Infrastructure & development — Topics

3 Oct 2017

Rationale for 75% Support Level from Households in Neighbourhood Renewal

The Minister explained that the 75% support level for the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme ensures resident needs are met and fosters ownership and belonging, with Town Councils encouraged to follow a 12-month timeline for tenders, though delays may occur due to project complexity.
MP Png Eng Huat questioned the 75% requirement, arguing that extensive consultations and optimized plans already ensure resident needs are addressed, suggesting a possible review to a lower threshold like 50%.
Residents have raised concerns about voting on projects they do not pay for, but the Minister maintained that the support level is necessary to confirm majority endorsement despite awareness efforts.
The debate highlighted differing views on balancing resident engagement with practical efficiency, as the Minister emphasized the importance of consensus while acknowledging project-specific variations.

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3 Oct 2017

Enhancing Fail-safe Redundancy in Internet Networks Given Digital Push with Smart Nation

The Minister confirmed that Singapore has 19 international submarine cable systems connecting to over 33 countries, providing multiple routes to key hubs and proven resilience during past typhoon-related cable damage.
Domestic broadband Internet is offered by multiple operators across the Nationwide Broadband Network, mobile networks, and fixed-line networks, with regulatory measures like the Telecom Service Resiliency Code to ensure network robustness.
Following historical incidents like the 2006 Taiwan earthquake, operators have redesigned cable networks to avoid single disaster-prone areas and use ring-topology to reroute traffic during cuts.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority conducts regular audits and works with operators to address systemic risks across the entire Internet infrastructure, especially with the planned entry of a fourth operator.
The government is actively encouraging new submarine cable landings in Singapore to enhance redundancy, protect cables in busy shipping lanes, and avoid disaster-prone areas as part of the Smart Nation digital push.

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2 Oct 2017

Location of Hawker Centre to be Built in Bukit Batok Town

Murali Pillai asked the Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources for the specific location and expected completion date of a new hawker centre planned for Bukit Batok Town.
Masagos Zulkifli confirmed that Bukit Batok is one of the towns slated to have a new hawker centre by 2027.
The Ministry stated that planning is in its early stages and details on location and timeline will be provided once plans are finalized.

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2 Oct 2017

Environmental Impact Assessment/Studies for Land Acquisition for Expansion of Tengah Air Base

Louis Ng asked if an environmental impact assessment was conducted for land acquisition for the Tengah Air Base expansion.
Lawrence Wong confirmed that an environmental study will be carried out before land preparation works begin.
The study will guide mitigation measures to minimize the expansion's impact on local flora and fauna.

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2 Oct 2017

Opening of Artic and Other Regional Trade and Connectivity Routes

Desmond Choo asked how Singapore is repositioning for new trade routes like the Arctic and how PSA must transform, while Khaw Boon Wan noted it is too early to assess the Arctic route's impact due to its current low commercial viability, limited seasonal use, and logistical challenges.
Singapore is prioritizing its port competitiveness by developing the new Tuas Terminal to handle up to 65-metre TEUs, ensuring capacity for future container shipping needs.
The Maritime and Port Authority and PSA are investing in technology, such as automated crane systems at Pasir Panjang Terminal, to boost efficiency, reliability, and safety.
The government will monitor global trends and collaborate with industry partners to maintain Singapore's status as a global hub port and maritime center.

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2 Oct 2017

Widening of Footpaths in Silver Zones

Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for Transport about the number of Silver Zones with widened footpaths, whether widening is part of the Silver Zone initiative, and when LTA would implement it for all zones.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that footpath widening is part of the Silver Zone programme to enhance road safety for the elderly, with seven of the 11 completed zones already having widened or dedicated paths.
New footpaths will be built to at least 1.8 metres wide, compared to the current standard of 1.5 metres, going forward.

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2 Oct 2017

Delay in Upgrading North-South and East-West MRT Lines

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned why the Government allowed SMRT's upgrade of the North-South and East-West MRT lines to be delayed from 2002 to 2012.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that under the original license, SMRT owned and was responsible for renewing rail assets, making the 2002 upgrade timing an internal decision that complied with regulatory requirements.
The Government has since transitioned to the New Rail Financing Framework, under which the Land Transport Authority owns the assets and now controls renewal and upgrade decisions.

