Infrastructure & development — Topics

19 Sep 2023

Likely Effect of El Niño Weather Pattern on Singapore in Coming Year

Gerald Giam asked how El Niño will affect Singapore and what preparations are being made for drier weather, especially concerning water supply from local catchment and imported sources.
Grace Fu explained that El Niño will bring drier and warmer conditions over the next one to two months, lasting until early 2024, with peak warmth expected from March to April 2024.
To safeguard water security, Singapore employs the Four National Taps strategy, diversifying sources so that NEWater and desalinated water remain weather-resilient despite potential impacts on local and imported water.
The Public Utilities Board is investing long-term to enhance drought resilience, and all residents are urged to use water wisely to support sustainability.

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19 Sep 2023

Parking Facilities for Marine Offshore Workers who Carry Heavy Gear to Vessels at Marina South Pier and Marina Bay Cruise Centre

Mariam Jaafar asked if more parking can be provided for marine offshore workers carrying heavy gear at Marina South Pier and Marina Bay Cruise Centre.
Chee Hong Tat stated both locations have limited parking, with Marina South Pier having 59 lots and Marina Bay Cruise Centre having 323 visitor lots, and no plans to expand due to space constraints.
Workers can use loading bays at Marina South Pier and then park at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, a 10-minute walk away, if lots are unavailable.
A new multi-storey car park adjacent to Marina South Pier is planned under "The WAVES" development and will be completed by 2026.
The response notes no season parking at Marina Bay Cruise Centre and includes details on visitor lot availability.

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19 Sep 2023

MRT Stations and Bus Interchanges with at least One Lactation Room and Breastfeeding Room

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested an update on the percentage of MRT stations and bus interchanges with at least one lactation room and breastfeeding room, and asked if it could be made compulsory for all to have one.
As of 31 August 2023, 60% of bus interchanges and all interchange stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line have a baby care room with nursing facilities, and all new stations and interchanges will include them.
For existing MRT stations and bus interchanges, the Land Transport Authority will consider providing baby care rooms during upgrading works, depending on space and technical feasibility.

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19 Sep 2023

Growing Renewable Energy Adoption to Meet Net-zero Carbon Emissions Pledge

Singapore is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is increasing the supply of low-carbon energy domestically, including maximizing solar deployment and funding research into new solar technologies.
The country targets importing up to 4 GW of low-carbon electricity by 2035, with conditional approvals for 3 GW from Cambodia and Indonesia, and is exploring hydrogen, deep geothermal, and carbon sequestration options.
Natural gas will remain a significant transition fuel to balance energy security, sustainability, and cost competitiveness while decarbonizing the power sector.

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19 Sep 2023

Speeding Up Drainage Improvement Works at Bukit Timah Canal between Rifle Range Road and Jalan Kampong Chantek

Christopher de Souza asked if drainage improvement works along Bukit Timah Canal between Rifle Range Road and Jalan Kampong Chantek could be expedited.
The Minister explained that PUB has been upgrading the canal to increase its capacity by 30%, with completion now delayed to 2026 due to coordination with NParks' Bukit Timah-Rochor Green Corridor project to minimize disruption.
PUB has invested $2 billion in drainage improvements over the past decade and allocated $1.4 billion for further works from 2021 to 2025, plus $3 billion for water supply resilience amid climate change.
Interim flood mitigation measures, such as raising a section of Dunearn Road and deepening another stretch of the canal, were completed in 2022 to reduce risks during construction.
The Minister noted that managing flood risks is a collective effort and encouraged the public to use PUB's communication channels for flood warnings, as occasional flash floods are inevitable due to climate change.

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18 Sep 2023

Payment of Land Costs for New Hawker Centres Built

Leong Mun Wai asked whether land costs for new hawker centres are paid into past reserves, the total amount paid in the last decade, and if land cost affects the frequency and location of new centres.
Grace Fu Hai Yien clarified that standalone hawker centres are built on state land used by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, so no land cost is paid into past reserves as there is no disposal.
For hawker centres in integrated developments, the ministry pays rent to the land or building owner.
Land cost is not a factor in deciding how many new hawker centres are built or where they are located; decisions are based on residential catchment and the availability of dining options.

