OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES IN NON-RESIDENTIAL AREAS

OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES IN NON-RESIDENTIAL AREAS:

(Timing restrictions): 16.

Ms Eunice Elizabeth Olsen asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) what is the cut-off time for outdoor performances in non-residential areas on mainland Singapore and what is the rationale for the timing restrictions under the public entertainment ad-hoc licence; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider easing the timing restrictions for outdoor performances, especially musical performances located in a non-residential area, so as to make Singapore a more vibrant city.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Media Development Authority (MDA) licenses arts entertainment events and, if these are staged outdoors, the MDA will seek advice from the police concerning the cut-off time. The MDA will determine the eventual timing for the event after considering all other factors.

Sir, factors considered in deciding on the cut-off time for outdoor arts entertainment events include proximity of the event location to residential areas, nature of the event, potential crowd size, and any past record of noise-related complaints from similar events. Going by past performances, and advice from the Police, the specified cut-off times for outdoor performances in non-residential areas range from 10.30 pm to 2.00 am.

Column: 909

MICA is committed to developing Singapore into a more vibrant and exciting global arts city. We will exercise flexibility in considering requests for later cut-off times for outdoor performances, especially if they are held in non-residential areas. This will need to be done on a case-by-case basis.

Ms Eunice Elizabeth Olsen: Sir, I have a feedback. For one of the events in March which was held on top of the Market Street Carpark on a Saturday night, I was only given up to like 10.30 pm. What are the main considerations and would the Ministry actually consider extending this cut-off time for all events in non-residential areas or outdoor performances to at least, say, 2.00 am?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said, if a performance is held in an area where there are no residential premises nearby and there are unlikely to be any disturbances caused to other neighbouring areas, then we could consider appeals for extension. In fact, MDA had in the past received such appeals and they have, in some cases, where the condition warrants it, granted extension.

Let me give you the example of the case of World of Music and Dance (WOMAD). It was held at Fort Canning. The cut-off time for this particular event was extended to 4.30 am because, in the case of Fort Canning, there was nobody nearby who would be likely to complain about noise nuisance. So although the normal cut-off time is 2.00 am, on special appeal and because of the special occasion, MDA was able to consider granting the organisers' request to have it extended to 4.30 am.

We have also other events where we have considered extending the cut-off time. Another example that I can cite

Column: 910

would be a pop rock concert called Good Vibrations. Originally, the organiser wanted to hold it at an open vacant lot at Ophir Road. Of course, there were residential areas nearby. So the recommendation was to have it ended at 10.30 pm, so that it would not cause any disturbance to the residents and, in fact, there was also a hospital nearby. But when they appealed for extension of time, MDA was able to work with the organiser and say, "Look, if you move away from this location and go somewhere else, we will certainly consider a longer performance period and extend the cut-off time." Eventually, they were persuaded and they went to Fort Canning and were able to have the event continued until 1.00 am.

So we will consider every such appeal on a case-by-case basis. We will study the nature and location of the event and also the past record, how they had performed, and whether the late night or early morning events held at such places had given rise to any noise complaints. If there are no such concerns, we are quite happy to accommodate and to work with the organisers so that their proposals can be accommodated.