In a recent written interpellation, directly-elected lawmaker-cum-unionist Ella Lei Cheng I has raised concern over the rising instances of noise pollution in Macau, particularly the disturbances caused by everyday din.
Lei submitted the written interpellation in November, and the reply from the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) was sent to the media on Sunday.
According to the findings in the “Macau Environmental Condition Report 2023,” which revealed an upward trend in noise complaints since the implementation of the Environmental Noise Prevention and Control Law nearly a decade ago, the overall complaints decreased slightly in 2023 compared to the previous year, but the figures remained significantly above pre-pandemic levels, Lei pointed out.
Lei highlighted that in 2023 there were a total of 10,538 noise complaints, with a notable increase in disturbances from “talking noisily,” which surged by 20.3 percent compared to 2022.
The DSPA statistics indicated that noise control measures accounted for only about 1 percent of the total number of complaints, which Lei deemed alarmingly low.
Lei raised concerns about the profound impact of ambient noise on residents’ quality of life, particularly during night-time quiet when the din from nearby leisure areas often disrupts peace, urging the government to adopt a more proactive approach to combat persistent noise issues, as well as to review the noise control laws to adapt to Macau’s evolving societal landscape and the diverse lifestyles of its residents.
In response, the bureau acknowledged that while there has been a general decline in noise complaints since the law’s enactment, the sporadic and unpredictable nature of social noise presents challenges for enforcement, adding that the police have increased patrols in known trouble spots and are working closely with building management companies to address recurring noise issues.
This undated file photo provided by directly-elected lawmaker-cum-unionist Ella Lei Cheng I yesterday shows her speaking in the Legislative Assembly’s (AL) hemicycle.
