Infrastructure & development — Topics

7 Nov 2022

Design or Infrastructure Considerations to Enhance Noise Abatement for New Housing Estates near Air Bases

Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked about design or infrastructure measures to enhance noise abatement for new housing estates near air bases and the desired noise abatement targets.
Desmond Lee outlined that developers are encouraged to orient buildings away from noise sources and HDB is testing practical measures like thicker window glass, innovative façade designs with overhangs, and noise-cancelling window technologies.
He emphasized that land scarcity requires balancing housing, green spaces, and other needs, and while mitigation measures can reduce noise, complete noise reduction may not always be possible, with MND continuing to explore sustainable solutions.

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7 Nov 2022

Effect of Long Waiting Times for BTO Flats on Couples' Plans to Have Children

He Ting Ru asked whether the Government will study how BTO waiting times affect couples' plans to have children, what impact COVID-19 delays have had, and if findings can be shared.
Indranee Rajah responded that there are no specific studies planned but acknowledged housing access is a key factor, and the Government is already acting on feedback from couples.
The Government is reducing BTO delays, with projects delayed by six months or more dropping from 80% to under 50%, and is on track to launch 23,000 flats per year in 2022 and 2023.
Efforts include launching more short-wait BTO projects where possible and providing temporary housing through the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring affordable public housing, especially for first-time homeowners.

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7 Nov 2022

Increasing Supply of Land for Non-landed Private Residential Developments as Added Cooling Measure

Gan Thiam Poh asked if increasing land supply for non-landed private residential developments could serve as an additional cooling measure to meet demand.
Desmond Lee stated that the government plans land supply based on economic, market, and demographic factors, and has already increased private housing supply on the Confirmed List by 75% from 2021 to 2022.
The government is prepared to further increase land supply if needed and will continue monitoring conditions to adjust policies for a stable property market.

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7 Nov 2022

Processes to Ensure Protection of Widely-recognised Heritage Sites

Mr Leon Perera asked about processes to protect heritage sites like Haw Par Villa that are not under the National Heritage Board (NHB) or existing heritage laws, and whether the Ministry would consider regulations or collaboration with other statutory boards to safeguard such sites.
Minister Edwin Tong explained that NHB collaborates with public sector agencies like the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to integrate heritage considerations into land planning through research, documentation, expert panels, and community engagement.
The Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) framework was introduced in 2022 to evaluate potential impacts on heritage sites during development, with public projects assessed for the need for in-depth studies to mitigate impacts and engage stakeholders.
For Haw Par Villa specifically, NHB partnered with STB to study and document its heritage features, guiding conservation and upgrading works in 2020–2021, including repairs and upkeep recommendations for built structures and statuary.
The Ministry aims to balance heritage preservation with future development needs by enhancing processes and continuing inter-agency collaboration to retain Singapore’s heritage and collective identity.

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7 Nov 2022

Handicap-accessible Lots at HDB and URA-managed Car Parks

Seah Kian Peng asked about increasing handicap-accessible car park lots at HDB and URA car parks and the timeline for the next review of the Code on Accessibility.
The Minister of State confirmed that over 6,800 accessible lots exist and new developments must follow the Code, with the next review starting in 2023.
Seah noted resident difficulties in finding accessible lots and urged a future-focused approach in the upcoming review to address ageing trends proactively.
The Minister acknowledged the feedback and assured consideration in the review process.

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7 Nov 2022

Feedback on "Vertical Kampung" Project at Admiralty and Plans to Expand These to Other Estates

The Minister reported positive feedback on the Kampung Admiralty project, noting high resident satisfaction and strong community spirit, with further integrated developments like Heart of Yew Tee underway and more such "vertical kampungs" being considered based on land availability and resident needs.
HDB is promoting intergenerational bonding by co-locating eldercare and childcare facilities in new projects, including a second Community Care Apartments pilot in Queenstown, as part of a broader strategy to design senior-friendly housing.
Desmond Choo highlighted strong demand for these integrated projects in areas like Tampines and asked about the capacity to meet demand and the feasibility of repurposing existing flats into kampungs.
The Minister responded that expanding "vertical kampungs" depends on land availability and ongoing learning from current projects, while existing flats are being made senior-friendly through programs like EASE and supported by community and healthcare partners.

