Regulation of Noise Pollution

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) why is NEA outsourcing the function of reviewing noise levels generated by entertainment and food outlets by calling a tender for a consultancy study; and (b) how does the Ministry intend to maintain in-house expertise on noise pollution.

I believe hon Member Mr Baey is referring to the interagency noise consultancy study tendered in June 2013.4 This study aims to provide a better understanding of the noise profile of commercial and residential activity zones through the provision of 3-D noise contours that will show the propagation of noise in the vicinity and the impact of noise on different groups of people, for example, nearby residents, patrons of nearby premises. It will also recommend engineering measures to mitigate noise at existing and upcoming food and entertainment outlets. The external consultants involved will augment NEA's current range of expertise and complement it with skills, such as complex modeling methods, that are not used routinely in the course of NEA's work. Furthermore, the consultants will also bring with them their experience and insights from conducting other similar studies.

NEA has the necessary in-house expertise to effectively carry out its role in regulating and managing noise levels. We will ensure that the officers involved

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have the relevant technical and engineering competencies to enable them to carry out their jobs effectively. They also undergo regular training and take part in local and international seminars and exchanges to keep themselves updated on the leading-edge thinking and technologies in the field.

From time to time, however, it will be necessary for NEA to engage consultants that either complement or augment their expertise for certain work and this depends on the nature and scale of what needs to be done.