Infrastructure & development — Topics

9 Jan 2023

Number and Operating Hours of Immigration Counters at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints

There are 302 immigration counters at Woodlands Checkpoint and 276 at Tuas Checkpoint for motorists entering and leaving Singapore, with about 92% of counters manned during the December 2022 peak period.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority uses dynamic officer deployment, flexible lane conversion, and technology like automated clearance to manage congestion, but limits exist due to heavy traffic and infrastructure constraints.
Longer-term measures include expanding automated in-car clearance, the Automated Clearance Initiative for eligible visitors, and collaboration with transport agencies and Traffic Police, plus upcoming projects like the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and Woodlands Checkpoint redevelopment to boost capacity.

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9 Jan 2023

HDB Blocks Found Unsuitable for Lift Upgrading Programme or Where Residents will Incur More Than $100,000 Each for Installation of Direct Lift Access

Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for National Development about the 150 HDB blocks without direct lift access, seeking details on blocks unfeasible for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) due to technical constraints, blocks technically feasible but with costs exceeding $100,000 per unit, and potential enhancements to the Lift Access Housing Grant scheme.
The Minister explained that over 1,000 of the initial 5,300 blocks without full lift access were found unfeasible for LUP due to cost or technical constraints, but innovative solutions have since been adopted, reducing the number of such blocks to about 140 with approximately 2,000 units remaining.
For these remaining blocks, costs per household can exceed $200,000, and residents with urgent medical or mobility needs can receive up to $30,000 under the Lift Access Housing Grant when purchasing another flat with direct lift access, with HDB monitoring and considering further enhancements as needed.

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9 Jan 2023

Population Target Used as Planning Parameter for Infrastructure Projects

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for National Development what population target is used for infrastructure planning, but the Minister responded that Singapore does not have a fixed population target and the outlook of a 6.9 million population by 2030 remains unlikely.
Infrastructure planning is instead based on long-term strategies that account for a range of possibilities and is regularly reviewed to address social, demographic, economic, technological, and environmental trends.
The Government emphasized that it has repeatedly clarified in Parliament, media statements, and factually articles that no specific population size is pursued as a planning parameter.

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9 Jan 2023

Correlation between Use of Prefab Technology and Incidence of Water Seepage in HDB Flats

Minister Desmond Lee stated there is no clear evidence linking the increased use of prefabrication technology to higher incidence of water seepage in HDB flats, noting the technology is designed to minimise such issues.
HDB has provided a five-year warranty against water seepage from external walls and inter-floor leaks for flats launched from 2005 onwards, exceeding the typical one-year industry norm.
Residents experiencing water seepage in external walls should report it to the Town Council, which can seek advice from HDB if needed.

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9 Jan 2023

Government's Accounting Practice for Development Expenditure

The Singapore Government accounts on a cash basis, recording development expenditure only when funds are disbursed, in line with Regulation 19 of the Financial Regulations.
This practice is used because it aligns with how the Overall Fiscal Position and annual Budget are determined based on cash requirements for both operating and development spending.
For major long-term infrastructure projects financed under the Significant Infrastructure Government Loan Act, the full cash outlay is not recorded immediately; instead, annual depreciation and borrowing costs are used to assess the fiscal position.
The accounting approach ensures development expenditures are recognized in the Statement of Development Fund as project progress requires cash disbursement, not at the point of appropriation.
This method allows the Government to manage fiscal sustainability while funding long-term assets through borrowings, without reflecting the entire cost upfront in the annual Budget.

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30 Nov 2022

Shortfall in Gas Supply from Sumatra and Impact on Businesses and Residents

The Minister confirmed that declining natural gas supply from Sumatra will not impact Singapore’s electricity supply because the LNG terminal can meet all domestic gas needs and users can purchase gas from multiple suppliers, including long-term LNG importers.
To enhance long-term energy security, Singapore is diversifying sources by maximizing solar deployment and importing low-carbon electricity from the region, with the Energy Market Authority receiving over 20 proposals from five countries for such projects.
The government remains on track to meet its electricity import target of 4GW by 2035, which together with other measures will reduce reliance on natural gas and improve the power system’s resilience.

