Debated in Parliament on 25 Feb 2013.
Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what are the measures taken to regulate and monitor the noise, water and air pollution pertaining to the operations of the Loyang Offshore Supply Base (LOSB); (b) in the last three years, how many times were enforcement action taken by NEA against Toll Offshore Petroleum Services (TOPS) for non-compliance with the water, air and noise regulations that govern such industrial activities; and (c) whether NEA can consider imposing stricter noise guidelines on LOSB given the proximity of the site to residential areas and the intensity of its offshore base activities.
The LOSB is located at Loyang Crescent and currently operated by TOPS. It was established in 1970 and consists of port facilities, offices, warehouses, storage facilities and workshops.
As part of its operations, TOPS must comply with the Environmental Protection & Management (Boundary Noise Limits for Factory Premises) Regulations which we have imposed, and insisted that these companies take appropriate mitigation measures to minimise noise generated at the premises. In January 2011, NEA directed the company TOPS to provide quieter external generator sets for large ships berthed at Loyang Jetty and TOPS has complied. TOPS also installed a noise meter for the real-time monitoring of noise levels at the Jalan Loyang Besar area.
Between January 2010 and January 2013, NEA took enforcement action against two cases of noise violations at LOSB, which occurred on 1 April 2011 and 12 January 2013. NEA has also required TOPS to put in place the following measures: first, to schedule ship repair work to complete earlier and not to carry out the more noisy activities late into the night; and secondly, to install another online noise monitoring meter nearer to the jetty. If these measures are
Page: 36
insufficient, we will take further measures against the company.
Between January 2010 and January 2013, MPA took enforcement action against eight cases of vessels for emitting black smoke at LOSB. NEA has also taken enforcement action against TOPS for discharging industrial effluent into a drain.
The Government will continue to monitor the situation at LOSB and work with all the users of LOSB to minimise the environmental impact of their activities on the surrounding area. We will also work closely with the residents and local MP if further problems arise. We will not hesitate to take all the necessary actions to resolve this.
Mdm Speaker, the noise and air pollution has been a perennial problem facing residents of Jalan Loyang Besar. Would NEA consider in the long term to make a very strong recommendation for the Loyang Offshore Supply Base to be relocated or closed down completely, given its proximity to residential areas?
The supply base has been there since 1970. A lot of the residential developments have only occurred there after the year 2000. The point is that we need to make sure that our regulations are practical and realistic. Secondly, we need to make sure of having established standards to enforce those standards. We make the companies embark and invest in the necessary infrastructure as well as the re-engineering of their work flow processes in order to meet these standards.
I am not in a position to move offshore bases and businesses and factories from their premises. I think this clearly illustrates the need as we go forward in the future, that as people's expectations raise, and we also want to elevate standards, but at the same time, we need to achieve an appropriate equilibrium so that businesses can still pursue activities and hopefully arrive at a win-win outcome. I do not think we have the luxury of chasing our businesses out from many, many places in Singapore. This is something which requires balance and judgement.
Page: 37
PAPERCUTS