Committee of Supply 2023 debate, Day 5: Sim Ann on neighbourhood noise, budget meals and revitalisation of heartland shops
New measures are being planned to address the issue of neighbourhood noise, which has been a growing problem since lifestyles started to change during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authorities are looking at how to implement an extension of quiet hours and set a decibel limit in residential settings. An experiential space will also be created to promote public understanding of the causes and effects of inter-floor noise disturbances. Meanwhile, egregious cases where noise is “weaponised” to disrupt the peace among neighbours will be required to undergo community dispute mediation, with a unit of dedicated personnel being piloted to work with the parties involved. Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann made these announcements in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 2). She also revealed that from May this year, older coffee shops will have to provide budget meal options to get their tenancies renewed. This is after a successful rollout at new rental coffee shops. It means budget meals will be available at almost half of all coffee shops, and in all HDB towns, by 2026. A new roadmap is also being launched to rejuvenate heartland shops. Under a new Enhanced Entrepreneur Scheme, more heartland shop spaces will be allocated to eligible start-ups, with a 10 per cent rental discount for the first three years. The Revitalisation of Shops Scheme (ROS) will also be enhanced. Shop owners’ co-payment for ROS upgrading will be cut from 20 per cent to five per cent, with HDB’s share rising from 70 per cent to 85 per cent. HDB will also co-fund 80 per cent of the costs for optional shopfront work such as installing roller shutters, up to a cap of S$3,000.
New measures are being planned to address the issue of neighbourhood noise, which has been a growing problem since lifestyles started to change during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authorities are looking at how to implement an extension of quiet hours and set a decibel limit in residential settings. An experiential space will also be created to promote public understanding of the causes and effects of inter-floor noise disturbances. Meanwhile, egregious cases where noise is “weaponised” to disrupt the peace among neighbours will be required to undergo community dispute mediation, with a unit of dedicated personnel being piloted to work with the parties involved. Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann made these announcements in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 2). She also revealed that from May this year, older coffee shops will have to provide budget meal options to get their tenancies renewed. This is after a successful rollout at new rental coffee shops. It means budget meals will be available at almost half of all coffee shops, and in all HDB towns, by 2026. A new roadmap is also being launched to rejuvenate heartland shops. Under a new Enhanced Entrepreneur Scheme, more heartland shop spaces will be allocated to eligible start-ups, with a 10 per cent rental discount for the first three years. The Revitalisation of Shops Scheme (ROS) will also be enhanced. Shop owners’ co-payment for ROS upgrading will be cut from 20 per cent to five per cent, with HDB’s share rising from 70 per cent to 85 per cent. HDB will also co-fund 80 per cent of the costs for optional shopfront work such as installing roller shutters, up to a cap of S$3,000.
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