Debated in Parliament on 4 Jul 2017.
Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for National Development in respect of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) (a) what is the average time taken between polling to awarding a contract and to starting work; and (b) which precincts are experiencing the longest delay in implementing HIP to date since the programme started and how long has been the delay.
Upon the selection of HIP projects, HDB will call Design and Build tenders to procure contractors and consultants for the projects. This process typically takes about eight months. Once the tenders have been awarded, the contractors and consultants will work with HDB and the HIP Working Committees, which comprise representatives from the Town Council, grassroots leaders and residents, to design and work out the HIP package. Residents are then consulted and engaged through straw polls before the formal HIP poll is conducted.
The average time taken between the award of an HIP contract to polling is about nine months. After polling, residents are given six weeks to select and opt for the HIP works. Contractors will then prepare the materials before they start the HIP works, usually around four months after polling.
In practice, the time taken for the HIP process differs from one HIP project to another and may not always fall within these general timeframes. For example, progress of projects is dependent on technical constraints on the ground and site-specific issues, such as any affected underground services. Projects where the design proposal is more complex, especially where it involves features, such as electrical upgrading works, can also take longer to complete.
Mdm Speaker, just a couple of questions for the Minister. I understand that it includes the upgrading of existing substations. Would the Ministry consider, for example, letting the other part of the HIP proceed, the part where it involves very common kind of spalling concrete repair, replacement of pipes and casements? Those are very common because I think a lot of residents are waiting for that. Whereas the electrical works, these are actually outside the house, so they are quite distinct.
I would also like to say that the residents of Blocks 309 to 328 in Hougang Avenue 5 have been waiting like 730 days since the announcement of the HIP.
Another question is: what is the purpose of the straw poll if HDB can proceed straight to the actual poll? Are the votes gathered during the straw poll counted towards the actual poll?
Madam, as I have said, the timeframes vary differently. I believe, in the Member's ward, there are two projects that are proceeding. The one he talked about first – Blocks 309 to 312, 314, 317 to 319 – these have taken a bit longer after award of tender to the dictated date for polling because the Working Committee, including representatives from the Town Council, had some issues regarding, I am told, the electrical substations (ESS), either the location or they wanted the existing ones to be upgraded. And, as a result, a number of agencies have to be involved because this was something that they had to look into seriously. I am told that that has been resolved and that the poll will come soon. So, these are issues that have to be undertaken because of the request of the Working Committee.
As for whether the rest of the work can proceed whilst these things are being ironed out, when it comes to ESSes and where they are located, sometimes the residents may have a view on it and they may be reflected either in the straw poll or feedback that you get or during the actual poll, they may actually reject what you are trying to do. ESSes are buildings that may perhaps hinder some people's activities or their view or their ventilation, and these things have to be part and parcel of the design in order for all residents to make an informed choice when they decide to cast their vote for or against HIP. So, that is the response.
The other question is about straw polls. A straw poll, as I have said earlier, gives the Working Committee and the HDB project team a sense of what the residents' concerns are. As part of the poll, it gives you the indication as well, the Working Committee. It also allows feedback to be gathered. But if you feel that you want to do away with the straw poll, please let the Working Committee reflect that to HDB.
A quick clarification. Does it mean that the votes gathered in straw polls are not counted? They have to do another poll, the actual poll?
Yes, the straw poll is indicative, and it is to allow feedback to be gathered early so that changes can be taken on board by the Working Committee and the project team before you finalise the package and put it before your residents. The results of the straw poll are not counted towards the actual poll.
PAPERCUTS