Reduction of Noise for Sporting Events Held at Nicoll Highway/ Tanjong Rhu Area

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether the police will impose licensing conditions on organisers of sporting events around the Nicoll Highway/Tanjong Rhu area or other parts of Singapore to ensure that organisers do not create noise nuisance or play loud music in the early hours of the morning that disturb the rest hours of residents living near the area.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Under URA's land use plan, the Marina Bay area, which includes Tanjong Rhu, the new Sports Hub and Gardens by the Bay as well as the bay itself, is being developed for the arts, culture and sports.

Organisers are required to seek URA's approval to hold sporting events in the Marina Bay area. In addition, if a sporting event involves the transmission of recorded music or performances of general entertainment, a public entertainment licence issued by the Police is required.

In approving the public entertainment licence, Police will impose noise mitigating measures as part of the licensing conditions, such as restrictions on event hours and the number of audio speakers allowed. The organiser is also requested to engage the stakeholders in the area, including the Management Committees of nearby condominiums, to ensure that potential disamenities and inconveniences created by the events are kept within acceptable levels. Event organisers who fail to comply with the licensing conditions may be prosecuted. The licensee, if convicted, is liable for a fine of up to $10,000.