For discussion PWSC(96-97)23
on 26 June 1996
ITEM FOR PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE
OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
HEAD 704 - DRAINAGE
Civil Engineering - Drainage and erosion protection
77CD - Feasibility study for provision of decking to existing open nulllahs
Members are invited to recommend to Finance Committee the upgrading of 77CD to Category A, entitled "Feasibility study for nullah decking and associated environmental improvements", at an estimated cost of $27 million in money-of-the-day prices.
Polluted nullahs are causing environmental and aesthetic problems.
2. The Director of Drainage Services (DDS), with the support of the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, proposes to upgrade 77CD to Category A at an estimated cost of $27 million in money-of-the-day (MOD) prices for appointing consultants to carry out a feasibility study for nullah decking and associated environmental improvements.
3. The scope of the project activities comprises the study of 31 nullahs listed at Enclosure I and includes the following -
- to review existing drainage records and current redevelopment proposals of nullahs to ascertain the extent of the necessary decking;
- to conduct specialist investigations including topographic surveys, structural condition surveys, flow surveys, pollution monitoring surveys and air quality surveys;
- to study the effects of nullah decking on land use, maintenance, hydraulic capacity, safety and the environment;
- to carry out environmental and traffic reviews;
- to recommend uses of surface space of the decked nullahs;
- to recommend aesthetic treatment and landscaping works and measures to reduce the accumulation of silt and refuse; and
- to develop proposals and recommendations, including outline designs, cost estimates and a prioritised programme to enable further detailed design to proceed.
4. Open nullahs in the territory have received little modern landscaping treatment and are often visually unattractive and discordant with a modern urban environment. With rapid development in the urbanised areas, many nullahs are now situated close to densely populated areas.
5. In some districts the open nullahs have been used for the dumping of rubbish and sewage and have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. We have received frequent complaints about their sanitary conditions and the emission of foul odours. We have introduced interim measures to reduce the pollution and odours emitted from stormwater drains. These include enforcing anti-pollution legislation, improving sewerage works and rectifying expedient connections.
6. DDS has received intermittent requests from some District Boards and members of the public to cover some of the open nullahs with decking to reduce the environmental nuisance. Some of these nullahs, if decked, would provide useful space for road widening and recreational facilities. The DDS has carried out a preliminary study on 52 open nullahs and identified 31 nullahs suitable for further study. In choosing nullahs for further study, DDS has taken account of their location and size, any environmental nuisance generated, frequency of complaints, whether they have artificial banks and their potential to provide useful deck space and aesthetic improvement. The 21 nullahs which are not included in the study are listed at Enclosure II.
7. In view of the shortage of in-house staff resources and technical expertise, the DDS proposes to engage consultants to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study.
8. We estimate the cost of the proposed study to be $27 million in MOD prices, made up as follows -
|
|
$ million
|
|
|
(a) Specialist investigations
|
|
7.7
|
|
|
(i) engineering surveys including topographical survey, structural condition survey and flow survey
|
4.6
|
|
|
|
(ii) environmental surveys including pollution monitoring survey and air quality survey
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
(b) Consultants' fees for
|
|
11.2
|
|
|
(i) data collection and review
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
(ii) supervision of specialist investigations
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
(iii) modelling of flows and pollution levels
|
3.4
|
|
|
|
(iv) carrying out environmental and traffic reviews
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
(v) recommending uses, aesthetic treatment, landscaping works, and silt reduction measures
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
(vi) developing proposals and recommendations with outline designs, cost estimates and a prioritised implementation programme
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
(c) Consultants' reimbursable expenses (including production of reports, drawings, video and display materials)
|
|
1.0
|
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|
(d) Contingencies
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2.0
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|
|
|
|
____
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Sub-total
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21.9
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(at December
1995 prices)
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(e) Inflation allowance
|
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5.1
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|
|
|
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____
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Total
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27.0
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(in MOD prices)
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A breakdown by man months of the estimate for the consultants' fees is at Enclosure III.
9. Subject to approval, we will phase expenditure as follows -
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Year
|
$ million
(Dec 1995)
|
Price
adjustment
factor
|
$ million
(MOD)
|
|
1996 - 97
|
4.4
|
1.07500
|
4.7
|
|
1997 - 98 |
8.7
|
1.18250
|
10.3
|
|
1998 - 99
|
4.4
|
1.30075
|
5.7
|
|
1999 - 00
|
4.4
|
1.43083
|
6.3
|
|
21.9
|
|
27.0
|
10. We have derived the MOD estimates on the basis of the Government's forecasts of trend labour and construction prices for the period 1996 to 2000. We will tender the consultancy as a lump-sum contract with provision for inflation adjustment as the contract period exceeds 12 months.