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30 Nov 2022

Checks on Work Sites to Ensure Clearance of Land is In Accordance with Regulations

Gerald Giam questioned if checks on worksites have been intensified to ensure land clearance follows regulations and how environmental assessments for upcoming projects like Bayshore will be completed before forest clearance.
Desmond Lee affirmed that worksite activities require prior approvals and compliance, including environmental studies and mitigation measures, with regular checks by relevant agencies.
Lee emphasized that penalties are imposed for unauthorized activities, such as land clearance without approvals or failure to meet agency requirements.

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30 Nov 2022

Efforts to Increase Supply of HDB BTO Flats in Non-mature Estates

The Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee, outlined HDB’s commitment to ramp up BTO flat supply in 2022 and 2023 in response to strong housing demand, with readiness to do more if needed.
HDB is streamlining development processes but faces site constraints such as interim uses, encumbrances, and environmental or heritage studies that can delay some planned BTO projects.
In the November 2022 BTO exercise, nearly 6,000 flats were launched in non-mature estates, and for 2022, total BTO launches exceeded 23,000 units—a 35% increase from 2021, with over half in non-mature estates.
MND and HDB will continue monitoring demand and adjusting supply to meet housing needs, offering a diverse range of flats across locations and budgets.
The Ministry emphasized maintaining a healthy supply of non-mature estate BTO sites at every launch to cater to first-time home buyers and those with different budget needs.

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30 Nov 2022

Converting Underutilised Multi-storey Car Parks and Other Common Areas into Bicycle Parking Spaces

Edward Chia inquired about converting underutilised multi-storey car parks and other common areas for bicycle parking, citing potential space optimisation.
Desmond Lee responded that HDB will consider repurposing such spaces subject to technical feasibility, safety, and resident disamenity factors, but noted current safety codes may not permit conversions in existing car parks.
He added that new housing developments already include bicycle parking at void decks, and the Green Towns Programme will add dual bicycle racks in existing towns by 2024.
For high-demand areas, Town Councils can seek HDB approval to install additional bicycle parking racks at void decks or nearby locations.

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30 Nov 2022

Electric Vehicles Charging Bill

The Electric Vehicles Charging Bill aims to ensure EV chargers are safe, reliable, and accessible nationwide, mandating regulatory oversight by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to achieve Singapore's 2050 net-zero emissions target.
Key provisions include licensing for charging operators, safety standards for charger models, and a requirement for new buildings to provide EV charging infrastructure, with flexibility in implementation to balance costs and user needs.
Parliament debated concerns over compliance costs, market competition, charging point adequacy, and behavioral issues like hogging, with the Minister affirming the government's commitment to monitoring and adjusting policies as EV adoption grows.

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30 Nov 2022

Plans for Fauna and Flora of Jurong Bird Park after 3 January 2023 Closure

Over 3,000 birds and about 50 flora species will be relocated from Jurong Bird Park to Bird Paradise at Mandai after its closure, with welfare and safety measures in place for the move.
The Jurong Bird Park site is to be returned to JTC in 2025, with JTC working with Mandai Wildlife Group and agencies on reinstatement and future land use planning.
The land’s economic potential is under review, with JTC, URA, NParks, and other agencies collaborating on long-term plans that consider existing features and public feedback.

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29 Nov 2022

Outcome of Review of Master Developer for Kampong Bugis White Site and Expected Launch Dates of Sites at Kampong Bugis, Holland Plain and Bayshore

The Master Developer approach is being considered for larger mixed-use sites like Kampong Bugis to support comprehensive planning and specific outcomes such as a car-lite precinct.
There are no plans to adopt the Master Developer approach for the Holland Plain and Bayshore sites.
The development staging plans for Kampong Bugis are still under review, and launch dates for all three sites will be announced when ready.

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29 Nov 2022

Update on Status of Road Noise Barrier and Low-noise Road Surfacing Trials

LTA completed trials on noise barriers and low-noise pavement mix, finding the latter more effective for at-grade expressway sections as it reduces noise at the source, whereas barriers are less effective for higher-floor residents.
LTA will use low-noise pavement mix during resurfacing of at-grade expressway sections near residential areas to reduce noise.
For elevated expressway sections, LTA will consider installing noise barriers where needed, based on factors like distance from buildings.
LTA remains committed to implementing noise reduction measures along expressway stretches near public housing.

