Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on planning of development projects

Jan 10, 2018

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for National Development 

(a) whether the tempo and siting of land development allocation considers the cumulative effect of continuous noise on nearby residents arising from successive construction developments in close proximity; and

(b) what measures are being used to incentivise the minimisation of noise arising from public or private sector developments especially when there are residential areas nearby.

Answer:

In the planning of public and private development projects, agencies take into account several considerations, including the impact of construction works on nearby residents.

However, given our built-up urban environment and land constraints, it is not always possible to totally avoid temporal noise-generating activities such as construction works.

In areas that are being developed fairly rapidly such as new housing estates, residents who moved into the area earlier may go through the experience of several nearby upcoming developments being constructed subsequently.

Nevertheless, public sector agencies are committed to reducing construction noise levels.  For instance, LTA takes reference from NEA’s guidelines when implementing road and rail infrastructure projects.  HDB’s contractors also include measures such as the staggering of noisy activities, using quieter equipment and construction methods, shielding of noise sources, and restricting the duration of noisy activities (such as piling) to minimise inconvenience to nearby residents during development process.

During the construction period, noise limits are imposed on construction sites under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA).  Construction companies which violate these limits are liable to enforcement action by the National Environment Agency, which could include a fine of up to $40,000 upon conviction.  A “stop work order” may also be imposed on repeat offenders.

A “no-work rule” has also been put in place since September 2011, which prohibits noisy work activities on Sundays and Public Holidays at construction sites within 150 metres of residential premises and noise-sensitive premises.