Three contractors who carried out construction works during restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am the next day or on a general holiday) last year and caused noise nuisance to the nearby residents were fined a total of $75,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (May 25) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
 
     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that in the first case, EPD staff conducted a surprise check in October 2016 at a road maintenance works site at Lei Yue Mun Road in Kwun Tong and found that a breaker was being used to break the road surface at night, violating the requirements of the construction noise permit (CNP) granted to it. The second case involved a construction site at Phase 7 of Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O. During a surprise check in October last year, EPD staff discovered that the site conducted hammering works and used a crane at night without a valid CNP. The third case involved a renovation site at Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei. EPD staff found during a surprise check in December last year that the workers of the site used an electric breaker at night without a valid CNP. The three construction sites were situated near residential buildings and the noise generated disturbed the rest of their surrounding neighbourhood.
 
     According to the NCO, anyone who uses powered mechanical equipment for construction works or carries out prescribed construction works (such as handling debris or hammering) in a designated area during restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am the next day or on a general holiday) shall apply for a CNP. The works shall commence only when the CNP has been granted upon completion of assessment to support that its noise level would comply with regulatory requirements. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.
 
     The spokesman reminded members of the construction sector that they should properly manage their works and strictly follow the requirements of the CNP as stipulated in the NCO. They should neither carry out works outside restricted hours without a CNP nor use powered mechanical equipment not specified in the CNP during restricted hours. They should also adopt practicable noise mitigation measures, including the erection of fences and noise barriers at the sites, to reduce the impact of noise to nearby residents as far as possible.

Ends/Thursday, May 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:38

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