Three construction site contractors convicted for illegally carrying out works at night in Tseung Kwan O and Tsim Sha Tsui
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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received complaints from members of the public in mid-2017 against noise generated from the construction works carried out in the two construction sites during the restricted hours. The first case occurred at Lohas Park Phase 6. The contractor of the construction site did not have a valid Construction Noise Permit (CNP) for the works and illegally carried them out at night, which contravened the NCO. The other case involved the construction site of a shop at the K11 shopping arcade in Tsim Sha Tsui. Construction waste was handled at night without a valid CNP and the contractor and a sub-contractor thus violated the NCO. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the contractors and sub-contractor involved in accordance with the NCO.
The NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest and to minimise noise nuisance. An EPD spokesman stressed that construction contractors should schedule works for the daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible. If the construction work has to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), the contractor has to obtain prior approval from the EPD. The construction 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. Contractors must also implement noise mitigation measures to minimise noise nuisance as per the requirement of the CNP. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence. 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.
Ends/Thursday, January 18, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:00
Issued at HKT 18:00
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