Community Advisory Panel on Neighbourhood Noise seeks public input about noise issues

Noise in the neighbourhood has become an issue of greater concern with the increased number of residents staying home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In support of the newly-formed Community Advisory Panel on Neighbourhood Noise, the Municipal Service Office has partnered the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth to conduct a series of focus group discussions in July and August to seek public feedback regarding neighbourhood noise issues.

Residents would be able to express their views on what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable noise and their preferred approach to managing noise through the focus groups. An online survey would also be conducted by the panel to seek the public’s perspective on noise issues.

The formation of the panel was announced by the Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann at the 2022 Committee of Supply Debate on Mar 8.

The panel is chaired by Dr William Wan, who is also the general secretary at Singapore Kindness Movement.

It aims to define what is deemed as unacceptable noise disturbances and what constitutes good community norms that neighbours should observe. The panel will also look into noise from neighbours in common areas, as well as facilitate mediation and decision-making at the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal.

This public involvement will help the panel to develop a set of community norms that will serve as a useful benchmark to address noise issues on the ground and create a harmonious living environment.

The panel will also submit a report with the proposed community norms and recommendations on noise from neighbours and congregational noise by end-2022.

The focus groups will be held at the the following venues – Our Tampines Hub (Jul 23), Radin Mas Community Club (Jul 30), The Frontier Community Club (Aug 6), MND Complex (13 and 20 Aug) and Nee Soon Central Community Club (Sep 3).

Those interested can sign up for the focus groups by filling up this form. Successful applicants for the focus group sessions will be informed through an email. All participants will receive a $30 voucher as a token of appreciation.