Infrastructure & development — Topics

7 May 2024

Enhanced Version of Estate Upgrading Programme for Older Private Estates to Improve Senior-friendly Features

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked whether an enhanced version of the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) could include more senior-friendly features inside homes for older residents in private estates, similar to programmes for public housing.
Desmond Lee responded that the Age Well SG programme will enhance living environments in both HDB and private estates, with the EUP expanded to include senior-friendly features like rest points, ramps, fitness trails, and therapeutic gardens for selected private estates.
A new EUP for Silver Estates will target estates with higher senior concentrations for senior-friendly enhancements, and management corporations can use the Accessibility Fund for common area upgrades in private developments.
For within-home features, HDB’s programmes are tailored for public housing, but designs vary in private homes, so further study is needed to support seniors aging in place in private residences.

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7 May 2024

Requests for Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme to Redevelop Aged Housing Estates

Foo Mee Har asked the Ministry for National Development to consider allowing residents of ageing HDB flats (more than 50 but less than 70 years old) with significant deterioration or recurring maintenance issues to request redevelopment under the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) if there is sufficient support.
Desmond Lee explained that flat owners, Town Councils, and HDB each have roles in maintenance, with existing measures like the Home Improvement Programme for flats around 30 years old and another upgrading round at 60-70 years old to keep flats liveable as they age.
The Minister noted that VERS aims to stage redevelopment of ageing towns in an orderly manner, considering resident feedback, minimising dis-amenities to newer parts of towns, and ensuring construction capacity for both VERS and new housing demand.
Details on the VERS package, including mechanics for polling and relocation, are being worked out to ensure residents' needs are met with sufficient new homes and housing options at the right time.
More details on VERS will be shared in due course as plans are finalised.

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7 May 2024

Rationale for Planned Expansion of Woodlands Checkpoint

The Minister explained that Woodlands Checkpoint has exceeded its design capacity, with daily traveller volumes rising sharply from 230,000 in 2000 to 300,000–340,000 today, and is projected to reach 400,000 by 2050, causing severe congestion that necessitates expansion.
The expansion aims to address current and future pressures by improving traveller experience, future-proofing the checkpoint beyond 2050, and providing buffers to avoid costly reactive adjustments.
Additional land is needed to move security checks away from town areas, contain traffic queues within the checkpoint, and reduce spillover onto local roads, while also enabling more automated lanes to mitigate manpower constraints.
The planned expansion is based on extensive feasibility studies and overall travel demand data, not specific traveller groups, to meet evolving security and operational needs.

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7 May 2024

Measures to Prevent Speeding and Reckless Driving Especially at Accident-prone Junctions

The Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority outlined multi-pronged road safety measures, including designing roads to international standards, implementing Red-Amber-Green arrows at junctions, and creating School and Silver Zones to reduce accidents, with Silver Zones lowering pedestrian accidents by about 80%.
Enforcement against illegal vehicle modifications has been stepped up, with increased penalties since 2021, while data analytics and community feedback guide localised enhancements like speed humps and safety bollards, though direct correlation between modifications and speeding accidents is complex.
LTA reviews and expands safety zones based on local conditions, collaborates with schools and agencies to address congestion, and prioritises at-grade crossings over infrastructure like underground walkways unless terrain or development constraints necessitate them.

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7 May 2024

Visit by King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim

The Speaker welcomed King Sultan Ibrahim of Malaysia, highlighting his diverse military and diplomatic background and his role in strengthening Johor-Singapore ties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Speaker noted the King’s prior recognition by the National University of Singapore and emphasized the strong, ongoing bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia, including regular political exchanges and joint projects.
Singapore and Malaysia are collaborating on key initiatives like the Rapid Transit System Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, with plans to expand into new areas such as energy.
This year marks the centennial of the Causeway, and next year will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, with the visit seen as a precursor to stronger future ties.

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3 Apr 2024

Update on Sports Facilities Master Plan Initiatives to Provide More Sport Facilities in Community Areas

The Ministry, through Sport Singapore’s Vision 2030 Sports Facilities Master Plan, aims to ensure most Singaporeans have access to sport facilities within a 10-minute walk by 2030, including comprehensive centres, school facilities, and free-to-play spaces.
Sport Singapore has completed 10 Sport-in-Precinct facilities with 24 more in development, offering free-to-play options like courts and fitness equipment in HDB estates, and over 370 Dual Use Scheme facilities for weekend public access.
Recent and upcoming openings include Chua Chu Kang and Delta Sport Centres, and new facilities at Kallang, Bedok, and Jurong East, with new centres planned for Clementi and Punggol.
A sport centre in Farrer Park is being explored, featuring a multi-purpose field, swimming complex, halls, community spaces, and a park zone, designed with resident consultations.
The overall goal is to innovate and provide accessible, affordable, and relevant sports facilities across the community to meet future needs.

