Infrastructure & development — Topics

9 May 2022

Review Criteria for Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme to Allow Priority for Older Flats

Lim Biow Chuan asked the Ministry for National Development to review SERS criteria to give priority to older HDB flats due to their deteriorating condition.
Desmond Lee explained that SERS is highly selective, considering redevelopment potential, replacement sites, and financial resources, with no fixed age criterion.
For flats not chosen for SERS, alternative programmes like ROH, NRP, HIP, and HIP II are available to maintain estate conditions.
The government plans to implement the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) for older flats around 70 years old, with details still being worked out.

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9 May 2022

Number of HDB Flats Suitable for Redevelopment under Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme

Minister Desmond Lee confirmed that of the approximately one million HDB flats managed, about 5% are estimated to be suitable for the Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), which is not a fixed target.
To date, about 41,000 flats across 82 sites have been announced for SERS, with few additional sites expected to be eligible due to most high-potential projects already selected.
The Ministry declined to provide specific figures on the number of suitable flats remaining or changes to the list over the past five years, citing market sensitivity and the need to avoid preempting SERS announcements.

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9 May 2022

Reasons for Delay to Completion of Woodleigh Hillside and Other BTO Projects

The delays to Woodleigh Hillside and other BTO projects were primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global supply chain disruptions, tightened border controls, and a slow resumption of construction activities after the circuit breaker.
HDB has reduced the delays to between six months and a year for most projects, but the new completion dates are not guaranteed to be firm due to ongoing global uncertainties, site-specific challenges, and potential supply chain issues.
While HDB is implementing support measures for contractors to expedite construction, the possibility of projects being completed ahead of the revised dates depends on improved manpower availability, material supplies, and the resolution of technical challenges.

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9 May 2022

Completion Date of New Serangoon Polyclinic Located at Junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Serangoon Central

Mr Seah Kian Peng inquired about potential delays to the new Serangoon Polyclinic's completion at its specified location.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed the project is on schedule with demolition completed.
Construction is expected to commence by the end of this year.
The polyclinic is on track to open by 2025, barring unforeseen circumstances.

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9 May 2022

Review of Number of Petroleum Retailing Sites Given Drive Towards E-vehicles

Seah Kian Peng asked if the Ministry of National Development will review or repurpose the number of petroleum retailing sites given the drive towards electric vehicles.
The Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee, stated the Singapore Green Plan's goal for all vehicles to run on cleaner energy by 2040 and the ongoing expansion of the EV charging network.
With the expected decrease in demand for petrol and diesel, the Government will adapt its land use planning and the role of petrol stations may change.
The Minister confirmed that where appropriate, some petrol stations could be repurposed for alternative uses, with the Government working with the industry to ease the transition.

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9 May 2022

Deployment and Adequacy of Targets for Fast E-vehicle Charging Points in Public and Private Estates

Member Yip Hon Weng questioned whether current EV charging point targets are sufficient to encourage vehicle adoption, the impact of overnight slow charging competition, and the ability to increase fast charging deployment if demand rises.
Minister S Iswaran stated that LTA’s tender for 12,000 additional charging points by 2025, along with grants for private residences, supports the 2030 target of 60,000 points, with monitoring to adjust based on demand.
The government emphasized that slow charging reduces infrastructure costs and is being optimized for overnight use, while fast charging will complement the network for high-mileage users and urgent needs, with more fast chargers planned near towns and malls.

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9 May 2022

For Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme

Gerald Giam questioned the criteria used to select precincts for the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), including factors like block age, redevelopment potential, replacement site availability, government finances, and other elements, and asked why four HDB blocks in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 were chosen despite being only 43 years old.
Desmond Lee explained that SERS, introduced in 1995, is a highly selective strategy for optimising land through redevelopment of older HDB estates with high development value, involving compulsory acquisition.
He stated that precinct selection involves careful site-by-site evaluation of redevelopment potential, availability of suitable replacement sites, and government financial resources, with age being a consideration but no fixed age criterion.