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20 Oct 2022

Vacancies in Kindergartens, Childcare and Infant Care Centres in Vicinity of Yishun Spring BTO Estate

Mr Derrick Goh asked for the number of vacancies in kindergartens, childcare, and infant care centres near the Yishun Spring BTO estate and whether the Ministry can handle increased demand when new residents move in by the second half of 2022.
As of July 2022, the Yishun Planning Area had 9,200 childcare and 580 infant care places with about 80% enrolment, with 34 childcare and 6 infant care centres having immediate vacancies, and additional centres expected to have vacancies within a year.
There are 11 kindergartens in the area, enrolling 1,300 children with an average enrolment rate below 50% across two daily sessions.
The Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA) works with HDB to develop preschools near new public housing, with 170 new childcare and 25 new infant care places planned by anchor operators in Yishun by end-2022, sited within the new Yishun Spring precinct.

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20 Oct 2022

Reasons for Government's Venture into Private Sector Space of Construction of Migrant Worker Dormitories

Seah Kian Peng raised concerns about the government's new migrant worker dormitories potentially crowding out private operators and questioned the reasons for government involvement in a private sector space.
Tan See Leng explained that the government's purpose is to drive innovation and improve public health resilience and liveability in migrant worker housing.
He clarified that the two government-built dormitories represent a small fraction of over 50 private-operated ones, ensuring no significant crowding out of private operators.
The government will continue to tender new dormitories based on workforce needs, maintaining private sector involvement.
Further details were referenced from a MOM launch event in October 2022.

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20 Oct 2022

Adjustments to Plan to Launch 100,000 HDB BTO Flats from 2021 to 2025

Member Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked whether additional HDB BTO flat launches beyond the 100,000 target from 2021 to 2025 are possible if demand exceeds projections and what constraints prevent this.
Minister Desmond Lee highlighted strong, broad-based housing demand due to demographic trends and post-pandemic household formation, with more couples and singles seeking independent living.
HDB has increased BTO supply, launching 23,000 flats in 2022 and planning the same for 2023, representing a 35% rise from the previous year.
The government remains committed to launching up to 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025 if needed and will continue monitoring demand to adjust supply accordingly.
No immediate additional sites were specified for expansion beyond the current plan, indicating reliance on existing measures and flexibility within the projected framework.

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20 Oct 2022

Allotment of Upcoming Electric Vehicle Charging Points in HDB Car Parks for Vehicle Owners and for Rental Service Providers

Saktiandi Supaat inquired about the percentage of the 12,000 EV charging points in HDB carparks allocated for rental services versus private owners.
S Iswaran responded that the charging points under the tender are publicly accessible and not reserved exclusively for any vehicle segment.
The debate highlighted concerns about equitable access to charging infrastructure for different user groups.

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20 Oct 2022

Impact of Normalisation of Global Supply Chains on Singapore's Seaport

The Port of Singapore is currently operating at about 85% of its maximum handling capacity, with a buffer to handle short-term demand increases and future capacity expansion planned with the completion of Tuas Port.
The Minister noted that while global supply chain normalisation could bring uncertainties, the port’s competitiveness is maintained through strong tripartite partnerships, productivity improvements, and technology like autonomous vehicles to manage manpower needs.
Despite potential global economic slowdowns, the Ministry is prepared for both up and down cycles in shipping volumes, leveraging Singapore’s strategic role as a “catch-up” port to handle disruptions and sustain network effects.

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20 Oct 2022

Shortening Waiting Time for HDB BTO Flats in Support of Marriage and Parenthood Objectives

The government is increasing the supply of Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, with a commitment to launch up to 100,000 new flats from 2021 to 2025 if needed, and is working to offer more projects with shorter waiting times of three years or less, subject to site readiness.
The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) income ceiling of $7,000 will be retained to prioritize applicants less able to afford market rental, though HDB will consider case-by-case requests for those with higher incomes facing exceptional circumstances, while PPHS supply is being doubled.
To mitigate construction delays and supply chain risks, HDB is working closely with contractors, stockpiling materials, standardizing designs, and exploring new construction methods to enhance productivity and resilience.

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5 Oct 2022

Plans to Build More Complexes with Integrated Inter-generational Care Facilities

HDB collaborates with various ministries and agencies to integrate childcare and eldercare facilities in new public housing developments to support inter-generational bonding and convenience for sandwiched generations.
Efforts are made to co-locate childcare and eldercare facilities in multi-storey carparks or community buildings in BTO developments, with examples like Kampung Admiralty showcasing integrated complexes.
HDB and URA continue exploring co-location of social communal facilities within single complexes, considering local needs, site availability, and funding timelines.
Under the "Designing For Life" roadmap, HDB plans to position more childcare and eldercare facilities near precinct amenities like three-generation playgrounds to enhance family interaction.

