Sharing of Costs for Maintenance of HDB Car Parks Co-located with Commercial Properties and for Clearance of Renovation Debris

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the justification behind HDB's decision to cease charging haulage fees for clearing renovation debris in new housing developments after 2012; (b) whether this has reduced renovation debris dumped at new development sites; (c) what has HDB done to prevent the build-up of bulky refuse and renovation debris dumped at carparks or empty spaces under HDB’s maintenance in newly completed BTO projects, such as Rivervale Shores; and (d) what corrective measures will HDB take when build-up of refuse and debris occur.

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development what are the reasons for the lack of preventive measures to prevent and address the build-up of bulky refuse and renovation debris in or around August 2023 at the Rivervale Shores HDB BTO project carpark, which is under the responsibility and management of HDB.

Town Councils are responsible for managing and maintaining the HDB common property. Town Councils are also appointed by HDB to maintain car parks. This includes cleaning, and regulating the proper disposal of bulky refuse and debris. Since the establishment of the Town Councils in 1989, HDB has stopped providing haulage and debris removal services in new housing developments. Town Councils may consider providing haulage and debris removal services to keep common areas and car parks in HDB estates clean.

Since 2019, all 78 new HDB car parks which are standalone and not part of any commercial developments are maintained by the Town Councils. Apart from Rivervale Shores, three other car park projects were progressively handed over to the respective Town Councils. All previous handovers went smoothly. Where car parks are opened in phases, it may not be practical to carry out joint inspections for every phase of the car park’s opening.

For the Rivervale Shores HDB project, which was a large development with 2,500 units compared to typical developments, the car park was progressively handed over in phases since May 2023, to allow residents to benefit from the use of the car park as soon as possible.

The root cause of the build-up of bulky refuse and renovation debris around August 2023 was the indiscriminate dumping by renovation contractors, delivery personnel and movers. This is despite the Town Council’s efforts to clear the renovation debris on a weekly basis since May and their public education efforts.

Measures are in place to address these problems. First, renovation contractors carrying out works in HDB flats are required to properly dispose of renovation debris at NEA-approved disposal sites by the end of each workday. HDB sends circulars to remind contractors listed on HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors on the proper disposal of renovation debris.

Second, we have a system of penalties to take irresponsible renovation contractors to task. Renovation contractors found to have improperly disposed renovation debris on the common areas of HDB estates may face a financial penalty of $500 and incur six demerit points. Renovation contractors who have accumulated 24 demerit points within a 24-month period may be barred from carrying out new renovation works in HDB flats for the next 12 months.

Third, HDB does carry out enforcement action. Between 2018 to 2022, an average of five renovation contractors per year were penalised with $500 and six demerit points for the improper disposal of renovation debris. Since the start of 2023, HDB has taken action against eight contractors. These contractors may be debarred from carrying out renovation work for a year once they have accumulated 24 demerit points within a 24-month rolling period.

Town Councils are also empowered under the Town Councils Act to make by-laws to allow them to take action against illegal dumping at HDB common areas. This may include issuing a notice of composition to errant contractors for improperly discarding renovation debris at the common areas.

Maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility and we can all play a part.

HDB will work closely with Town Councils to step up public education and strengthen surveillance and enforcement on contractors. Besides renovation contractors, HDB also sends regular circulars to educate other stakeholders, such as the Singapore Furniture Association, retailers as well as delivery companies, on the proper disposal of bulky items, such as cardboards and styrofoam. HDB also made various efforts to educate residents on the proper disposal of bulky items and packing materials through the use of collaterals, short videos and posters co-branded with Town Councils screened on HDB’s and Town Councils’ Digital Display Panels (DDPs), Branch Offices and town plazas.

Residents can help to look out for and report indiscriminate dumping via the MSO OneService App.

Going forward, HDB is introducing measures, such as providing additional capacity for waste disposal at new BTO precincts during the initial months when residents are moving in, as well as using technology for surveillance. We will share successful pilots with Town Councils.