Infrastructure & development

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the possibility of mandating a minimum number of seating areas in shopping malls to support the elderly and those with mobility challenges. Desmond Lee responded that the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) requires compliance with the Code on Accessibility, which mandates resting areas with seats along long paths within buildings, spaced no more than 50 meters apart. The BCA provides Universal Design Guides for additional accessibility features and regularly reviews the Code to meet population needs. Currently, a Draft Code for 2025 under public consultation proposes requiring at least one seating area at passenger alighting and boarding points.

Leong Mun Wai asked about the future uses planned for the interim bus park at Boon Lay Place and whether users would be consulted regarding alternative parking options. Desmond Lee responded that agencies are studying plans to rejuvenate the Boon Lay Neighbourhood Centre, which includes the bus park, to meet the needs of residents and enhance community appeal. Engagements with the bus park operator have begun, and more information will be provided later.

He Ting Ru questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about the cost of importing clean electricity from Indonesia compared to other sources, the financial status of Indonesian import projects, and safeguards against renegotiated pricing terms. Gan Kim Yong stated that the Energy Market Authority has conditionally approved seven projects to import 3.4 GW of electricity from Indonesia, with five projects progressing toward financial close by 2025 and commercial operations expected from 2028. Additionally, ongoing negotiations for Power Purchase Agreements are focused on securing mutually acceptable terms for pricing and contract duration. The government plans to diversify electricity imports from other countries while ensuring energy security through natural gas and local backup generation.

Gan Thiam Poh requested a feasibility study on connecting the Cross Island MRT Line's Punggol extension to Yio Chu Kang MRT station for better access to residents along Yio Chu Kang Road and Fernvale. Chee Hong Tat responded that there are currently no plans to extend the Punggol extension beyond Punggol station. Residents in Yio Chu Kang and Fernvale already have access to multiple MRT lines and bus services, and upcoming transport expansions will enhance connectivity. The Land Transport Authority will continually evaluate future transport infrastructure needs based on various factors, including land use developments and travel demand.

Hany Soh questioned the Minister for National Development about how the HDB balances public housing needs with environmental preservation related to the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Woodlands N1 site. Desmond Lee referenced a previous response given on 7 January 2025 regarding housing developments in Sembawang and Woodlands. He suggested reviewing the official report for detailed information on timelines and environmental assessments.

Gan Thiam Poh raised questions about the adequacy of HDB and public car parks in light of the upcoming increase of 20,000 COEs and the maximum car population increase that would necessitate further adjustments to parking facilities. Desmond Lee clarified that the Land Transport Authority will incrementally release the COEs starting February 2025, with this increase representing about 2% of the current vehicle population. He assured that national public car parks have enough capacity to support the expected rise in season parking demand, with most residential car parks having over 10% of lots unallocated. Lee acknowledged occasional local shortages in parking and stated that monitoring and demand management measures are implemented to address these issues.

He Ting Ru asked about the operational reasons for the differences in bus boarding ramp deployment for wheelchair users versus parents with strollers and the resources allocated for improving public transport accessibility for families. Chee Hong Tat explained that parents can board from either door and seek assistance with the ramp, while wheelchair users have a standard procedure for ramp deployment due to their unique needs. He noted that stroller restraints have been added to bus wheelchair bays and highlighted that all new bus interchanges are designed with family-friendly features, with upgrades to existing interchanges planned when feasible. Additionally, all stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line and upcoming lines include family-friendly facilities.

Desmond Choo raised concerns about the impact of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link on various sectors in Singapore, including retail and the job market. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan, referenced a previous written response and acknowledged merchants' concerns regarding the potential benefits skewed towards one side. Hany Soh suggested a comprehensive approach to improve the overall appeal of areas like Woodlands to attract Malaysian visitors, while Alvin Tan highlighted existing Government efforts to enhance neighbourhood centres and support local businesses. Lim Biow Chuan emphasized the broader implications for all retail industries, pointing out that Singaporeans are likely to shop in Johor due to lower prices, and urged the Ministry to consider strategies for the entire retail sector.

Ang Wei Neng requested information from the Minister for Transport regarding passenger numbers and capacity rates at Changi Airport for 2024, as well as updates on the construction of Terminal 5. The Minister confirmed that Changi Airport handled about 61 million passengers from January to November 2024, forecasting that annual traffic will nearly reach pre-pandemic levels and likely exceed them in 2025. Terminal 5 is scheduled to begin construction in the first half of 2025 and will increase capacity by 50 million passengers annually. Preparations for rising demand include a $3 billion investment over six years to enhance services across Terminals 1 to 4, and the aviation workforce has already surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels. The Minister also addressed concerns related to the recent Jeju Air incident, stating that investigations are ongoing and that safety measures are in place at Singapore's airports to prevent similar events.

• Mr. Lim Biow Chuan inquired about the number of outstanding projects connecting covered linkways to MRT stations and suggested that the LTA should enhance its resources to expedite these works.
• Chee Hong Tat from the LTA stated that the authority aims to complete covered linkways alongside new station openings, but delays can occur due to site constraints and community concerns.
• The LTA is committed to resolving these issues quickly to ensure residents have timely access to sheltered linkways connecting to mass rapid transit stations.

