Feedback Received on Noise from 24-hour Gymnasium Located at Void Decks of HDB Blocks and Actions Taken

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for National Development (a) for 2020 and the first half of 2021, what is the number of feedback received by HDB on noise coming from gymnasiums located at void decks of HDB residential blocks and operating on a 24-hour basis; (b) whether HDB did conduct a survey or feasibility studies on having such entities operating at HDB void decks; and (c) what actions are being taken to mitigate this issue.

There has been a growing demand for accessible fitness facilities in the heartlands as more residents are working from home and exercising for a healthier lifestyle. Currently, there are 46 gymnasiums operating in HDB commercial premises, of which 17 (or 0.1% of the total number of HDB shops) are located in blocks with flats above.

HDB shop owners or tenants who intend to operate a gymnasium are required to seek HDB’s prior approval. Operators are expected to minimise potential disamenities which may arise from gymnasium operations, for example, fully air-condition the premises and implement other measures, such as sound-proofing, to minimise vibration or noise nuisance.

Between January 2020 and June 2021, HDB received five complaints about noise nuisance from gymnasiums located in blocks with flats above. These complaints were isolated cases involving two gymnasium units. HDB has since engaged the gymnasiums to take active measures to address the noise nuisance, such as adjusting hours of operations and putting in place systems to monitor the noise level, and no further complaints have been received thus far. If HDB receives persistent feedback on nuisance from gymnasiums, HDB may revoke the approval for gymnasium operations. This approach allows us to strike a balance between maintaining a good living environment and providing residents with convenient access to facilities that they enjoy.