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5 Oct 2022

Redundancy Capacity at Mandai Crematorium to Hedge against Downtime

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked about redundancy capacity at Mandai Crematorium to hedge against downtime.
The NEA stated Mandai Crematorium has sufficient capacity, including buffer for maintenance and daily demand fluctuations, with extended hours for peak demand.
A second crematorium at Mandai is under construction and scheduled for completion in 2024 to boost long-term capacity.

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5 Oct 2022

Expected Full Completion and Capacity of Changi Airport's Terminal 5

The Minister confirmed that Changi Airport's Terminal 5 is planned for an initial capacity of 50 million passengers per annum with the design flexibility to be built in two phases.
Provisions remain for Terminal 5 to potentially increase its capacity to up to 70 million passengers per annum in the longer term, contingent on future traffic growth.
Terminal 5 is expected to become operational around the mid-2030s, with work having resumed after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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5 Oct 2022

Consulting with Senior Residents on Locations for Pedestrian Crossings

Ms Ng Ling Ling raised concerns about pedestrian safety for seniors, asking about LTA’s planning norms, criteria for building overhead bridges or underpasses, and whether co-creation with senior residents is used to set up natural crossings in areas with many seniors.
The Minister for Transport explained that LTA prioritizes safety by providing signalized or zebra crossings as a default, with grade-separated crossings for wider, higher-speed roads, and has retrofitted 77 pedestrian overhead bridges with lifts, with plans to retrofit 30 more and ensure all new bridges are barrier-free.
LTA has implemented initiatives like Green Man + crossings and Silver Zones in areas with high senior populations, which include design features to slow traffic and improve safety, resulting in an 80% reduction in senior pedestrian accidents.
The Minister also highlighted community collaboration, such as repurposing roads for wider footpaths and barrier-free access, with examples like Havelock Road.
These measures collectively show LTA’s commitment to enhancing road safety for seniors through infrastructure planning, community engagement, and targeted interventions.

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5 Oct 2022

Universal Concept for HDB Flats Built before 2006

Jessica Tan asked if the Universal Design concept, applied to HDB flats built from 2006, could be incorporated into older flats built before 2006 to better support seniors and residents with mobility challenges, and whether there are plans to do so.
The Minister of State responded that universal design principles are already incorporated into older blocks during upgrading, with programmes like the Lift Upgrading Programme and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme providing features such as ramps and resting points, while residents can also install grab bars and ramps under the Home Improvement Programme and Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) scheme.
Jessica Tan raised supplementary questions about addressing unevenness from scupper drains in older void decks and enhancing the EASE programme to include wider doorways and other features to accommodate wheelchairs more effectively.
The Minister of State acknowledged the feedback on scupper drains and noted that the EASE programme is being reviewed to explore additional items that enhance safety and mobility for seniors, considering the ageing population and future needs.

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5 Oct 2022

Ratio of Bicycle Parking Lots Per MRT Station

The Ministry does not use a fixed ratio for bicycle parking lots per MRT station, instead providing a range based on assessed local demand, with about 27,000 lots currently across 127 stations and hubs.
Utilization rates vary by station, with examples like 65% at Sengkang and 77% at Buangkok MRT in 2022, and the ministry will continue monitoring and expanding parking capacity over time.
Under the Land Transport Master Plan 2040, planning parameters for new stations consider factors like ridership and location, with first-mile stations expected to have between 250 and 800 parking lots.

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4 Oct 2022

Expected Completion Date for Third Runway at Changi Airport and Impact on Passenger and Flight Handling Capacities

The expected completion date for Changi Airport's third runway is in the latter half of this decade.
Upon completion, the new runway will increase the airport's flight handling capacity by over one-third.
The additional runway will also raise passenger capacity by more than one-third.

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4 Oct 2022

Improvement in Peak-hour Car Travel Speeds Since Implementation of High ERP Rates Along CTE

After higher ERP rates were implemented along CTE on 1 August 2022, average traffic speeds improved by 13% during the revised ERP hours.
The Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 3 will open by end-2023, providing faster train options for residents in Ang Mo Kio GRC and reducing reliance on CTE.
The future North-South Corridor, expected by the end of the decade, will directly connect northern Singapore to the city centre and help relieve congestion on CTE.

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