Debated in Parliament on 6 Feb 2024.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry can expedite the approval process to set up vending machines for food and essential items at the HDB BTO Jurong West Jewel project as residents have shifted in and there are no convenience stores nearby to buy food and other daily necessities.
Housing and Development Board (HDB) towns are designed to be self-sufficient while ensuring easy access to a wide range of facilities, including commercial facilities, to the meet the needs of residents. Most HDB residents would generally be able to access a commercial facility within 400 metres from their homes, or a walk of five to 10 minutes.
This is the same for residents of Jurong West Jewel, who are currently served by an eating house and a convenience store within a 400-metre radius. HDB is also building an eating house, a minimart, and shops at Jurong West Crystal, an upcoming Build-To-Order site adjacent to Jurong West Jewel. When completed, these new facilities will provide additional food and beverage and retail options for Jurong West Jewel residents.
To better meet the needs of residents, HDB is assessing the market and technical viability of setting up vending machines for food and essential items at Jurong West Jewel.
After HDB completes the technical assessment and identifies a suitable site, the site will be let out via an open tender. This ensures a fair and competitive selection process, in line with the approach taken for HDB’s other commercial properties.
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