Debated in Parliament on 8 Sep 2026.
Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for National Development following public feedback from the Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest housing proposals (a) what changes have been made to how HDB and URA conduct public consultation for major development sites; (b) whether announcements of future developments will immediately precede with a consultation process; and (c) whether the Ministry will publish how public feedback has altered final development plans.
My response will also cover related questions raised by Ms Rachel Ong and Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong, for subsequent Sittings. [Please refer to "Conducting Environmental Impact Assessments at Master Planning Stage", Official Report, 9 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 36, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section; "Data on Environmental Impact Assessments Commissioned, Project Outcomes and Recommendations Adopted Since 2019, and Transparency and Public Participation Since 2020", Official Report, 9 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 36, Written Answers to Questions section; "Biodiversity Studies for Tagore Forest", Official Report, 10 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 37, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section; "Adequacy of Ecological Corridor Width and Greater Forest Retention at Gillman Barracks Development in Light of Environmental Impact Assessment Recommendations and Biodiversity Considerations", Official Report, 10 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 37, Written Answers to Questions section; and "Mandatory Elements of NParks Biodiversity Impact Assessment Guidelines, Justification for Deviations, Independence of Compliance Reviews and Strengthening Mandatory Requirements", Official Report, 10 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 37, Written Answers to Questions section.]
The sites at Sunset Way and Gillman Barracks are required for housing, while the proposed new western island is being studied for other strategic national needs, including in security, energy and industry.
The Government engages stakeholders on land use planning at multiple stages. As part of the Long-Term Plan (LTP) Review, the Urban Redevelopment Authority consults members of the public, nature and heritage groups, industry professionals and academics when setting out the planning vision for Singapore over the next 50 to 60 years. Guided by the National Parks Board's islandwide Ecological Profiling Exercise, which was conducted in consultation with an independent scientific Advisory Panel, a conceptual Green and Blue Plan was created as part of the LTP to guide long-term development strategies, including the identification of ecological corridors to safeguard ecological connectivity.
The long-term planning vision is then translated into the Master Plan to guide implementation over the next 10 to 15 years. We seek public feedback on the Master Plan through public exhibitions, and in-depth focus group discussions with a wide range of stakeholders.
At the site level, proposed developments with potentially significant environmental impact are required to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to assess the magnitude of the impact and propose appropriate mitigation measures. An EIA is conducted only when a particular development proposal is being studied, as it requires up-to-date environmental baseline information, as well as conceptual development plans and scope of work.
During the EIA process, agencies will carefully consider the extent of potential impact and adequacy of the proposed mitigation measures, in consultation with nature and community stakeholders. For example, in designing Berlayar Estate, the Housing and Development Board worked closely with nature groups and took in their feedback and suggestions to shape the green corridors within the site. These corridors will offer green respite and recreational areas for residents and facilitate ecological connectivity between the Southern Ridges and Labrador Nature Reserve.
EIA reports, including executive summaries, are made available for public feedback. Agencies carefully consider the feedback received and may make revisions to the conceptual plans. A revised EIA report with responses to the feedback will then be published.
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