11. The proposed consultancy will not give rise to any recurrent expenditure.
12. We consider public consultation unnecessary at this stage as this is a feasibility study.
13. The proposed consultancy will not have any environmental implications. As part of the feasibility study, the consultants will conduct an Environmental Review on all recommendations and identify issues that need to be further investigated by an Environmental Impact Assessment during the subsequent planning/design stage.
14. The study does not require land acquisition.
15. Hong Kong's nullahs form part of a very old stormwater drainage system. Many of them are polluted. The public has complained about the various environmental nuisances caused by the nullahs. DDS wishes to conduct the proposed study to improve the environment and to provide additional space for beneficial use.
16. We upgraded 77CD to Category B in September 1995.
17. 77CD is scheduled to commence in July 1996 for completion in January 1999. We will implement the proposed study in two stages. The draft final report for stage I will cover the first 20 nullahs in Enclosure I and will be available after 16 months. The report for stage II covering the remaining nullahs in Enclosure I will be available after 28 months. We will then begin the planning and design of the recommended works.
18. We anticipate that the main construction work for all suitable nullahs will start in October 1999 and will be completed in phases by late 2005.
(DD1008)
Enclosure I to PWSC(96-97)23
Nullahs to be included in the study
Kowloon
1. Kai Tak Nullah.
2. Jordan Valley Nullah.
3. Tsui Ping Road/King Yip Street Nullah.
4. Tonkin Street Nullah.
5. The nullah through Wai Man Tsuen to the south of Ching Cheung Road, Lai Chi Kok.
6. Tai Hang Tung Road Nullah.
7. Sau Mau Ping Road Nullah near Po Lam Road.
Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung
8. Sham Tseng Nullah (east). *
9. Sham Tseng Nullah (west). *
10. Lido Beach Nullah. *
11. Ting Kau Beach Nullah. *
12. Nullah near Approach Beach. *
13. Yau Kom Tau Nullah. *
14. Chung Hang Nullah to the south of Tso Kung Tam, Tsuen Wan.
Hong Kong Island
15. Queen's College Nullah, Causeway Bay.
16. Staunton Creek Nullah, Wong Chuk Hang.
17. Ming Yuen Western Street Nullah, North Point.
18. Nullah near Fung Fai Terrace, Happy Valley.
19. Kornhill Nullah, Quarry Bay.
Tin Shui Wai
20. Tin Shui Wai Main Drainage Channel between Tin Wah Road and Hung Shui Kiu.
Sha Tin
21. Shing Mun Nullah between Heung Fan Liu and Tai Wai.
22. Siu Lek Yuen Nullah.
23. Tai Shui Hang Nullah.
24. Fo Tan Nullah.
Sai Kung
25. Nullah near Fuk Man Road.
Tuen Mun
26. Tuen Mun Main Nullah and its tributaries to a distance no more than 1 km upstream of the main channel : San Hing Tsuen nullah, Tsz Tin nullah and Fu Tei nullah.
Yuen Long
27. Yuen Long Main Nullah and its tributaries branching off at Long Yip Street, Wang Tat Road, Tai Shu Ha Road and Kung Um Road.
28. Shan Pui River to the south of its confluence with the Kam Tin River, but including the two drainage channels from Yuen Long Industrial Estate and Tung Tau Wai San Tsuen.
29. Kam Tin River from its confluence with Sha Po stream near Castle Peak Road to its confluence with the Ho Pui stream just south of Kam Tin Shi.
