Debated in Parliament on 13 Jul 2015.
Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) when will NEA announce the details of its enhanced "Rat Attack" programme; (b) what is the new subsidy quantum to be provided to Town Councils under this programme; and (c) which Town Councils have signed up for the two-year "Rat Attack" programme since 2011.
My Ministry has been working with the Town Councils (TCs) to control the rodent population in our public housing estates. To assist the TCs, my Ministry provided co-funding for the treatment of rodent burrows under the Rat Attack Programme. Fifteen TCs have come on board the programme since 2011, including Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East TC.
Our studies have shown that rodents are adapting well to our urban environment, moving beyond burrows and multiplying quickly in poorly managed bin centres and bin chutes. The TCs have also provided feedback that the Rat Attack programme should directly target the rodent population at its source. To help the TCs reduce the rodent population more effectively, we have revised the Rat Attack programme to shift its focus from treating rodent burrows to culling rodents in bin centres and bin chutes where their food sources are. Details of the revised programme will be announced by the end of this month.
The tackling of the rodent infestation issue requires every stakeholder to play his part. My Ministry will review the Rat Attack programme and the enforcement regime for rodent infestation from time to time. We strongly encourage all TCs to come on board the revised Rat Attack programme to reduce the rodent population in our public housing estates.
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