Publication of Environmental Impact Assessments

Madam, Tengah is slated for new town development. As part of responsible development, HDB is conducting an environmental baseline study so as to better understand the existing topography, hydrology, flora and existing wildlife in the area. We will share the key findings of the study with the public in due course.

One key feature which HDB has planned is the Forest Corridor which is approximately 100 metres wide and 5 kilometres long and will serve as a wildlife connector between the Western Water Catchment Area and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The plan is also to replace the concrete canal with a naturalised stream and water body. NParks will separately study how to retain the existing greenery within the Forest Corridor, as well as to enhance it by introducing more native forest species. Over time, this Forest Corridor is envisioned to be a lush habitat supporting the rich biodiversity.

HDB will put in place wildlife management strategies, which will include shepherding wildlife to the adjacent forest areas that will not be developed in the short term. This is to minimise potential impact on wildlife within the development sites when works are in progress.

Madam, I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. Can I check if there is a timeline for the baseline studies that the Minister of State mentioned and will we actually be doing an EIA or EIS instead? Also, is MND or HDB working with any of the wildlife or nature groups with regard to this study?

First, with regard to the environmental baseline study, we expect it to be completed by the first half of 2017. Second, we are conducting an environmental baseline study because Tengah is made up of young secondary forests, scrubland, abandoned sundry cultivation like kampongs, farms and orchards, and old brickworks that were demolished in 2008. It was then used as a military training ground. Hence, we are conducting an environmental baseline study, together with other studies, as I have earlier mentioned. HDB is consulting various stakeholders, which include nature and animal welfare groups.

Madam, just a few supplementary questions for the Senior Minister of State. In relation to this EIA, is it the case that, henceforth, all EIA or EIS studies will be made public if there are done, unless there are specific national security considerations that prohibit public release and, if that is not the case, then why is that not the case?

Madam, I have responded to the Member some time ago when we discussed the process for the Cross-Island Line study. It is the case that for these environmental impact assessments and, in this case, the environmental baseline study, the findings will be made public, unless there are specific considerations that require otherwise.