Infrastructure & development — Topics

10 Jan 2022

Plan to Build HDB flats at Seletar Next to Punggol

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development about plans to build HDB flats at Seletar next to Punggol.
Desmond Lee confirmed the Master Plan 2019 shows Seletar land is for the airport and industrial uses, with no residential zoning.
He noted there are no parcels zoned "Residential" in Seletar but said land-use plans are regularly reviewed to address changing population needs.

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10 Jan 2022

Land Parcels in Sengkang, Jalan Kayu and Punggol Reserved for HDB development and Potential Supply of Public Housing in These Areas

Gan Thiam Poh asked about reserved land parcels in Sengkang, Jalan Kayu, and Punggol for HDB development and the potential supply of public housing.
Desmond Lee confirmed that there are gazetted residential land parcels in Sengkang and Punggol, including areas like Fernvale and parts of Punggol, that are safeguarded for future development.
These parcels are planned for both private housing and community facilities, with ongoing reviews by government agencies.
More detailed information will be shared once the review of these specific areas is completed.

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10 Jan 2022

Projected Average Waiting Time for HDB BTO Projects and Measures to Reduce Waiting Time in View of Prolonged COVID-19 Situation

The Minister for National Development reported that while the pandemic has caused some delays of six to 12 months, the waiting time for upcoming HDB BTO projects is projected to range from 2.5 to 5.5 years, similar to pre-pandemic periods, with most buyers moving in within four to five years.
To mitigate disruptions from COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, the government has implemented measures such as supporting firms to recruit more foreign workers and co-sharing increased manpower costs, in addition to existing support like advance payments and levy rebates.
The government continues to closely monitor the global pandemic and construction market to ensure an adequate supply of HDB flats that remains responsive to the population's housing needs.

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10 Jan 2022

Three Most Frequently Visited Parks and Plans to Develop More Coastal Parks for Recreation and Gathering

NParks conducts biennial surveys and the most frequently visited parks in the 2021 survey were East Coast Park, Jurong Lake Gardens, and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, with their natural landscapes and ambience cited as key attractions.
The Ministry is expanding Singapore’s network of parks as part of the City in Nature vision, including more coastal parks.
Future coastal parks to be developed include Lim Chu Kang Nature Park, Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park, and Khatib Bongsu Nature Park.
These new coastal parks will provide greater access to spaces for sensitive, nature-based recreation and gatherings.
The plans align with efforts to enhance recreational opportunities and ecological connectivity across Singapore’s park network.

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10 Jan 2022

Plans to Redevelop Former Bedok Town Secondary School and Min Xin Primary School Sites Along Bedok North Street 3

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap inquired about redevelopment plans for the former Bedok Town Secondary School and Min Xin Primary School sites along Bedok North Street 3.
Desmond Lee confirmed the sites are zoned Residential in the Master Plan 2019 and safeguarded for future residential developments.
Government agencies are currently working on future plans for the site and will share more information with the public when ready.

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10 Jan 2022

Update on Integrated Development Comprising Polyclinic, Dialysis Centre and Nursing Home at Jalan Damai

Pritam Singh asked if the integrated development at Jalan Damai with a polyclinic, dialysis centre and nursing home would be delivered by 2024.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed the project was initially announced for completion in 2025, but is now delayed to 2026.
The delay is due to additional time needed to redesign the polyclinic for better infection disease control and future pandemic preparedness.

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10 Jan 2022

Electric Cars Sold in Last Six Months and Plans to Set Up Electric Charging Stations and Reskill Automotive Industry

In the second half of 2021, 1,400 new electric cars were sold, making up 7.2% of total new car registrations.
The government plans to deploy 60,000 charging points by 2030, with 40,000 in public carparks and 20,000 at private premises, and will work with operators to address high-demand locations while reviewing plans based on adoption rates.
The government is facilitating private building charging installations through grants and initiatives, noting strong interest from private building owners.
The government is partnering with industry to reskill automotive workers, including training at least 1,000 technicians over the next three years to maintain electric vehicles.