• Ms. Hazel Poa inquired about the proposed service pattern for the Circle Line after the completion of Stage 6 in 2026, including potential impacts on service frequencies due to the Dhoby Ghaut to Promenade branch.
• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, stated that the Land Transport Authority and the operator are reviewing the future service pattern for the Circle Line post-Stage 6.
• The new service pattern will consider current and projected ridership to optimize capacity, similar to the existing service pattern.

• Usha Chandradas inquired about the relocation plans for the Singapore Art Museum due to the Greater Southern Waterfront project.
• Edwin Tong Chun Fai responded that the Singapore Art Museum will remain at Tanjong Pagar Distripark for the foreseeable future.
• The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth will collaborate with the museum to maintain its operations and programming during the area's development.

• Ms. He Ting Ru inquired about the projected percentage of total electricity consumption attributed to data centres as their capacities are set to increase by a third.
• She also questioned whether this increase aligns with Singapore's goal for greenhouse gas emissions to peak in 2028.
• Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed the government's plan to add at least 300 megawatts of data centre capacity, emphasizing that this growth aligns with the emissions peak target.

• The addition of six new trains and the opening of Punggol Coast MRT Station will increase the North-East Line's (NEL) capacity from 36 to 42 trains.
• The Land Transport Authority will monitor ridership and adjust train frequencies accordingly, ensuring sufficient capacity while maintaining safety and reliability.
• The implementation timeline for the increased frequency has not been specified, and adjustments will depend on various factors throughout the day and year.

• The Amber Road plot is being rezoned from "Reserved" to "Residential" to meet housing demand driven by changing household trends post-COVID-19.
• The Land Transport Authority has determined that the existing road infrastructure can accommodate the expected increase in traffic due to the new residential development.
• The recent opening of the Tanjong Katong Thomson-East Coast Line Station is expected to further support traffic management in the area.
• The Amber Road area is already well-equipped with public parks and recreational spaces, with plans for a new park along Tanjong Katong Road to enhance local amenities.

• The debate focused on development plans and timelines for housing in the Marsiling, Woodlands, and Sembawang areas, with specific concerns about environmental impacts and endangered species.
• Members of Parliament raised questions regarding the criteria for evaluating mitigation measures in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and the involvement of independent experts in monitoring these measures.
• The Minister for National Development emphasized the need to balance land use for housing and economic needs with environmental preservation, highlighting the ongoing Draft Master Plan 2025 review.
• The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is engaging the public for input on development plans, with a focus on sensitive development that retains ecological value.
• Environmental Impact Assessments for the Woodlands N1 and Sembawang N4 sites have been commissioned, with measures proposed to mitigate impacts on local flora and fauna, and compliance will be monitored by independent consultants and regulatory agencies.

• The Minister reported that nine of the 14 construction worksites with fatalities in late 2024 were issued stop-work orders due to inadequate safety systems, and the Safety Time-out in November 2024 was a voluntary measure to boost awareness, with broader enforcement and video surveillance also implemented.
• Officials outlined multi-agency efforts, including the Safety Disqualification Framework that debars contractors with poor safety records from public projects and requires external audits after serious lapses, while noting that fatalities remain over-represented in construction despite an overall low national fatality rate.
• During the debate, MPs questioned the effectiveness of the Safety Time-out, the profile of companies involved in fatalities, and whether deaths automatically trigger debarment, with the Minister confirming a demerit points system that debars firms for at least three months after a fatality and noting challenges with smaller firms in non-public projects.

• The $900 million Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme aims to improve bus access for residents in newer housing precincts like Keat Hong Close, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 7, and Keat Hong Link, which are farther from town centres and MRT stations, with ongoing LTA reviews and stakeholder engagement.
• Current services include eight bus routes and the Keat Hong LRT, with recent additions like service 983M to Teck Whye schools and service 188 to Jurong East Central, alongside existing connections to Choa Chu Kang amenities via services 172, 307, 991, and others.
• Residents in Keat Hong Close have raised concerns about limited connectivity due to it being a closed loop with only one bus service, prompting a call for a thorough review to enhance accessibility and safety.
• The Minister of State assured continued LTA collaboration with community stakeholders to review bus services under the BCEP, especially for new precincts, to address feedback and improve connectivity.

Derrick Goh asked about the completion timeline for the dedicated public access route to the new Indoor Sports Hall at North View Primary School for local residents. Chan Chun Sing responded that the access route was completed in June 2024. He mentioned that Closed Circuit Televisions are being installed for safety and security, and the Indoor Sports Hall is expected to be available for public booking under the ActiveSG Dual-Use Scheme by January 2025.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for National Development about the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS), including its installations, costs, savings, beneficiaries, and evaluation processes. Desmond Lee detailed that approximately 40 HDB precincts have PWCS, which utilizes automated waste collection but has higher operational costs compared to traditional methods, primarily borne by the Government and Town Councils. Residents benefit from PWCS through cleaner waste management and more space for amenities, while the system is expected to become more cost-efficient as more units are added. The Government regularly reviews PWCS implementation and supports Town Councils adopting this system.