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3 Apr 2024

Update on HDB Blocks with Flats without Same Floor Lift Access and Projected Number of HDB Blocks to be Offered Lift Upgrading Programme

Since July 2023, two more HDB blocks have completed lift upgrading, leaving 31 blocks currently undergoing works.
HDB has upgraded over 5,000 blocks since 2001, with 99% of blocks now having direct lift access.
Over the next three years, 31 blocks with ongoing works are projected to be progressively completed.
No new blocks are projected to be offered the Lift Upgrading Programme beyond those already in progress.
The remaining 99% coverage indicates minimal blocks still lack same-floor lift access.

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3 Apr 2024

Costs of HDB Green Towns Programme and its Effects on Service and Conservancy Charges for Residents

Hazel Poa asked for the fixed and recurring costs of the HDB Green Towns Programme components and whether residents would bear these costs through higher service and conservancy charges.
Desmond Lee explained that rooftop solar panels are financed, installed, and maintained by vendors at no cost to Town Councils, with any excess energy fed back to the grid and potential savings on common service electricity bills.
Smart LED lighting costs are borne by Town Councils, but these lights can cut energy use by up to 60% compared to conventional LEDs.
EV charging points are installed and maintained by operators, with costs recovered directly from users and not from Town Councils.
The overall programme aims to reduce energy consumption by 15% by 2030, and Town Councils may review service and conservancy charges based on their financial sustainability, but the initiatives are designed to lower operational costs.

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3 Apr 2024

Enhancing Food Waste Reduction Efforts and Efficiency of Food Waste Treatment and Recycling Infrastructure

Member Liang Eng Hwa asked if more can be done to reduce food waste and if current treatment and recycling infrastructure is efficient.
Minister Grace Fu highlighted that food waste is a priority under the Zero Waste Masterplan, with regulations requiring large generators to segregate and report food waste from 2024.
The government is building a Food Waste Treatment Facility at Tuas Nexus to boost treatment capacity and electricity generation.
The National Environment Agency has developed industry standards and guidebooks to minimize food waste and supports donation of excess food to charities.
The Minister noted it is too soon to evaluate the overall efficiency of these recent measures.

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3 Apr 2024

Potential Cross-country Collaboration to Construct Pipelines for Transporting Hydrogen Based on Singapore's National Hydrogen Strategy

The government is exploring low-carbon hydrogen pathways but has no immediate plans for large-scale hydrogen pipelines or storage facilities in Singapore, opting for a cautious approach due to technological and commercial uncertainties.
Priority is given to gaining experience through the ammonia pathfinder project, expected to be implemented by 2028, to study import, storage, distribution, and handling of hydrogen and its carriers.
While cross-country pipeline collaboration is being studied, no specific operational dates are set for such infrastructure to support the National Hydrogen Strategy.

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3 Apr 2024

Installation of Lifts at Pedestrian Overhead Bridge along Sengkang East Drive and Installing Lifts at More Bridges

Louis Chua asked about the feasibility, approvals, and timeline for installing lifts at a Sengkang East Drive pedestrian bridge, while Chee Hong Tat stated the LTA’s retrofitting program prioritizes bridges benefiting seniors and that the process takes up to 22 months, requiring approvals from multiple agencies including BCA, NEA, NParks, PUB, and URA.

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3 Apr 2024

Ensuring Public Access to Golfing Facilities Given Closure of All Public Golf Courses by 2024

The closure of all three public golf courses by 2024 raises concerns about public access, prompting questions about converting private courses for public use and ensuring affordability for schools and students.
The government has extended the tenancy of Mandai Executive Golf Course until 2026 and arranged affordable public slots at Keppel Sime Course to maintain near-term access while balancing land needs for housing and other demands.
Longer-term feasibility studies for public golfing facilities are ongoing, with public accessibility being a key consideration in future agreements, including exploring options like night golfing at Keppel Sime Course.

