Residents and lawmakers voiced concerns over the effectiveness of Macau’s over a decade-old noise pollution law during a current affairs phone-in programme hosted by Ou Mun Tin Toi yesterday.
Directly-elected lawmaker-cum-social worker Nick Lei Leong Wong, who participated in the programme yesterday, pointed out that while over 99 percent of noise complaints were officially registered by the authorities, many of the complainants believe that merely registering their complaints does not mean that they be resolved, prompting calls for a comprehensive review of the law.
Lei highlighted the need to reassess the current penalties, enforcement methods, and noise control periods under the law after more than 10 years since its enactment, because of which, he said, it was high time to amend the law to better address modern noise issues.
Lei also stressed the importance of enhancing the mediation skills of property management staff and other community stakeholders to handle disputes more effectively.
Choi Tong, a member of the government-appointed Central District Community Service Consultative Council, echoed Lei’s sentiments, calling for targeted training for property management personnel. He also suggested investigating whether certain noises, such as knocking and water sounds, as well as vibrations, are caused by building structures, which would require different solutions.
During yesterday’s programme, residents raised concerns about noise disturbances caused by motor vehicles, pets, and social gatherings.
Lei urged the police to step up their enforcement measures against modified vehicles causing excessive noise and encouraged members of the public to report such incidents. He also proposed balancing noise reduction measures for commercial and social activities, such as using quieter machinery for construction works and introducing electric shuttle buses for staff members to minimise operational noise.
For pet-related noise, Lei urged pet owners to enhance animal training, while for persistent noise issues in areas frequented by non-local residents, he called for stricter enforcement and potential prosecution after repeated warnings.
Choi emphasised the importance of controlling noise at its source, suggesting the establishment of neighbourhood mediation mechanisms and enhanced interdepartmental patrols, warnings, and the laying of charges, and he also appealed for mutual respect and communication among neighbours to minimise noise that disrupts daily life.
In response to the programme, the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) revealed in a statement yesterday that it received 10,554 noise complaints last year, a 4.6 percent increase year-on-year, among which 39 percent were related to public space noise, while nearly 30 percent involved residential and pet-related noise.
Despite the rise in complaints, the bureau noted a general decline in reports of residential, commercial, and construction noise in recent years, attributing this trend to effective public awareness campaigns, the statement said.
The statement noted that public space noise complaints were concentrated in tourist areas such as Largo do Senado (議事亭前地) and the Ruins of St. Paul (大三巴), as well as recreational zones in neighbourhoods like San Kio, Ribeira do Patane, and around the area of Avenida de Horta e Costa.
Regarding potential amendments to the current law, the bureau said that the current noise control periods were established after extensive consultation to balance residents’ rest and activity needs, and that any changes would require broad societal consensus, and the bureau pledged to continue gathering public input for further analysis.
Directly-elected lawmaker-cum-social worker Nick Lei Leong Wong (left) and government-appointed Central District Community Service Consultative Council member Choi Tong look on during yesterday’s phone-in programme hosted by public broadcaster TDM’s Chinese-language radio channel. – Photo courtesy of TDM
