OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREAS AT HDB ESTATES

OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREAS AT HDB ESTATES:

(Extension of operating hours): 18.

Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim asked the Minister for National Development if the Ministry will consider

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extending the operating hours of Outdoor Refreshment Areas at HDB premises in suburban HDB estates that were originally designed as eating houses to further enhance the vibrancy of these locations.

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, currently, operators of HDB eating houses are allowed to operate Outdoor Refreshment Areas (ORAs) at their shopfronts from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm daily. The restriction in the operating hours of the ORA is necessary to prevent disamenities to residents, as the majority of these eating houses are located below HDB flats.

HDB has sought to meet the needs of both eating house operators as well as the residents by allowing the operation of ORA, but with appropriate conditions, such as restriction on operating hours. At a recent consultation session conducted by HDB to review and streamline ORA guidelines, the participants, comprising eating house operators and residents, had also proposed to retain it, so as not to cause disamenities to the neighbourhood and to maintain its residential character.

Nevertheless, there is no restriction on the operating hours within the eating house premises. They can continue to operate beyond 11.00 pm.

Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Marine Parade): Sir, I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he can consider extending the operating hours of these ORAs in certain parts of the suburban estates just to add some vibrancy and perhaps use some discretionary exercise in allowing some of the ORAs to be extended, say, by one hour during weekends, especially when many residents watch football matches at the coffeeshops.

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Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Sir, I think the current operating hours for ORAs are generous enough, up to 11.00 pm. As mentioned in my main response, it is trying to strike a balance between the needs of the residents in the neighbourhood as well as the operators of the eating houses. As much as we have tried to meet the request, often-times, there will be complaints or feedback that come across in terms of noise pollution. As of now, we are concerned, and we are quite comfortable with the fact that the hours given for ORAs up to 11.00 pm are quite sufficient to meet the needs of both parties.