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2 Oct 2017

Adequacy of Common Areas to Use for Funeral Wakes in View of Ageing Population and Smaller Void Deck Space

Tan Wu Meng questioned whether limited void deck space for funeral wakes in newer HDB precincts affects government forecasts for funeral parlour capacity and how adequate capacity will be ensured in the future.
Masagos Zulkifli stated that most funeral wakes are held at HDB void decks and precinct pavilions, with a smaller proportion in other venues, and that overall wake spaces remain sufficient.
He explained that HDB plans new precincts to meet community needs and that agencies collaborate to provide sufficient land for funeral parlours.
The Ministry will continue monitoring demand for funeral spaces to ensure adequate wake spaces as Singapore's population ages.

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2 Oct 2017

Provision of Shared Common Space to Facilitate Informal Interactions

Dr Tan Wu Meng questioned how HDB plans for shared common spaces in new precincts, whether provisions have declined per resident, and how future spaces will be ensured for informal interaction, community gatherings, and bereavements.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB evolves its design with taller, more compact blocks, which reduce void deck space but are compensated by purpose-built facilities like precinct pavilions, playgrounds, and sky parks.
HDB has introduced amenities such as Community Living Rooms and integrated facilities to maximize informal interactions, with surveys showing resident satisfaction, and will continue reviewing provisions to meet changing community needs.

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2 Oct 2017

Private Residential Developments Encouraged to Accommodate Barrier-free Link-bridges

The Urban Redevelopment Authority requires developers of large commercial and institutional buildings to submit Walking and Cycling Plans that include barrier-free linkages to neighbouring HDB estates.
Developers are incentivised by having the floor area of qualifying link-bridges excluded from the gross floor area cap, and Government Land Sales tenders mandate such connectivity.
All buildings must comply with the Building and Construction Authority’s accessibility code, with older buildings eligible for grants to upgrade barrier-free features.

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2 Oct 2017

Promoting Competitive Cycling

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth for more support for competitive cycling and the outcome of the 2014 velodrome feasibility study, following the cycling team's good showing at the 2017 SEA Games.
Grace Fu Hai Yien congratulated Singapore's cycling athletes for their medals at the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, including historic firsts for women's track cycling and APG cycling.
Sport Singapore (SportSG) collaborates with the Singapore Cycling Federation, providing funding for staff, coaches, facilities, overseas training, and campaign support, plus sports medicine and science assistance through the Singapore Sports Institute.
SportSG's feasibility study on a velodrome is ongoing, with careful assessment required due to significant investment and competing sports infrastructure needs.

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2 Oct 2017

Preserving Green Spaces and Heritage in Jalan Kayu Constituency

Intan Azura Mokhtar proposed preserving Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Singapore's last mainland kampung, as a heritage education site to integrate it with planned schools rather than displacing residents for a highway and school construction.
She also suggested converting a planned highway strip near Gerald Drive into a linear nature park with cycling and footpaths to preserve green space and address residents' concerns about traffic and environmental impact.
The Second Minister for National Development responded that the kampung's development plans are not immediate and will involve stakeholder engagement in the future, while the highway is needed to support upcoming housing and traffic demands, though alternative green spaces exist.

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2 Oct 2017

Infrastructure Protection Bill

The Infrastructure Protection Bill establishes a legal framework to require critical, high-footfall, and iconic buildings to incorporate security-by-design principles during construction or major renovations, with the Commissioner of Infrastructure Protection overseeing compliance.
The bill grants authorities powers to issue security directives and emergency orders to protect other buildings deemed at risk, and enhances protections for sensitive locations by prohibiting unauthorized photography and allowing security officers to address threats in surrounding areas.
Stakeholders raised concerns about potential costs for building owners, the need for clear guidelines on designated buildings, and the importance of training security personnel, with the government emphasizing that security-by-design can be cost-effective and that measures will be implemented reasonably.