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18 Sep 2023

Selection Criteria for Main Contractors of HDB BTO Projects

Contractors must be registered with the Building and Construction Authority, meet financial and credit rating requirements, have prior high-rise experience, and are allocated tenders based on performance scores, with restrictions for poor performers and suspension for repeated issues.
HDB uses a Price Quality Method to evaluate bids based on price and quality, considering contractor performance, safety, financial health, and assessments, and implements a quality management system including approved material sourcing, in-process checks, and inspections.
HDB monitors construction progress closely, works with contractors and consultants to meet critical milestones, and if a contractor is terminated mid-project, facilitates a smooth transition by connecting the replacement contractor with existing sub-contractors and ensuring timely delivery.

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18 Sep 2023

Ensuring Grid Reliability with Increasing Electricity Demand and Retiring of Older Power Generation Plants

The Minister confirmed that the current reserve margin exceeds the 27% requirement but may decline with rising demand, with sufficient generation capacity planned to meet the reserve margin.
The Energy Market Authority has launched a Centralised Process for new generation capacity, starting with a Request for Proposal in 2023 for needs in 2028, balancing grid reliability and avoiding overcapacity.
To address potential delays, the EMA is coordinating with generation companies on measures like temporary generation units and reviewing the retirement of older plants.
The government remains committed to decarbonising the power sector by 2050 through solar expansion, low-carbon electricity imports, and exploring alternatives like hydrogen, while introducing emission standards by end-2023.
Consideration of extending older plants is a contingency to ensure grid reliability, but it is managed alongside decarbonisation plans to minimize environmental risks.

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3 Aug 2023

Construction of Higher Road Divider Barriers in Accident-prone Areas

Melvin Yong asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA will consider building higher road divider barriers in accident-prone areas to prevent serious injuries and fatalities from speeding vehicles.
The Minister, represented by Chee Hong Tat, stated that LTA regularly reviews accident data to identify high-risk areas and conducts detailed investigations for additional safety measures.
These measures include road improvements like traffic calming, signage, and safety barriers to prevent vehicles from crossing over, as well as education campaigns to promote safer behavior.
LTA and the Traffic Police will also collaborate to increase enforcement at these locations to deter dangerous driving and ensure compliance with traffic rules.

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3 Aug 2023

Update on Development of Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail Project

The Member asked whether the Singapore Government had received any proposals, memoranda of understanding, or agreements from Malaysia regarding the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project following Malaysia's request for proposals.
The Minister for Transport indicated that the response had already been provided in an earlier reply to Questions Nos 4 and 5 at the 3 August 2023 Parliament Sitting.

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3 Aug 2023

Plans to Phase Out Use of Coal in Energy Production

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about plans to phase out coal in Singapore’s energy production, especially with the new hydrogen-ready Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant nearing completion.
Coal currently accounts for only about 1% of Singapore’s power capacity, used primarily at the Tembusu Multi-Utilities Complex (TMUC), which employs low-ash, low-sulphur clean coal and biomass to lower emissions.
The government has no plans to build new coal-powered plants, but the timeline for phasing out coal depends on TMUC’s asset life and the availability of viable alternatives for its industrial clients.
Efforts are underway with companies to explore bringing forward the coal phase-out timeline and reducing emissions where possible.
The new 600MW hydrogen-ready Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant is expected to help meet rising electricity demand driven by economic growth, digitalisation, and electrification.

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3 Aug 2023

Reasons for Exceptionally Heavy Rainfall on 20 July 2023

The heavy rainfall on 20 July 2023 was caused by intense, widespread thunderstorms, leading to nearly a month's worth of rain in one hour and a localized flash flood at Dunearn Road, which was managed with early warnings and quick response.
Singapore has significantly reduced flood-prone areas through drainage upgrades and ongoing works, including at known hotspots like Dunearn Road, with long-term climate change considerations in planning.
Due to land constraints and climate change, Singapore must accept occasional flash floods and the public is urged to use flood alert channels to stay prepared.

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3 Aug 2023

Public Utilities (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces mandatory water recycling requirements for new water-intensive projects in the wafer fabrication, electronics, and biomedical industries to manage growing water demand, with targeted recycling rates and enhanced funding support for companies.
It imposes charges on large private water suppliers, such as private desalination plants and large rainwater harvesters, to align their treatment with public water pricing and ensure sustainable growth, with phased implementation starting in 2025.
The Bill also enhances PUB’s operational powers, including cost recovery for emergency works, requirements for diversion plans, and updated service rules to promote digitalisation, all aimed at safeguarding Singapore’s water security.