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29 Nov 2022

Communication of NParks' Environmental Impact Assessments to Project Developers

Miss Cheryl Chan asked how NParks will communicate EIA findings to project developers to ensure accurate implementation and reduce missteps.
Desmond Lee responded that NParks will pilot centralised EIA management for new HDB and JTC projects from early 2023 to enhance industry standards.
The consolidation of biodiversity information under NParks will aid long-term monitoring and cumulative impact assessments.
Developing agencies will remain involved, working with NParks to refine plans based on EIA findings and stakeholder feedback.
NParks and developers will collaborate to implement monitoring and mitigation measures based on the EIA.

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29 Nov 2022

Update on Lamppost-as-a-Platform Project

Leon Perera requested an update on the Lamppost-as-a-Platform (LaaP) project, including key performance indicators, insights from concluded trials, and preliminary findings from the Punggol Northshore trial.
The government confirmed technical feasibility of deploying sensors on retrofitted lampposts and developed a shareable infrastructure design to avoid duplication of resources.
The second trial in a residential greenfield site, relevant to Punggol, has been delayed by COVID-19 and remains ongoing, with results expected in 2023.
It is too early to assess the performance of the ongoing trial, and further studies on demand, costs, and deployment impact are still in progress.

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29 Nov 2022

Impact of High-rise Schools on Children's Social Interactions and Development

The Minister of State for Education acknowledged the need to build taller schools to make best use of limited land in Singapore while ensuring that teaching and learning are not compromised, and highlighted that schools incorporate open spaces to support student development.
An example provided was Valour Primary School, an eight-storey building completed in 2020, which includes sky terraces, open spaces next to classrooms, a parade square, a playground, and outdoor learning areas to encourage interaction, play, and exercise.
The debate was initiated by Dr Tan Wu Meng, who asked about plans for high-rise schools, the assessment of play and social interaction’s importance in childhood, and whether high-rise designs would affect these developmental aspects.

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28 Nov 2022

Cause of Landslide at Clementi NorthArc BTO Flat Construction Site

The Building and Construction Authority is investigating the cause of the 2 September 2022 landslide at the Clementi NorthArc BTO construction site and will consider enforcement actions under the Building Control Act.
No legal proceedings have been initiated against contractors or subcontractors pending the completion of the investigation.
Agencies managing public land conduct regular slope inspections near park connectors adjacent to large drains, canals, or rivers and may increase inspection frequency during intense wet weather.

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28 Nov 2022

Redevelopment of National Skin Centre

Wan Rizal requested an update on the redevelopment of the National Skin Centre (NSC) from the Minister for Health.
Ong Ye Kung stated that the new NSC building is now scheduled for completion in 2023, delayed from 2022, due to supply chain and manpower issues in construction.
Services will continue at the existing NSC until the new building is completed.
Other healthcare projects, including new polyclinics in Sembawang and Khatib and the Jurong Polyclinic redevelopment, will also be delayed.
The Sembawang and Khatib polyclinics are now expected to open in 2023 and 2024, respectively, while the Jurong integrated development will be delayed to 2027.

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28 Nov 2022

Improving Ingress and Egress of Emergency Vehicles in Silver Zones

Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about measures to ensure emergency vehicles can move smoothly in Silver Zones, where road lanes are often reduced to single lanes.
Transport Minister S Iswaran explained that Silver Zones are designed to prioritize pedestrian safety by narrowing roads, which naturally slows down vehicles.
He noted that from the first Silver Zone in 2014, the Land Transport Authority collaborates with agencies like SCDF to address emergency vehicle access.
As a specific solution, low-height centre dividers are installed in most Silver Zones to allow emergency vehicles to mount the divider and bypass obstructions.

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28 Nov 2022

Progress of Upgrading Works on Bukit Panjang LRT System

Liang Eng Hwa sought an update on the Bukit Panjang LRT upgrading works and the timeline for resuming full dual loop service.
The renewal project, awarded to Bombardier Singapore in 2018, includes system upgrades, new trains, and condition monitoring but was delayed by COVID-19 impacts such as manpower shortages and supply chain disruptions, with completion expected in 2026.
The system continues to provide full dual loop service during peak hours but operates in a single loop off-peak to reduce strain on ageing infrastructure, with enhanced bus services available to mitigate inconvenience.

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