More Toilets along Park Connectors

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for National Development whether NParks will consider installing more toilets along the park connectors.

Madam, over the next five years, NParks plans to build more new toilets across the Park Connector Network (PCN).

As the network is extensive, these toilets will be built at selected locations that are conveniently located where they can best serve park users and the local community.

May I ask the Senior Minister of State whether there are also plans for maintenance of the toilets to make sure that they are kept clean because building toilets are just part of the equation?

Yes.

Can I ask the Senior Minister of State is it possible to share what are the criteria for deciding whether to install a toilet in the parks, small or bigger parks, along the Park Connectors?

Madam, the planning guideline is to provide toilets at about 2.5-kilometre radius from any point along the PCN. There will be signs to direct users to the nearest available toilets located at places such as nearby parks, food centres and shopping malls. At areas where such facilities are not available, NParks will study the feasibility of building toilets.

For regional parks that are meant to serve park users beyond the immediate vicinity, the planning parameter is to provide toilets at every 500-metre to one-kilometre intervals depending on other factors, such as terrain, availability of space, proximity to sewer lines and so on. For public parks where spaces are available and where there can be cost-effective connections to existing sewer lines, NParks will study the feasibility of providing toilets.