Completion of Review by Community Advisory Panel for Quantitative Noise Threshold for Neighbourhoods

13 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development when does the Government expect to conclude its review of the Community Advisory Panel on Neighbourhood Noise's recommendation for a quantitative noise threshold and introduce legislation to respond and enforce against unacceptable neighbourhood noise levels.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Ms Sim Ann) (for the Minister for National Development): Madam, the Municipal Services Office (MSO) is following up on the key recommendations submitted by the Community Advisory Panel on Neighbourhood Noise.

At present, we are focusing on consulting relevant community stakeholders on the feasibility of extending the quiet hours as recommended by the Panel. We are also working with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Law to strengthen the inter-agency Community Dispute Management Framework, which includes preparations for the pilot unit of dedicated personnel to address serious cases of neighbour noise disputes.

The review on whether to establish a residential noise threshold has begun. We plan to work with academia on a technical study and draw on references from thresholds practiced in other jurisdictions before commencing wider consultations with relevant agencies and experts. We expect to be able to conclude the review before end-2024.

Mdm Deputy Speaker: Mr Louis Chua.

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang): Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. Just two very quick supplementary questions for the Senior Minister of State. Firstly, is the plan for MSO to adopt the six key recommendations by the Community Advisory Panel? And second, I understand from the Committee of Supply debate earlier this year that the pilot team of dedicated personnel for the pilot scheme was supposed to be in place by the end of this year. I was just wondering if that is still on track and what the expected duration for the pilot phase will be before the whole programme is rolled out islandwide.

Ms Sim Ann: Madam, I am afraid I could not hear very clearly.

Mdm Deputy Speaker: Mr Chua, could you please repeat it?

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: The first is: whether or not the six key recommendations of the Community Advisory Panel report will be taken up, is that the plan? And second, in terms of the pilot team of dedicated personnel that was supposed to be rolled out by the end of this year to deal with the egregious cases, I am just wondering what is the expected duration for the pilot phase and also, when should we expect the full implementation of the programme?

Ms Sim Ann: Madam, MSO will respond to all the recommendations of the Community Advisory Panel in due course. As for the unit of dedicated personnel, we will share more information of the duration of the pilot. The intention is to eventually roll this out to the whole nation. The purpose of the pilot is more to determine whether the processes are working as intended and also, whether the resourcing is right.