XN000022-1982-07-14 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1982

11

NOISE COMPLAINTS HANDLED BY POLICE

* * *

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS OF EXCESSIVE NOISE RESTS PRIMARILY WITH THE POLICE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON ANDREW SO ABOUT NOISE POLLUTION. MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT CONSTRUCTION NOISE, AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR CONDITIONING NOISE.

FOR THE MOST PART, HE SAID, CONTROL OVER EXCESSIVE NOISE IS EFFECTED UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE. THIS PROVIDES THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO MAKE, OR TO CAUSE OR PERMIT TO BE MADE, ANY NOISE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11 PM AND 6 AM WHICH IS CALCULATED TO DISTURB OR ANNOY. IT ALSO PROHIBITS THE USE BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM AS WELL AS ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, OF ANY POWERED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PERMIT WHICH MAY BE ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT.

THE ORDINANCE FURTHER SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS ANY PILING WORK BEING UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS UNLESS SPECIAL EXEMPTION HAS BEEN GRANTED BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ALSO SPECIAL CONTROLS ON NOISE FROM VENTILATION SYSTEM SUCH AS THOSE ARISING FROM AIR CONDITION ING PLANT AND EQUIPMENT.

NOISE WITHIN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, THIS IS CONTROLLED BY THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.

IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE, AND FOR WORKERS TO WEAR, MUFFLERS WHEN NOISE LEVELS WITHIN A WORKPLACE EXCEED LEVELS LAID DOWN IN PUBLISHED GUIDELINES.

HE ADDED THAT A MORE COMPREHENSIVE NOISE CONTROL BILL HAS BEEN PROPOSED, BUT THIS WILL TAKE UNTIL ABOUT 1984 TO PREPARE.

FIVE BILLS PASSED AT LEGCO

* * *

FIVE BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY ARE: THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1982, THE URBAN COUNCIL (EXTRAORDINARY ELECTION) BILL 1982, THE CROWN LAND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982 AND THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1982.

/12