Updating Criteria for Intervention in Severe Neighbour Noise Cases under Expanded Community Relations Unit Roll-out

Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the nationwide expansion of the Community Relations Unit (CRU) will provide updated eligibility criteria for intervention in severe neighbour-noise cases; (b) if so, what additional categories of cases will qualify; and (c) what are the steps to measure the effectiveness of the expanded CRU on its improved enforcement, resolution rates, and outcomes for affected residents.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Community Relations Unit (CRU) was set up to address the most severe neighbour noise and hoarding within residential units.

Most neighbour disputes can and should be resolved through dialogue and mediation. For neighbour noise cases, CRU will continue to focus on the small minority of cases involving excessive and prolonged noise disturbances that cause significant distress to multiple residents and cannot be addressed through community mediation or the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals.

The Government will assess the effectiveness of CRU by the extent to which its intervention helps de-escalate severe neighbour noise cases, reduce recurrence and provide meaningful relief to affected residents.