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10 Jan 2022

Number of Electric Vehicle Chargers Installed in 2021 and Expected Number to be Installed from 2022 to 2025

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the number of EV chargers installed in 2021 and expected from 2022 to 2025.
Minister S Iswaran stated there are around 2,200 EV charging points in Singapore, with about 300 installed by commercial operators in 2021.
Over 600 charging points will be deployed in 2022 through a joint LTA-URA pilot at public carparks, alongside installations in private residences, malls, and petrol stations.
LTA will monitor EV adoption and accelerate charging network deployment to meet the 2030 target of 60,000 points islandwide.

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10 Jan 2022

Update on Hawker Centre Plans for Choa Chu Kang Town Centre

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked for the status, location, and timeline of the planned hawker centre in Choa Chu Kang Town Centre.
Grace Fu Hai Yien replied that the hawker centre will be part of a mixed-use development, with construction starting after Phase 1 of the Jurong Region Line works, projected for completion in 2027.
Agencies are currently studying the development plans and will provide further updates when ready.
Additionally, a new hawker centre in the nearby Yew Tee Integrated Development is projected to be completed in 2027.

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10 Jan 2022

Locations and Factors to Consider in Siting of Public Rental Flats

The Ministry plans public rental flats alongside sold units in Build-To-Order projects within existing towns or new areas, prioritizing sites with good access to amenities over direct MRT proximity.
While rental flats may not always be near MRT stations, planning considers a range of locations and flat types across towns to provide tenant choice and maintain inclusivity.
New rental flats are integrated with sold flats in the same blocks and included in Prime Location Housing projects where possible to foster mixed communities.

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10 Jan 2022

Capacity at Crematoria to Meet Demand

Murali Pillai inquired about past capacity issues, future expansion plans, and environmentally friendly cremation methods at NEA's crematoria.
Grace Fu confirmed that Mandai Crematorium currently meets demand, with extra slots added during peak periods and a second crematorium planned for 2024 to address long-term needs.
NEA maintains its cremators for efficiency and is studying new technologies to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions from cremation.

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10 Jan 2022

Take-up Rates of Internal Combustion Engine and Electric Vehicles, and Changes to Energy Grid to Support EVs

Miss Cheryl Chan asked for the take-up rates of internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) as well as changes to the energy grid to support EV chargers.
In 2021, EVs made up 3.8% of new car registrations in Singapore, up from 0.2% in 2020, while the majority remained internal combustion engine vehicles.
To support EV charging, the government will upgrade over 1,000 switch rooms and 900 substations in residential areas to enable charger deployment by 2040.
The Land Transport Authority is collaborating with the Energy Market Authority and Housing & Development Board to assess the pace and extent of these infrastructure upgrades.

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3 Nov 2021

Criteria for Locating Coffee Shops or Eateries within an HDB Estate

HDB designs towns to be self-sufficient, with commercial facilities like coffee shops planned in Town Centres, neighbourhood centres, and precinct shops to ensure most residents have access to an eating house within a 400-metre walk.
The allocation of commercial space, including coffee shops, considers the number of dwelling units and the availability of similar facilities nearby to avoid oversupply.
HDB eating house operators are required to provide at least one halal food stall, and vegetarian options are commonly available to cater to diverse dietary needs.

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3 Nov 2021

Availability of Studies on Whether Pandemic Vulnerability is Shaped by Urban Design, Demographics and Movements of Residents

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked whether studies are being conducted on how pandemic vulnerability is influenced by urban design, demographics, and resident movements, and what findings and lessons have been identified for future urban planning.
Desmond Lee responded that the government adopts a holistic approach to urban planning to ensure liveability and safety, with ongoing studies and reviews to future-proof Singapore against health threats like pandemics.
Current findings highlight the importance of adequate ventilation in mitigating disease transmission, leading to regulatory requirements for new and existing buildings to incorporate proper ventilation standards.
Improved standards have been developed for migrant worker dormitories to enhance resilience and liveability, including better ventilation and modular designs to reduce intermixing.
The government remains committed to continuing studies on environmental design to better mitigate future pandemic risks.

