Contractor of construction site in Tseung Kwan O convicted of contravening Noise Control Ordinance

     Aggressive Construction Company Limited, the contractor of a construction site at Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O, was convicted and fined $25,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (August 1) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) as a result of illegally carrying out works on a holiday that were not allowed in accordance with a construction noise permit (CNP).

     In December last year, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a member of the public that works were carried out at a construction site at Lohas Park in Tseung Kwan O on a holiday, making noise and causing a nuisance to nearby residents. During a blitz operation conducted by the EPD, officers discovered that the demolition of formwork and other relevant works were carried out at the construction site on a Sunday, generating noise from hammering and causing a nuisance to nearby residents. The above-mentioned noisy works were not allowed by the CNP for the construction site. The EPD revoked the permit for the construction site immediately and prosecuted the contractor of the construction site under the NCO.

     The NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest. The EPD spokesman stressed that building contractors should arrange for construction works to be carried out during daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible to minimise disturbance to nearby residents. If building contractors have to carry out prescribed construction works (such as erection or dismantling of formwork or scaffolding; construction works involving loading, unloading or handling of building materials, such as rubble, wooden boards, steel bars, wood or scaffolding; or hammering) or use powered mechanical equipment during restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), they must obtain a permit from the EPD in advance. When carrying out works, building contractors should only carry out approved works or use specified powered mechanical equipment with noise mitigation measures in place within the periods specified in a CNP. Otherwise it constitutes an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on first conviction. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on a second or subsequent conviction.