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5 Apr 2022

Measures to Prevent Delays in Construction of HDB Flats due to Increase in Cost of Building Materials

HDB is informing flat buyers of delays of six to 12 months for ongoing projects, with median waiting times for 2020 and 2021 launches at 4.5 and 3.8 years respectively, but most buyers are expected to move in within four to five years after booking.
To address rising material costs and supply disruptions, HDB has worked with contractors to stockpile materials in advance, extended protection against steel price fluctuations, and supplied concreting materials at protected prices.
HDB is mitigating manpower shortages by collaborating with firms to recruit foreign workers safely and sharing costs, while closely monitoring construction material prices and remaining ready to provide further assistance as needed.

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5 Apr 2022

Data on Proposals Received, Rejected and Approved under CBD Incentive Scheme and Strategic Development Incentive Scheme

The Minister reported that the CBD Incentive Scheme has received 12 outline applications to date, with eight receiving in-principle approval, while the Strategic Development Incentive Scheme has received and approved four outline applications.
Approved developments under the CBD scheme can increase development intensity by up to 25% or 30%, based on the higher of the Master Plan or Approved Gross Plot Ratio, while the increase for the Strategic scheme varies based on site-specific factors like design concepts and infrastructure capacity.
The government will continue to monitor market trends and engage industry professionals to support the rejuvenation of the CBD and other strategic areas.

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5 Apr 2022

Increasing Average Size of HDB Flats Given Changing Societal and Work Trends

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Government whether it will consider increasing the average size of HDB flats to match changing societal trends and work-from-home norms.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that HDB flats are designed to be functional and comfortable, with features like large windows and open kitchens, and have not changed in size since 1997.
He noted that average household sizes have decreased, but flats offer flexibility for reconfiguration, such as pushing columns to the edges to allow for layout changes.
The Minister emphasised that Singapore’s land constraints require a balance between flat size and supply, and the Government will continue gathering ideas to improve public housing design.
The response highlights that residents can personalize their homes through renovation and furnishing to better meet evolving needs.

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5 Apr 2022

Innovative Solutions for HDB Flats to Ensure Direct Lift Access to Every Floor Despite Flat Design

HDB has provided bubble lifts or machine-room-less lifts to about 270 blocks under the Lift Upgrading Programme, sometimes exceeding the cost cap to ensure direct lift access, but upgrading the remaining 150 blocks without access remains prohibitively expensive, with costs potentially exceeding $200,000 per household.
For residents in urgent need due to medical or mobility reasons, the Lift Access Housing Grant of up to $30,000 is available to buy another flat with direct lift access, with HDB providing grace periods and case-by-case extensions for selling the old flat.
The current method for calculating Lift Upgrading Programme benefits only counts units without direct lift access, though HDB continues to explore cost-reducing and alternative solutions to improve accessibility for the remaining blocks.

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4 Apr 2022

Success of CBD Incentive Scheme in Rejuvenating Singapore's City Centre

Miss Cheng Li Hui questioned the effectiveness of the CBD Incentive Scheme, its interaction with COVID-19 trends, and the proportion of mixed-use developments in the CBD.
Minister Desmond Lee reported that 12 outline applications were received under the scheme, with eight receiving in-principle approval, aiming to create more live-work-play environments in the CBD.
The pandemic has accelerated decentralization trends, reinforcing efforts to develop regional centers and bring jobs closer to homes, with URA committed to ongoing market monitoring and plan reviews.

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4 Apr 2022

Number of Licensed Nursing Home Beds Needed for Next Five Years

Gan Thiam Poh sought projections on nursing home bed needs for the next five years and government actions to meet them.
Ong Ye Kung stated there are about 16,300 licensed beds and plans to add roughly 5,000 by 2025.
The government increases capacity by developing purpose-built homes, supporting redevelopment, and releasing land for operators.
MOH will monitor utilisation rates and adjust plans to address evolving care needs.

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4 Apr 2022

Projected Average Ratio of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Points

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about the projected ratio of EV charging points to resident cars in HDB carparks over the next three years, plans to increase this ratio, and the availability of daytime quick charging options.
The Ministry of Transport plans to have at least three charging points in each HDB carpark by 2025, with up to 12,000 additional points nationwide, targeting 60,000 points by 2030 to achieve a 5:1 EV-to-charging-point ratio.
The government is also promoting EV charging in non-landed residences via the EV Common Charger Grant and notes that fast-charging points are being deployed for high-mileage vehicles, with around 420 currently available islandwide.

