upon completion of the Project
with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option C
LR2 and LCA1 will receive a moderate
negative impact while LR1 will receive a substantial negative impact on day 1 upon completion of the Project
with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option A
LR1 and LCA1 will receive an insubstantial
impact while LR2 will receive a slight
negative impact in year 10 following completion of the Project with the
implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option B
All LRs and LCA will receive a slight
negative impact in year 10 following completion of the Project with the
implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
Reprovisioning Option C
All LRs and LCA will receive a slight
negative impact in year 10 following completion of the Project with the
implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
With the implementation
of proposed mitigation measures, the anticipated landscape impacts are
generally slight negative under Reprovisioning Option
A, and moderate negative under Reprovisioning Options
B and C during the carrying out of the Project due to the unavoidable removal
of the existing Cadogan Street Temporary Garden (LR1)
and removal of roadside vegetation (LR2) for the proposed decontamination
works. However, the predicted impact
will be temporary. Compensatory tree
planting with a minimum ratio of 1:1 in terms of quantity will be provided in
the proposed future waterfront promenade.
The Project site after decontamination will be handed over to Lands
Department for future development with potential overall landscape
improvement. The overall residual landscape
impact in year 10 following completion of the Project is therefore considered
to be insubstantial under Reprovisioning Option A
when compensatory tree planting in the proposed future waterfront promenade is
expected to have already reached a size that could largely compensate for the
loss of the felled trees, and slight negative under Reprovisioning
Options B and C when compensatory tree planting in the proposed future
waterfront promenade will have become mature.
Overall, in terms of Annex 10, Clause 1.1 (c) of the EIAO – TM, the
landscape impacts are acceptable with mitigation measures.