Infrastructure & development

Pritam Singh asked about the planned construction of new public rental units by the Ministry for National Development over the next five years. Chee Hong Tat responded that approximately 4,600 public rental flats are expected to be completed during that period.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised questions about the potential expansion of Sengkang Public Library due to the upcoming integrated community hub and the need for additional expansion following the 2017 update. Mrs Josephine Teo responded that the National Library Board's (NLB) Libraries of the Future Masterplan supports branch libraries with larger regional ones that offer more services. The Sengkang Library was expanded by 18% during its last revamp in 2017, and since then, Punggol Library has opened. The NLB will continue to review library collections and services to meet community needs.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the current number of commercial dormitory beds and future projections for the next three years, as well as the possibility of increasing supply through land sales or conversions. Tan See Leng confirmed there are around 250,000 commercial dormitory beds, with a projected net increase of about 27,000 beds, including new government-purpose built dormitories expected by 2026 and 2028. The Government collaborates with the dormitory industry to enhance supply through lease extensions, allowing more beds in existing facilities, and facilitating new Factory-Converted Dormitories within industrial estates. Additionally, the Government encourages employers, especially in Construction, to establish Temporary Quarters to meet accommodation needs.

Joan Pereira asked about plans for the temporary facilities following the World Aquatics Championships 2025. David Neo announced that the WCH Arena will be used until 2030, based on positive feedback from attendees. The arena will be available for public use and national team training, allowing Singaporeans to swim where international athletes competed. It may also host future aquatics events, including the Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games in 2029. The public can expect access to the WCH Arena by the end of October, with more details to come.

Saktiandi Supaat questioned whether the Government plans to expand the scope of Singapore's sovereign green bond issuances beyond major infrastructure projects like the Cross Island Line and Jurong Region Line. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Government only borrows for significant long-term infrastructure under the Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Act (SINGA) and that current sovereign green bonds comply with the established frameworks. He confirmed there are no plans to include additional categories for green bond issuances. Additionally, he noted that Statutory Boards have issued their own green bonds to finance projects related to green buildings and sustainable management.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong sought updates on coastal protection studies in northern and western Singapore, including Jurong Island, aimed at addressing sea level rise. Grace Fu Hai Yien confirmed that studies for the north-west coast are underway, expected to be completed by 2026, with additional studies for the south-west coast starting in 2026 and both targeted for completion by 2030. Studies for the north and north-east coast will take place later. Following these studies, design work will occur before construction starts in the 2030s.

David Hoe asked about the deployment status of EV chargers in HDB carparks, specifically regarding progress towards the 60,000 charging points target by 2030, the criteria for requesting additional chargers, and the possibility of expedited deployments. Jeffrey Siow reported that over 25,000 EV charging points are currently in use, with more than 7,500 installed in about 85% of HDB carparks, and confirmed that the targets for accessibility and deployment are on track. The Land Transport Authority is monitoring usage rates and plans to increase the number of chargers based on demand and capacity, ensuring more charging points will be available in the future.

Elysa Chen asked the Minister for Education about the possibility of establishing more primary schools in the Bishan East-Sin Ming region due to increasing enrolment demands and the need to reduce travel distances for students. Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry of Education regularly reviews school demand and supply, and for this region, there is currently sufficient primary school capacity within one to two kilometers. He noted that the projected increase in demand from new housing developments is balanced by a decrease in demand from older areas of Bishan. Therefore, there are no immediate plans to build new schools, as the Ministry aims to prevent oversupply and ensure a diverse range of programs. Monitoring will continue to address changes in demand.

Mariam Jaafar asked about the Ministry of Transport's monitoring of road safety and maintenance in areas with heavy construction, like Woodlands, and measures for timely and durable repairs. Jeffrey Siow responded that critical defects, such as potholes, are addressed within a day, while the Land Transport Authority (LTA) employs a comprehensive inspection regime, including regular inspections using video analytics. LTA is exploring using cameras on public buses for defect detection and collaborating with industry and academic institutions to develop more durable road materials to reduce maintenance needs.

Lee Hui Ying raised concerns with the Minister for National Development about measures to expedite the completion of HDB projects with longer waiting times exceeding five years. The Minister detailed HDB's strategies to reduce waiting times, emphasizing prioritizing ready sites, innovative procurement, and expediting approvals, leading to 70% of flats launched from 2023 to 2025 having waiting times of four years or less. Lee proposed creating an incentive system for contractors who complete projects ahead of schedule, addressing concerns about longer waiting times for some developments, and suggested a Build-Before-Order model to shorten perceived waiting periods. In response, the Minister acknowledged the need for faster builds, mentioned programs like the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme to support affected families, and highlighted ongoing efforts to increase the supply of shorter waiting time flats.

