Infrastructure & development

• The Bill introduces the CORENET X digital platform to streamline regulatory submissions for building works, with features like Building Information Modelling (BIM) requirements and consolidated agency responses to reduce approval times by 20–25%.
• Amendments to the Planning Act, Building Control Act, and environmental laws enable electronic approvals, lodgment for low-risk projects, and clearer powers for agencies, while maintaining safeguards such as conditional preliminary permissions.
• Stakeholders support the Bill but raised concerns about workplace safety for migrant workers, suggesting stricter enforcement and training, and sought clarification on SME readiness for BIM adoption and phased implementation of CORENET X.

• Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the recent fatal demolition accident, asking for enhanced safety measures and stricter penalties, as well as current accountability rules for construction leadership.
• The Senior Minister of State for Manpower confirmed ongoing investigations, a stop-work order, and review of the existing SS 557 code, noting that penalties under the WSH Act are severity-based and that higher-risk activities face tougher enforcement, with new SAFE measures including CEO accountability and mandatory WSH training.
• Yip Hon Weng further queried worker training on structural collapse signs, reporting channels, and BCA requirements for on-site Safety Officers.
• The Minister responded that employers must train workers under the SS 557 code, BCA conducts inspections, and regulations require companies to have safety officers and procedures, though specifics on this case await investigation results.

• Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development about the total number of residential units and the completion date for the first batch of properties on the former Singapore Turf Club sites at Bukit Timah and Kranji.
• Desmond Lee referred the question to a previous reply given on 3 July 2023 regarding the redevelopment of the Turf Club site and its completion timelines.
• The response indicates the information was already addressed in an official parliamentary report, directing attention to that earlier exchange.

• As of May 2023, 57% of the 20,000 lifts under the Lift Enhancement Programme (LEP) have had tenders awarded and 28% of the works completed.
• Delays in the LEP have occurred over the past three years due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Town Councils working with contractors to catch up.
• HDB considers the performance of lift contractors in its evaluation process for tenders on new lifts, including feedback from Town Councils on LEP contractor performance.

• Lim Wee Kiak asked about changes in electricity consumption during heat waves, monitoring of demand and grid stress, and contingency plans for meeting increased demand.
• Gan Kim Yong stated that peak electricity demand rose by about 8% from February to May this year, but existing generation capacity of 9.4 gigawatts exceeds the peak demand of 7.9 gigawatts.
• The Energy Market Authority and SP Group monitor the grid 24/7, and additional generation units can be directed to supply power during high demand periods.
• Consumers are encouraged to manage energy use through efficiency schemes and demand response programs that reward reductions during peak times to improve grid reliability.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the consultation process with stakeholders regarding the Singapore Turf Club's closure in 2024.
• Lawrence Wong stated that the questions were previously addressed in the Official Report of 3 July 2023.
• The referenced report pertains to the redevelopment of the Singapore Turf Club site and its completion timelines.

• Chong Kee Hiong urged the National Environment Agency to build a hawker centre in Bishan to offer affordable budget meals amid inflation.
• Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that the agency prioritizes new or underserved housing estates and requires sufficient residential and commercial customer bases for viability.
• She noted Bishan already has existing food centres, coffee shops, and food courts, plus access to nearby hawker centres in Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh.
• The government will continue to monitor and review the adequacy of food options in Bishan.

• Sharael Taha asked the Minister for National Development about the average completion time for Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) projects before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the average delay faced since the pandemic.
• Minister Desmond Lee explained that NRP projects, managed by Town Councils, typically take 12 to 36 months to complete, but COVID-19 caused delays due to safe management measures, border controls, and increased costs.
• The pandemic led to delays ranging from several months to over a year for NRP projects, with some already completed and the rest expected to finish within the next one to two years.
• Town Councils are encouraged to work with contractors to implement measures that help ensure timely completion of the remaining projects.

• Miss Cheryl Chan questioned whether prolonged intense heat would strain the power grid and slow electric vehicle charging infrastructure deployment.
• Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that electricity demand rises in hotter months but assured sufficient generation and grid capacity to meet increased needs.
• He explained that energy demand forecasts, including from electric vehicles, guide investments in generation and grid upgrades to ensure reliability.
• The Energy Market Authority will use a centralized tender to encourage private investment in new capacity, with fallback plans to build if needed.
• Upgrades to the power grid by SP Group are planned based on these forecasts to maintain standards and support future demand.

• The OneMillionTrees movement faces challenges due to Singapore's land scarcity and competing urban uses like housing and transport, with over 540,000 trees planted so far with community support.
• Tree species selection is based on metrics such as growth form, hardiness, site conditions, and functional benefits like shade provision, with a priority on native species for nature parks.
• Criteria include canopy characteristics for cooling streetscapes and aligning with the goal of transforming Singapore into a City in Nature.