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3 Nov 2021

Australia-Asia Power Link to Supply 15% of Renewable Energy for Singapore

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked whether the Australia-Asia Power Link project is part of Singapore’s Green Plan and if its multi-billion investment would raise energy costs.
Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed the project aligns with the Green Plan’s Energy Reset pillar, which includes importing renewable energy to supplement Singapore’s limited local resources.
Singapore aims to import up to 4 gigawatts of low-carbon electricity by 2035, which could supply around 30% of its electricity needs.
The Energy Market Authority will run a competitive bidding process to ensure imported electricity is cost-competitive, with final prices depending on factors like source distance and technology.
The government emphasized collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve a cleaner, efficient, and secure energy future for Singapore.

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3 Nov 2021

Impact of Delayed Major Construction Projects on Singapore Economy

Manpower shortages in the construction sector have reduced output, with its real value-added 25% below pre-pandemic levels in the first three quarters of 2021.
Despite project delays, Singapore's overall economy remained resilient, with real GDP recovering to 0.6% above pre-pandemic levels in the same period, supported by strong manufacturing and finance sectors.
The government has implemented measures to ease manpower constraints, including easier retention of existing workers and assistance for bringing in new workers, while working with firms to meet project needs.

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3 Nov 2021

Take-up for Enhancement for Active Seniors Programme and Plans to Build Elderly-, Child- and Disabled-friendly Features in HDB Flats and Estates

The Ministry of National Development has incorporated universal design principles in all new HDB developments since 2006, including barrier-free access, wider corridors, and features like three-generation playgrounds to serve residents across all life stages.
The Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme, which provides safety and mobility enhancements for seniors, has benefited over 242,000 households as of September 2021, alongside other initiatives like short-lease Flexi flats and Community Care Apartments.
HDB is reviewing the pilot Wheelchair Lifter Programme, launched in 2018, which has seen positive feedback from users, and will consider expanding it to more estates based on the outcome of the review.

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2 Nov 2021

Measures to Experiment, Certify and Deploy New Construction Materials, Building Capabilities or Techniques to Reduce Construction Cost and Time

The Ministry highlighted that innovation and technology are key to transforming the construction industry, with BCA collaborating with agencies and industry to develop and deploy new solutions to enhance productivity and reduce time and costs.
Initiatives like the Built Environment Accelerate-to-Market Programme (BEAMP) and the Building Innovation Panel (BIP) support innovators and facilitate regulatory clearances for deploying new construction solutions.
HDB prices flats based on market value with significant subsidies for affordability, not directly on construction costs, while BCA continues to work with HDB to deploy innovative solutions in projects.

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2 Nov 2021

Current and Projected Levels of Carbon Emission by Built Environment Sector and Plans to Enhance Green Financing for Construction Companies

The built environment sector emitted about 11 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent in 2018, with emissions expected to rise as construction recovers post-pandemic.
The Building and Construction Authority will mandate minimum sustainable construction practices like low-carbon concrete from December 2021, while the voluntary Green Mark scheme promotes reducing a building’s entire lifecycle carbon footprint.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore launched the Green and Sustainability-Linked Loans Grant Scheme to help companies cover costs for sustainability assessments and support banks in developing green loan frameworks.
Authorities are collaborating with industry groups to build green financing capabilities, including engaging banks on green building standards and raising awareness through workshops.
Plans include reducing embodied carbon through sustainable materials and design, and enhancing green financing access for construction companies via public-private partnerships.

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2 Nov 2021

Projected Increase in Water Demand and Usage to Support "30 by 30" Goal to Raise Local Food Production

The Ministry explained that under the "30 by 30" goal, the Singapore Food Agency will support the local agri-food sector through initiatives like the Lim Chu Kang Master Plan and the Agri-Food Cluster Transformation Fund to become productive and sustainable.
It highlighted that the sector will use technologies like water recirculation to be resource-efficient, noting that some indoor farms already use up to 95% less water than traditional farms, with water demand estimates reviewed regularly.
The Ministry stated that the Public Utilities Board works with agencies to ensure water infrastructure meets demand and remains affordable through energy-efficient technology and enhanced productivity.

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