• Ms. Joan Pereira inquired about the progress of installing Red-Amber-Green (RAG) arrows at traffic junctions and the potential elimination of discretionary right turns.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is nearing completion of the installation of 200 additional RAG arrows, aiming for a total of approximately 1,400 by the end of 2025.
• Most remaining junctions without RAG arrows have single right-turn lanes and will be reviewed for RAG arrow installation during future road developments.

• The construction of Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5) is scheduled for completion in the mid-2030s, with groundbreaking having occurred in May 2025.
• Contracts for initial construction phases, including tunnels and substructure works, were awarded in the first half of 2025.
• Future tenders for above-ground construction and the ground transportation center will be awarded in the coming years.
• T5 will feature an underground automated people mover and baggage handling system to connect it to Terminal 2, ensuring seamless transfers.

• Approximately 77,000 foreign-registered vehicles enter Singapore daily, with 82% being motorcycles, representing about 8% of the local vehicle population.
• Foreign-registered vehicles must obtain a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) or an ASEAN Goods Vehicle Permit (GVP), which are tied to road tax and insurance.
• Plans are in place to enhance the transport network, including the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which will streamline travel and immigration processes for commuters.
• The RTS Link will connect directly to the Woodlands North MRT station, improving access to the public transport network.

• Investigations into the fatal wall collapse at Toh Close on 17 September 2025 are ongoing, with the Ministry of Manpower and the Building and Construction Authority involved.
• Preliminary inspections indicate no structural safety concerns for surrounding buildings, and measures have been ordered to stabilize the affected retaining wall.
• Current safety requirements mandate checks on surrounding structures and adequate shoring during construction, but a review of these measures may occur after the investigations conclude.
• The Ministry of Manpower plans to share key findings and recommendations to enhance safety practices in the construction industry following the investigation.

• Ms. Gho Sze Kee inquired about the validity of the projected lifespan of Semakau Landfill in light of current waste generation and recycling trends, as well as future options once it reaches capacity.
• Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien confirmed that Semakau Landfill is expected to reach full capacity around 2035 based on current waste disposal rates.
• The National Environment Agency is implementing measures to promote recycling and reduce waste, while also exploring solutions to repurpose waste residues, including incineration ash for land reclamation.

• The Singapore government is investing $150 million in drainage projects for FY2025 to enhance flood resilience, with four out of 19 ongoing projects already completed.
• Three of the six new projects planned for 2025 have begun, with the remaining three set to start within the year.
• Since 2011, approximately S$2.5 billion has been spent on upgrading drainage infrastructure, averaging S$180 million annually.
• Comparisons of Singapore's flood resilience spending with cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo are deemed unhelpful due to differing environmental conditions and infrastructure needs.
• A review of the drainage infrastructure plan for FY2026 to FY2030 is underway, which will outline key projects for the next five years.

• The Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) for Jalan Naung and Realty Park private estates is set to begin by mid-2026.
• The initial phase will involve design and planning, with tenders for consultants to be called by the end of 2025.
• Planned enhancements include recreational spaces, improved connectivity features, and estate markers.

• The debate focused on the progress of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure installation in public spaces and HDB car parks in Singapore.
• Christopher de Souza raised questions about the current status and future plans for accelerating the roll-out of EV chargers in response to increasing EV adoption.
• Jeffrey Siow reported that there are over 25,000 EV charging points nationwide, with a target of 60,000 by 2030, and more than 7,500 chargers installed in HDB car parks.
• The government aims to ensure every HDB resident has convenient access to an EV charger by the end of the year, while monitoring charger usage and adapting to new technologies.
• The Land Transport Authority is committed to scaling up the deployment of chargers in areas with high demand, considering electrical capacity.

• Joan Pereira raised concerns about climate change impacting weather patterns and the increasing demand for sports facilities in Singapore, suggesting the conversion of dead spaces under infrastructure into sporting facilities.
• David Neo from Sport Singapore highlighted ongoing efforts to develop various sports facilities, including the transformation of underutilized spaces like the CTE viaduct into sports courts and fitness areas.
• SportSG is actively repurposing spaces, including rooftops of car parks, for recreational use and plans to collaborate with other agencies to identify more opportunities for utilizing these areas.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Minister for National Development regarding the evaluation framework for the success of the Pulau Tekong polder project, including its suitability for various uses and the consideration of long-term climate adaptation costs against initial sand savings. Chee Hong Tat explained that the project created 800 hectares of new land and achieved significant sand savings compared to traditional methods. The development includes infrastructure for climate resilience, with options for future adaptation regarding sea level rise. While primarily intended for military use, the land may also support residential, commercial, or industrial development. Maintenance costs are being monitored as the project stabilizes.