30. Lo Uk Tsuen Channel as far as Sik Kong Wai.
31. Ha Tsuen Channel as far as Ha Tsuen.
* -- Only as far north at the Tuen Mun Highway(DD1008)
Enclosure II to PWSC(96-97)23
Nullahs not included in the study
Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung
1. Shing Mun Road Nullah.
Yuen Long
2. Tong Yan San Tsuen Nullah.
3. Fui Sha Wai Channel.
4. Fairview Park Nullah (from Au Tau through Fairview Park to Mai Po).
5. Tin Sam Channel.
6. Hung Uk Tsuen Channel.
7. Chu Wong Ling Nullah.
8. Lam Hau Channel.
9. Shek Kong Channel.
10. Hung Shui Kiu Channel.
11. Kiu Tau Wai Channel.
Fanling
12. Ma Wat Channel.
Tai Po
13. Tai Po River.
14. Lam Tsuen River.
15. Tai Hang Channel.
16. Ying Pun Ha Channel.
17. Wong Yue Tan Channel.
Lantau Island
18. Nullah near Po Lin Monastery Bus Terminus.
19. Tung Chung Nullah.
Tsing Yi
20. Nullah near Mayfair Gardens.
21. Nullah near the CLP Power Station.
(DD1008)
Enclosure III to PWSC (96-97)23
Breakdown of the estimate of consultants' fees -
|
Consultants' staff costs
|
|
Estimated
man
months
|
Average
MPS
salary
point
|
Multiplier
factor
|
Estimated
fee
($ million)
|
|
(i) Data collection and review
|
Professional
Technical
|
4
16
|
40
16
|
3
3
|
0.62
0.83
|
|
(ii) Supervision of specialist investigations
|
Professional
Technical
|
4
11
|
40
16
|
3
3
|
0.62
0.57
|
|
(iii) Modelling of flows and pollution levels
|
Professional
Technical
|
11
33
|
40
16
|
3
3
|
1.70
1.71
|
|
(iv) Carrying out environmental and traffic reviews
|
Professional
Technical
|
7
8
|
40
16
|
3
3
|
1.08
0.41
|
|
(v) Recommending uses, aesthetic treatment, landscaping works, and silt reduction measures
|
Professional
Technical
|
6
6
|
40
16
|
3
3
|
0.93
0.31
|
|
(vi) Developing proposals and recommendations with outline designs, cost estimates and a prioritised implementation programme
|
Professional
Technical
|
12
11
|
40
16
|
3
3
|
1.85
0.57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
_____
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|
Total consultants' staff costs
|
|
|
|
11.20
|
|
Out-of-pocket expenses
|
|
(i) Consultants' reimbursable expenses (including production of reports, drawings, video and display materials)
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
_____
|
|
Total out-of-pocket expenses
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
Notes
- A multiplier factor of 3 is applied to the average MPS point to arrive at the full staff costs including the consultant's overheads and profit, as the staff will be employed in the consultant's offices. (At 1.4.95, MPS pt.40 = $51,440 p.m. and MPS pt.16 = $17,270 p.m.).
- Out-of-pocket expenses are the actual costs incurred. The consultant is not entitled to any additional payment for overheads or profit in respect of these items.
- The figures above are based on estimates prepared by the Director of Drainage Services. We will only know the actual man months and actual fees when we have selected the consultant through the usual competitive lump sum fee bid system.
(DD1008)
77CD - Feasibility study for provision of decking to existing open nullahs
- (a) Necessity to go to the PWSC
- We need to seek PWSC/FC's approval for upgrading 77CD to category A before inviting consultants to carry out the feasibility study for provision of decking to existing open nullahs.
- (b) Authority
- Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands supports the representations from district boards and some LegCo Members on the need to carry out a feasibility study on nullah decking and associated environmental improvements.
- (c) Funding
- The current project estimate is $21.9 million at December 1995 prices. The 1996 RAE preamble has earmarked $21.8 million for this project. The $0.1 million savings can be quoted from 93DS Nutrient removal from Tolo Harbour - effluent export scheme - consultants' fees and investigation.
- (d) Political Assessment
- Members may express concern that the decking of nullahs will hide rather than abate water pollution. However, this study will also consider the land use and planning aspects of the space that would be created by decking and recommend other pollution abatement measures and beautification through landscaping.
- (e) Clearance with District Officer
- We consider consultation with District Officer unnecessary.
- (f) Consultation with LegCo Panel
- We consider consultation with LegCo Panel unnecessary.
- (g) Lobbying requirement
- We consider lobbying unnecessary.
- (h) Fallback option
- We will withdraw the paper for re-submission with additional justification if Members do not support the proposal.
- (i) Attendance at the PWSC meeting
- The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands (Mr Bowen Leung) and the Director of Drainage Services (Mr Y Y Ng) will attend the meeting.
- (j) Special Consideration
- Nil.
(DD1008)
Last Updated on 4 Sep, 1996
