Fines and Actions against Errant Contractors for Noise-related Infractions Related to North-South Corridor Construction Project

5 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment for the North-South Corridor construction project along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 (a) how many errant contractors were fined in 2023 for noise related infractions; (b) what are the penalties for recalcitrant offenders; and (c) what measures is the Ministry taking to minimise noise related issues from the project.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (Mr Baey Yam Keng) (for the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment): In 2023, the National Environment Agency (NEA) took one enforcement action against the contractor of the North-South Corridor (NSC) construction site, located along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, for noise related infractions.

Contractors are permitted to carry out safety critical work at night and/or on weekends, as such works need to be conducted continuously for safety reasons. However, these contractors must still implement all practicable noise mitigation measures to minimise noise.

For this construction project, NEA required the contractor to conduct a noise impact assessment and implement a noise management plan to mitigate noise.

To minimise inconveniences to stakeholders, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and its contractors deploy noise barriers, noise enclosures and fit mufflers on machinery to reduce noise levels. LTA also conducts localised stakeholder engagement and works with grassroots leaders, to inform and update the public on project-specific information.

Mr Speaker: Mr Yip Hon Weng.

Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his response. Besides fines, are there other measures, such as project suspension or blacklisting, taken against repeat offenders causing noise infractions? I ask this Parliamentary Question, because many of my residents in Yio Chu Kang are affected by the noise pollution from the NSC construction.

Has the Ministry conducted any studies to assess the potential health impact of noise pollution on residents, particularly vulnerable populations, like elderly or children? And has the Ministry also explored alternative construction methods or technologies that could help minimise some of this noise pollution from the project?

Mr Baey Yam Keng: Sir, NEA has strict regulations on noise from construction sites and other areas that affect the comfort and well-being of residents and other stakeholders around the construction site.

So, besides fines, if there are contractors who are caught for repeated exceedances of noise limits, NEA will issue a notice to restrict the working hours for the activity, to prevent the contractors from re-offending.

And for violations of the no-work rule, that means there are periods where no work or no noisy work should be conducted and if there are violations, NEA will require the owner or the occupier of the construction sites that have violated this no-work rule, to install an electronic video surveillance at their construction site. And NEA will have access to the surveillance system to monitor the activities at these sites and take necessary strict enforcement for further violation.

I would like to mention that these particular works at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 is a very special one. It is part of the NSC, which the Member would be familiar with that it is a major land transport construction project, spanning 21.5 kilometres. It is special, not just because of the scale, but because of its proximity to many residential areas, as well as the very challenging soil conditions that the contractors must work within. Therefore, the authorities have been taking many measures on the contractors, NEA has been monitoring very closely the disturbances and the inconveniences impacting the residents around the area. We will take all necessary measures and impose on the contractors to put in necessary measures to mitigate the noise.

But really, this is a difficult balance because we need to allow the contractors to be able to have expedited progress in its works; otherwise, the project will be prolonged and extended, and that will even cause residents an extended period of inconveniences. So, I do thank the residents of the area, and all areas affected by the works, for their understanding and patience as we work towards its completion.

The works around Avenue 6 is a road tunnel and that is expected to be completed in 2029. But the level of work will be in different phases and not all works will be as noisy as it is. And we also appreciate the Member, Mr Yip Hon Weng, for always speaking up for his residents. He has had held many meetings with authorities, like LTA, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and NEA, to look at ways to minimise the inconveniences. So, we thank him and thank his residents for their understanding.

When the works are completed, residents can look forward that the street level of Avenue 6 can be repurposed, to give priority to different purposes, like walking, cycling, public transport and community spaces. We look forward to working with residents to look at how we can repurpose the new space that has been created from the NSC.

10.55 am

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. Introduction of Government Bill.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]