• The revised land allocation for places of worship (PW) will not impact past reserves, provided land is disposed of at its fair market value (FMV) as determined by the Chief Valuer.
• The change from competitive tender to a fixed-price ballot for PW land requires a new method to establish FMV, using historical data from non-tender influenced PW land sales.
• For public housing, HDB land valuation remains unchanged as resale transactions provide ample market data, unlike PW sites which cannot be freely sold.
• The difference in treatment stems from the key distinction that HDB flats are actively traded in an open market, providing continuous valuation data, while PW sites are not.

• The North-South Corridor is now expected to be completed in phases, with the viaduct portion targeted for 2027 and the road tunnel portion in 2029, following a delay of more than a year due to COVID-19 disruptions.
• Contractors are adhering to planned construction schedules, with noisy works typically stopping by 10 pm, except for safety-critical tasks which may continue later, and measures such as noise barriers and enclosures are in place to minimize resident inconvenience.
• The Land Transport Authority engages with stakeholders and grassroots leaders to provide updates and explain construction activities, while also committing to ongoing efforts to reduce disamenities as the project progresses.

• The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) guidelines require sustainable practices that include retaining and reusing existing building structures, and the voluntary Green Mark scheme recognizes projects that do so to reduce carbon emissions.
• The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) offers financial incentives such as tax concessions and additional floor area to encourage the retrofitting of conserved buildings for new uses.
• Building owners can apply for BCA’s Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings 2.0 to receive co-funding for energy efficiency retrofits, supporting efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of older buildings.

The Singapore Turf Club (STC) will close by March 2027 to redevelop the site for housing and leisure facilities, addressing land constraints and declining spectatorship.
Support measures include job placement and skills training for affected STC employees and trainers, and responsible rehoming or exportation of the 700 racehorses.
Infrastructure planning with the Ministry of Transport will assess traffic impact, and heritage elements of the STC will be commemorated in future developments.

• Miss Rachel Ong asked whether the government monitors the number of people cycling to work and if studies have been done on cycling routes to the Central Business District to plan for cycling lanes.
• The Land Transport Authority conducts travel surveys indicating that less than 2% of commuters primarily cycle to work and has recently completed six kilometres of cycling paths in the Central Area with more planned in regional centres.
• The government is exploring longer-distance cycling routes like the North-South Corridor and will consider connectivity, community feedback, and site conditions in future cycling path planning.

• The Ministry is supplementing Punggol's busy LRT system with more frequent bus services during peak times, including additional bus trips and double-deck buses, while closely monitoring the situation.
• To increase capacity, LTA will replace one-car LRT trains with two-car trains on both Punggol and Sengkang LRT systems starting next year, and extend the North East Line to Punggol Coast MRT station.
• Commuters are encouraged to use transport apps for journey planning to ensure smooth transitions between LRT and bus services, with feedback from residents being actively considered for improvements.
• The measures aim to address peak-hour crowding and improve convenience and safety for all passengers, especially school children, as noted in feedback from Punggol residents.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked why dedicated charging stations were chosen over alternatives like RFID-controlled power points and if they are the most cost-beneficial solution.
• The Minister explained that dedicated charging stations are fixed chargers with lower safety risks and faster charging speeds compared to non-fixed alternatives, which are limited to lower power under Singapore's Technical Reference 25 standards.
• The Minister noted that fixed chargers are the global standard for public charging networks and that Singapore will continue to monitor and facilitate safe advancements in charging technology.

• Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about developments on a potential third land link between Singapore and Johor Bahru.
• Vivian Balakrishnan stated there are no developments on the potential third land link.
• The completion of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link project is the top priority.
• No current plans or progress have been made on establishing a third land connection.
• The government is focusing efforts on the existing transit system link instead.

• Leon Perera asked the Ministry about the methods, error rates, and appeal options for detecting leaks in underground water pipes when surface water has no other clear cause.
• Grace Fu explained that PUB uses sensor networks and annual inspections, with Singapore's water loss from leaks at about 8%, which is low globally, and prioritizes areas near construction or with prior leaks.
• PUB responds to ground seepage by using noise loggers and locators to find and fix leaks, or samples water to check if it matches PUB supply before expanding the search.
• If no pipe is nearby and the water is not from PUB, it is likely groundwater, and PUB coordinates with agencies or landowners to channel it to drains.

• Murali Pillai asked for an update on the progress of upgrading the electrical power supply from 30 to 40 amps for older HDB blocks in Bukit Batok under HDB's Electrical Load Upgrading Programme.
• Desmond Lee confirmed that the programme will upgrade about 1,500 older HDB blocks, with completion targeted by 2030.
• Approximately 50 HDB blocks in Bukit Batok are eligible, and design consultants are currently conducting site feasibility studies and developing detailed proposals.
• HDB will engage stakeholders, including grassroots leaders and residents, once the design and upgrading plans are ready.
• The programme aims to enhance the electrical infrastructure to meet modern usage demands.