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4 Apr 2022

Status of Renewal and Enhancement Work Scheduled for North East Line

The renewal and enhancement work for the North East Line, announced in December 2018, began in 2019 and includes refurbishing 25 first-generation trains and upgrading track, power, signalling, and platform screen door systems.
Upgrades for track, power, signalling, and platform screen doors have been completed, with the first refurbished train entering service in February 2022.
The overall train refurbishment programme has been delayed due to COVID-19-related manpower restrictions, though efforts are ongoing to minimise further delays.

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10 Mar 2022

Clarification by Minister for Education

The Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, admitted that inaccurate information provided by two JTC officers led to errors in his previous parliamentary statements about land clearing at Kranji Road and Kranji Close.
Investigations found that unauthorized clearing occurred on a larger area than initially reported, with some payments made for unapproved work, and that JTC officers knew about the clearing earlier than stated.
Police investigations have concluded, and the matter has been referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers; the Minister emphasized that the findings are based on Police views and could be contested in court.

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10 Mar 2022

Space Allocation Criteria for Heavy Vehicle Parking Lots for Each Town

The Ministry stated that Singapore has sufficient heavy vehicle parking lots islandwide, but plans to reduce public lots in residential areas due to land competition and residents' noise and safety concerns, while working with other agencies to maintain accessibility.
The review process involves multiple ministries and agencies, and considers feedback from industry stakeholders like operators and businesses, but does not explicitly include the Ministry of Manpower or detailed employer engagement in the debate.
The Minister highlighted that heavy vehicle drivers' commuting costs and sector-specific needs are discussed with employers and stakeholders, and invited follow-up questions for specific issues.

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10 Mar 2022

Number of Lifts Installed at Pedestrian Overhead Bridges

As of end 2021, 77 pedestrian overhead bridges (POBs) have lifts, with 26 installed in 2021 and 4 in 2020, following Phase 2 (41 POBs in 2018) and Phase 3 (started 2020, targeting 60 POBs, with 30 more to be installed over the next three years).
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that installation costs have decreased to $2–3 million per pair of lifts (down from $4 million in 2018) but maintenance has risen to about $45,000 annually due to labour and other costs.
In response to a supplementary question, the Ministry stated it has explored alternative technologies but prioritizes cost-efficiency and high usage, with ongoing efforts to find more economical solutions while focusing on areas benefiting many commuters.

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9 Mar 2022

Construction Projects with Permission to Work on Weekends

Yip Hon Weng asked how many ongoing construction projects have been granted weekend work permits and if there has been an increase compared to the last COVID-19 tightening, with the Minister of State replying that 79 projects currently have permits for quieter Sunday/public holiday works, up from 70 in the previous phase.
The Minister of State explained that construction is generally prohibited on Sundays and public holidays near sensitive sites, but permits for quieter works are available under strict noise and time conditions, with NEA enforcing rules via real-time surveillance effective October this year.
Yip Hon Weng suggested tighter noise enforcement and reduced Sunday/public holiday hours for sites near residences, to which the Minister of State responded that while NEA is stepping up enforcement, current restricted hours (10 am to 5 pm) and quieter works are balanced to minimize resident disruption while maintaining project timelines.

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8 Mar 2022

Committee of Supply – Head W (Ministry of Transport)

Gan Thiam Poh questioned the impact of COVID-19 on the plan to expand the MRT network to 360 km by the early 2030s and asked for an update on feasibility studies for new lines, including one serving Buangkok, Yio Chu Kang, Fernvale, and Punggol.
Gerald Giam highlighted a decline in public transport satisfaction, citing service cuts in Bedok Reservoir Road that increased waiting times and reduced convenience, and urged LTA to consult the public, use smaller buses or adjust frequencies, and retain trunk services for the elderly and disabled.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed free public transport for seniors and the disabled to boost employment, social engagement, and sustainability, estimating an annual cost of $0.3–0.4 billion and suggesting off-peak free rides as a compromise.
Melvin Yong asked for an update on the government's review of banning worker transport in lorry rear decks and on interim safety measures like speed limiters and seat belts, emphasizing worker safety.

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