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2 Apr 2024

Clarification by Minister for National Development

The Gillman Barracks site has been available for interim use since the 1990s with existing tenancies expiring progressively by 2030.
After the tenancies expire, the entire site will be redeveloped to include both residential and commercial uses.
The Ministry will engage current and future tenants regarding the commercial aspects of the site as redevelopment planning proceeds.

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2 Apr 2024

Use of Private Development's Management or Sinking Funds for Construction of Sheltered Walkways to Nearest Bus Stops

Gerald Giam asked whether management corporations can use management or sinking funds to build sheltered walkways from their developments to nearby bus stops for resident safety and convenience.
Desmond Lee stated that management corporations can only use funds for works within their development boundaries, as there are no legal provisions for external projects.
For walkways outside their boundaries, management corporations must approach the Land Transport Authority, which will assess each request individually.

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2 Apr 2024

Government Advisories on Funding by Private Developments for Sheltered Walkways that Connect to Nearest Bus Stops

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked whether LTA advises residential MCSTs to fund sheltered walkways to bus stops on LTA-managed land when requested by residents.
Chee Hong Tat confirmed LTA collaborates with developers to fund linkways beyond developments to transport nodes when not covered by guidelines.
LTA officers erroneously applied this developer practice to residential MCSTs, advising them to fund walkways outside their strata boundary.
Such advice was incorrect as it overlooked the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act, and LTA has taken steps to prevent future errors.

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2 Apr 2024

Planning Required before Public Announcement of Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme

Hazel Poa asked about the planning stages, current status, and commencement of studies and consultations for the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) before full public details are released.
Desmond Lee explained that VERS planning is an iterative, long-term process involving town rejuvenation, infrastructure upgrades, and consideration of construction capacity and resident needs.
The Ministry is working through the VERS package, mechanics, and processes to ensure adequate housing options and is will share details with the public in due course.

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2 Apr 2024

Factoring in Findings from Environmental Impact Studies for Development of Former Keppel Club and Gillman Barracks Sites

The Ministry for National Development will commence environmental and heritage studies for Gillman Barracks in the second quarter of 2024, with the findings to be published online for public feedback, and these plans will incorporate past studies, including the ecological connectivity findings from the Keppel Club site redevelopment.
The Minister confirmed that ecological connectivity identified in the Keppel Club Environmental Impact Study, including corridors between the Southern Ridges and Labrador Nature Reserve, will be considered to prevent significant biodiversity loss in the Gillman Barracks development.
Existing tenancies at Gillman Barracks will not be affected and will expire progressively by 2030; the government will engage tenants and future users as planning progresses, with full environmental and heritage reports made available online for public reference.

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2 Apr 2024

Anticipated Disamenities to Residents and Commuters Due To Reclamation of Land for Woodlands Checkpoint Expansion

Ms Hany Soh raised concerns about potential noise, dust, and traffic disruptions from reclamation works for the Woodlands Checkpoint expansion, asking how the Ministry will mitigate these for residents and commuters.
The Minister of State for Trade and Industry outlined JTC’s mitigation measures, including a 3-metre-high noise barrier, dust control, traffic moderation, and an Environmental Impact Assessment that found minimal biodiversity impact.
Ms Hany Soh asked about bus service changes, environmental restoration, and land acquisition from Malaysia, to which the Minister reassured that operations will not be disrupted and the EIA has been completed and gazetted.
The Minister noted that any issues related to the viaduct through Marsiling Park fall under MHA/ICA’s purview, and a multi-agency approach will address resident feedback and minimize disamenities.

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6 Mar 2024

Fines and Actions against Errant Contractors for Noise-related Infractions Related to North-South Corridor Construction Project

In 2023, the National Environment Agency took one enforcement action against the North-South Corridor contractor along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 for noise infractions, with contractors required to implement noise mitigation measures.
Repeat offenders face additional measures beyond fines, such as restricted working hours and mandatory electronic surveillance at construction sites.
The Ministry, through the Land Transport Authority, employs noise barriers, enclosures, and stakeholder engagement to minimize disruptions, acknowledging the project's proximity to residential areas.
The government balances construction progress with resident concerns, aiming to complete the project by 2029 and repurpose the area for community use post-construction.

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5 Mar 2024

Clarification by Second Minister for National Development

The Second Minister for National Development clarified that earlier questions focused on how more buildings can be accommodated within the 734 square kilometres of land.
The Minister made a factual correction to her previous reply, stating the land area as 734 square kilometres instead of hectares.
The clarification was provided during the Committee of Supply debate for the Ministry of National Development on 5 March 2024.

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