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3 Aug 2023

Environmental Impact of Relocation and Redevelopment of Paya Lebar Airbase

Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised questions about environmental studies and mitigation measures for the Paya Lebar Airbase redevelopment, as well as plans to retain green spaces along Sungei Serangoon to support biodiversity and migratory birds.
Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How responded that environmental impact assessments will be conducted if needed before redevelopment starts in the 2030s, and that existing park connectors and green spaces along Sungei Serangoon are safeguarded, with potential extensions under consideration.
Dennis Tan urged the government to realign and expand green spaces in the next masterplan review to address the lack of significant green areas in northeast Singapore and mitigate heat impact from the new HDB estate.
Tan Kiat How explained that the Paya Lebar redevelopment is in early conceptual stages, with detailed planning and consultations to follow, and confirmed that the eastern bank of Sungei Serangoon is currently zoned for industrial use with no immediate redevelopment plans.

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3 Aug 2023

Update on Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail Project Given MyHSR Corp's Recent Request for Information Exercise

The Ministry of Transport has not received any new proposal from Malaysia regarding the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project but is willing to discuss any future proposal in good faith starting from a clean slate.
Singapore’s plans for the HSR within its borders, including the Jurong stop, will be considered only upon receipt of a formal proposal from Malaysia, with the government maintaining an open mind for a win-win arrangement.
The Ministry and Land Transport Authority are not involved in the Request for Information exercise conducted by Malaysia’s MyHSR Corp, and no Singapore companies were confirmed to be involved in the initial information-gathering stage.

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2 Aug 2023

Number of Purpose-built Dormitories and Beds Completed and Planned

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked for the number of purpose-built dormitories and beds completed annually over the last 10 years and expected annually over the next five years.
Tan See Leng replied that 25 purpose-built dormitories with about 145,800 beds were completed in the past 10 years.
He added that government agencies will continue to make sites available and expect at least seven dormitories with 47,000 beds to be completed over the next five years.
The response outlines both historical completion and future projections without providing yearly breakdowns.
The focus is on ensuring sufficient dormitory capacity for migrant workers in the coming years.

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2 Aug 2023

Concessions for HDB Flat Owners with EV Cars to Park at Closest HDB Car Park with EV Charging Stations

Miss Rachel Ong asked whether HDB will provide concessions for flat owners with EVs to park at the closest HDB car park with charging stations at season parking rates.
The LTA and HDB are deploying EV charging points in nearly 2,000 HDB car parks by 2025.
HDB allows residents to transfer their season parking to another car park with EV chargers at the same rate to support EV charging needs.

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2 Aug 2023

Objective Criteria and Standards Used by NParks in Deciding Necessity for Environmental Impact Assessment

NParks requires an in-depth consultation with technical agencies for projects in or near sensitive areas like nature reserves and marine zones, and mandates an environmental study if the potential impact is assessed as significant based on project specifics and ecological factors.
The assessment considers development details, construction methods, and ecological factors such as habitat types, biodiversity, and connectivity to determine if an environmental impact study is needed.
The approach is continuously reviewed and updated using evolving scientific knowledge, such as insights from NParks' island-wide Ecological Profiling Exercise on Singapore’s ecosystem and connectivity.

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2 Aug 2023

Use of Vacant Premises like Schools to Alleviate Shortage of Heavy Vehicle Parking Lots

Mr Don Wee proposed that URA and SLA use vacant premises like schools to address the shortage of heavy vehicle parking lots.
The Minister for National Development stated that there are currently 41,000 heavy vehicle lots island-wide, which exceeds the 31,800 registered vehicles, indicating an overall sufficiency.
Most heavy vehicle lots are privately provided in industrial estates where vehicles operate, with schools already allowing overnight parking for school buses.

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2 Aug 2023

Sources of Renewable Energy and Plans to Increase Supply from Southeast Asia Region

Singapore has expanded solar deployment from 16 MWp in 2013 to about 900 MWp by early 2023, and is on track to reach at least 2 GWp by 2030, using innovative methods like reservoir-based solar.
Plans are underway to import up to 4 GW of low-carbon electricity by 2035, with the Energy Market Authority having issued a Conditional Approval for a 1 GW import from Cambodia.
Singapore is collaborating with Southeast Asian neighbors on smaller-scale electricity import trials, such as the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project that imports up to 100 MW of hydropower.

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