The ventilation and refrigeration system of the fresh market Maritime Market at Cheung Fat Plaza in Tsing Yi generated excessive noise at night which affected nearby residents. The property owner, Link Properties Limited, failed to implement noise abatement measures in accordance with the noise abatement notice (NAN) and was fined $30,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 5) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that the department received five complaints in January and February last year about the noise nuisance generated from Maritime Market. The investigation conducted by the EPD enforcement officers confirmed that the noise generated by the market's ventilation and refrigeration system at night exceeded the statutory limit and an NAN was issued to the owner, Link Properties Limited, requesting improvement. EPD staff made a follow-up noise assessment in October last year and found that the noise generated from its system at night still exceeded the statutory limit, which violated the requirements of the NAN. The department then initiated prosecution under the NCO. Link Properties Limited later installed noise abatement equipment for the ventilation and refrigeration system of Maritime Market and the noise problem has been rectified.
The spokesman reminded all property owners to install noise abatement equipment for the ventilation and refrigeration system at their premises and ensure its normal operation. A property owner who receives an NAN issued by the EPD has to implement noise abatement measures before the deadline. Otherwise, it will constitute an offence.
According to the NCO, anyone failing to comply with any requirement of an NAN commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent conviction.
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