Law Changes Mooted To Cut Noise Pollution In Parks

The government is proposing changes to regulations that will make it easier to prosecute people who create noise pollution in public parks.

In papers submitted to the legislature, the government said some singing groups use loudspeakers or amplifiers to generate excessive noise, causing a nuisance to nearby residents.

Currently, the law only protect users of the public parks, meaning that even if Leisure and Cultural Services Department officials find someone making too much noise in a park, they can't be prosecuted unless a witness is produced from the area concerned.

The legal amendment would mean that instead of a person from the scene, other people, such as a department official or a nearby resident, can also be a witness, therefore making it easier to take enforcement action.

The government said such legal changes would "help promote responsible and respectful behaviour in parks and deter irresponsible uses of loudspeakers which cause annoyance to park users, nearby residents or park keepers".

The penalty for singing in parks and causing a nuisance would stay the same, with a maximum fine of HK$2,000 or a two-week jail term.

Officials plan to table the amended legislation through negative vetting within the current Legco term, meaning it would go through a quicker legislative process than if it was tabled as an amendment bill.

Tuen Mun district councillor Tam Chun-yin, from the Labour Party, said he welcomes the proposed changes, since he receives a lot of complaints from residents in his constituency.

He said singing groups in parks are organised, with scantily clad women attracting people to watch and pay for their performances.

Tam said if it becomes more costly for the groups to hold such singing activities, this should be a deterrent effect.

And if these proposed legal changes don't stop the singing groups, he said increasing the penalty should be next step.

A Legco home affairs panel is expected to discuss the matter on Monday.