Three renovation works contractors illegally used powered mechanical equipment when carrying out renovation works in shopping malls, causing a noise nuisance at late night. They were convicted and fined $16,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (August 15) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that the department has all along been concerned about the illegal renovation works carried out by works contractors at night. After receiving complaints in February this year, the EPD enforcement staff conducted investigations at Olympian City 2 and Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. They confirmed that the works contractors involved, namely Ping Kai Engineering Co., Limited, Luxahome Engineering Company Limited and Studio. id Interior Design Limited, used powered mechanical equipment, including an electric saw and a hand-held percussive breaker, to carry out renovation works in the two shopping malls during the small hours without a valid construction noise permit (CNP) and caused a noise nuisance. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD prosecuted the works contractors involved in accordance with the NCO.
The spokesman for the EPD explained that the NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest. Property management companies, shopping mall tenants and works contractors should arrange renovation works during the daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible to minimise noise disturbances to the public and nearby residents. If any works have to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), the works contractors should obtain a CNP from the EPD in advance, otherwise it constitutes an offence. Works contractors with this permit must also strictly comply with the requirements of the CNP. Only specified powered mechanical equipment can be used when carrying out the works and noise mitigation measures should be implemented including, for example, the erection of hoardings and barriers, and similar measures. Anyone that contravenes the NCO or the terms of CNP are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 for the first offence. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on subsequent convictions.
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