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2 Oct 2017

Update on Batch 10 of Estate Upgrading Programme

Batch 10 of the Estate Upgrading Programme has been deferred and nominations have not yet been called, as the government is focusing on completing 17 ongoing projects from earlier batches to better manage resources.
The evaluation of nominations typically takes eight to ten months, depending on the number and completeness of applications, with Batch 9's 55 nominations taking about eight months to process.
Private estates rely on the EUP for upgrades, and while urgent repairs can be addressed separately, the Ministry is pacing new projects to ensure quality and resource management before activating Batch 10 nominations.
The EUP process is ground-up, with residents providing input through neighbourhood committees, and MPs are notified of plans once timelines are settled, regardless of party affiliation.

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2 Oct 2017

Improving Reliability of Bukit Panjang LRT System

The government plans to renew the aging Bukit Panjang LRT system by awarding a contract in early 2018, which will substantially improve long-term reliability, while immediate short-term measures include power rail checks, a backup power source, and a quick-response team to shorten service disruptions.
Commuters will face temporary inconvenience during works, such as potentially shorter operating hours due to extended engineering time, and the operator will deploy additional buses during breakdowns, though capacity is limited to avoid traffic congestion in the mature estate.
The Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub will enable faster bus deployment during LRT stoppages, but the minister noted that upgrading the North-South Line is progressing with maintenance and signaling upgrades, though no LRT plan is currently in the works for Yishun Town.

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2 Oct 2017

Decisions to Build Bukit Panjang LRT System

The Bukit Panjang LRT was built in the 1990s as a pilot to bridge the last-mile gap from the MRT and ease congestion, but its design was adapted from an airport system for a housing estate with undulating terrain, leading to frequent faults like power trips at sharp bends.
The government faces challenges due to these topographical constraints, which were cited by former officials as reasons for not rebuilding the entire line, and the system is now set for an overhaul tender as it nears the end of its design life.
Questions were raised about the design responsibility and tender selection, noting that the lowest bidder, Keppel Integrated Engineering, offered a significantly lower cost compared to similar projects in the region.

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11 Sep 2017

Plans for Preservation of Ellison Building Affected by Construction of North-South Expressway

Mr Kok Heng Leun asked the Minister for National Development for an update on alternative plans to preserve the Ellison Building during the construction of the North-South Expressway.
Lawrence Wong stated that the Land Transport Authority and conservation specialists are studying options to minimize impact on the affected shophouse unit, with ongoing assessments of risks to both the building and the expressway.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority and Land Transport Authority will engage heritage groups again before making a final decision.

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11 Sep 2017

Number of Older HDB Multi-storey Car Parks Installed with Lifts

Over the past five years, HDB has installed lifts in 510 older multi-storey car parks, representing 94% of the 544 such facilities without lifts.
Plans are in place to install lifts or other barrier-free access solutions, such as ramps, in the remaining 34 car parks.
The average cost for installing a lift in a multi-storey car park is approximately $350,000, with annual maintenance costing about $13,000.

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11 Sep 2017

Number of MRT Train Incidents from January to August 2017

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the total number of MRT incidents from January to August 2017, including those due to signal integration work on the North-South and East-West Lines.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan reported 149 delays lasting over five minutes, with 90 linked to the new signalling system on the North-South Line and Tuas West Extension.
Delays peaked in June but dropped to seven in August, showing a declining trend as the new system stabilizes.
Testing on the East-West Line had not yet begun, and commuters were asked for continued patience.

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11 Sep 2017

Lift Construction at Braddell Road Overhead Bridge

Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for Transport to consider constructing a lift at the Braddell Road overhead bridge to help elderly residents.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the Land Transport Authority is studying the request and evaluating site suitability and lift installation criteria.
The debate centered on improving accessibility for elderly residents who regularly use the overhead bridge.
The Minister's response indicated an ongoing assessment rather than a firm commitment to proceed.
No further details or timeline for the decision were provided in the debate excerpts.

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