Timely Replacement of Faulty Equipment in Public Playgrounds

Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry requires that faulty equipment in public and HDB playground equipment must be replaced quickly; (b) whether there are provisions in relevant vendor contracts to ensure timely replacement of faulty equipment; and (c) if not, whether the Ministry plans to include such clauses in vendor contracts as part of procurement requirements.

Town Councils are responsible for managing and maintaining the common property in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates, including playgrounds. Periodic maintenance checks on playgrounds and other facilities in HDB estates are carried out by the respective Town Councils.

Town Councils should rectify defective equipment expeditiously based on the prevailing industry standards, including Singapore Standards SS457 on public playground equipment, to ensure that the equipment is safe for public use. Town Councils' playground maintenance contracts typically contain clauses that stipulate rectification requirements, such as repairs or replacements.