Noise Dispute Resolution and Enforcement Measures in Residential Developments

35 Dr Charlene Chen asked the Minister for National Development (a) amid rising noise-related disputes in residential developments including HDB estates and condominiums, how do agencies determine the source and responsibility of noise when complaints arise; (b) what operational constraints limit enforcement actions on such complaints; and (c) whether the Ministry will study structured approaches used in other dense cities to strengthen enforceable protections for residents' night-time peace.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: When neighbour noise disputes occur, grassroots leaders and frontline agencies, like the Housing and Development Board, would engage the parties involved and their surrounding neighbours to better understand the situation and likely sources of noise. Their aim is to bring the neighbours together, to understand each other's perspectives and find a mutually acceptable solution. Most neighbour noise disputes are resolved this way and many of the remaining disputes are resolved after neighbours attend mediation at the Community Mediation Centre. This approach preserves long-term goodwill among neighbours.

A small number of neighbour noise disputes include cases where an individual deliberately makes excessive noise to cause suffering to neighbours and when prior mediation attempts have not been successful. Where the Community Relations Unit (CRU) is being piloted, frontline agencies triage and escalate such severe cases to the CRU for intervention. The CRU can deploy noise sensors to confirm the source and severity of the noise nuisance, after initial investigations narrow down the unit the noise might be coming from.

If the Director-General of CRU is satisfied that an individual is causing unreasonable interference to his neighbour, he can order the nuisance-maker to cease and desist. This is modelled on what countries, like the United Kingdom and Australia, have done. We are planning to expand the CRU pilot to more towns.