Infrastructure & development — Topics

9 Jan 2017

Planning (Amendment) Bill

The Planning (Amendment) Bill was introduced by Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong to amend the Planning Act (Chapter 232).
The bill underwent its first reading and was scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting.
The amendment aims to update planning regulations and procedures under the existing legislative framework.
The debate focused on the necessity and implications of the proposed changes to the Planning Act.
The bill was subsequently printed for further legislative consideration.

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9 Jan 2017

Impact on Singapore of Construction of Kuala Linggi International Port in Malacca

The Senior Minister of State for Transport stated that the expansion of Kuala Linggi International Port is expected to have minimal immediate impact on Singapore’s status as a regional shipping hub and economy, given its smaller scale, lack of container facilities, and Singapore’s strong ecosystem, but emphasized the need to remain competitive through technology investments, feedback integration, manpower development, and the upcoming Tuas terminal.
Member of Parliament Saktiandi Supaat raised concerns about potential commercial shifts if the Malacca Gateway project succeeds, questioning whether shipping companies might relocate operations, and sought assurance on how such scenarios are considered.
The Minister responded that commercial viability is key, with Singapore focusing on efficiency, reliable service, and strategic investments to ensure shipping companies find it more advantageous to use Singapore’s ports, thereby addressing competitive risks proactively.

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9 Nov 2016

Solutions or Replacement for Bukit Panjang LRT System

The Minister for Transport explained that the Bukit Panjang LRT's unreliability stems from its challenging urban design, including sharp bends and undulating terrain, and identified power rail and track-switching issues as key problems, with plans to redesign the station layout and replace aging components to improve reliability over the next four to five years.
He confirmed that replacing the LRT with a bus-only system is not feasible due to road capacity constraints, and assured that interim improvements to breakdown responses and feeder bus services are being made to minimise resident inconvenience.
The Minister defended SMRT's current team, stating they are committed to service improvement and that recent feedback from commuters indicates disruptions have lessened, while also noting that the BPLRT has been loss-making but is viewed as part of a broader public service portfolio requiring timely investments.

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8 Nov 2016

Impact on Carpark Provisions with Redevelopment of Golden Shoe Complex

Ang Wei Neng asked about the impact of redeveloping Golden Shoe Car Park into an office building on CBD parking and if car park guidelines for buildings in and outside the CBD are being revised.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that there are adequate parking lots in the vicinity and ample public transport options, including MRT stations and bus services.
He stated that the Land Transport Authority will periodically revise car park requirements in line with public transport expansion and the car-lite strategy.

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8 Nov 2016

Alternatives to Partial Demolition of Ellison Building

The debate centered on whether the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) could have realigned the North-South Corridor to avoid affecting Ellison Building, with questions raised about stakeholder consultation, heritage loss, and alternative options.
The Senior Minister of State explained that tight underground infrastructure constraints made a complete avoidance of Ellison Building impossible, but detailed studies reduced the impact to one shophouse unit, and agencies are working with heritage groups on mitigation measures.
Concerns were raised about earlier engagement of NGOs, the need for a mandatory cultural impact assessment, and whether the decision to partially demolish was the best option, with the Minister noting current conservation processes and plans to study heritage surveys further.

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7 Nov 2016

Provision of Parking Lots in Proposed BTO Development in Kaki Bukit

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked about the number of parking lots in the new Kaki Bukit BTO development and whether more could be built to ease shortages at nearby car parks.
The Minister confirmed the BTO development will have 66 car park lots and 34 motorcycle lots.
He stated that car parks B45 and B48 at Bedok North Street 3 currently have enough lots for residents' season parking but face high short-term demand due to local amenities.
Due to site constraints, no new lots can be added, but HDB will reconfigure B45 to provide more loading and unloading bays to ease congestion.

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7 Nov 2016

Planning Process for Installation of Mobile Phone Base Stations

The Minister for National Development explained that while new buildings should have adequate mobile coverage, current practices involve installing base stations on HDB rooftops before residents move in, with potential delays due to construction issues.
HDB, together with Town Councils, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), is working to expedite approval processes and incorporate MNO requirements early in the planning phase of new HDB developments to speed up installations.
The Ministry of Communications and Information and IDA are considering amendments to the Telecommunications Act to allow using rooftops of one building to provide coverage for adjacent buildings, enhancing mobile coverage flexibility.
The Ministry believes that mandating mobile coverage as a Temporary Occupation Permit condition for each building may not be necessary, as effective stakeholder cooperation is more critical for timely and adequate coverage.
The response emphasizes ongoing efforts to improve the planning process without necessarily making mobile coverage a mandatory compliance for building permits.

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7 Nov 2016

Status of Proposed Integrated Development at Open Field next to Buangkok MRT Station

Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the progress of the proposed integrated development at the open field next to Buangkok MRT station.
Lawrence Wong stated the site will feature a residential development integrated with a bus interchange, MRT station, community facilities, and commercial amenities.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority is collaborating with other agencies to plan and integrate the various uses while considering their specific requirements.
Further details will be provided once the plans are finalized.

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7 Nov 2016

Lifts for Private Buildings More than Three Storeys in Height

Melvin Yong asked about the number of private buildings above three storeys without lifts and plans to encourage lift installation for accessibility, while Lawrence Wong explained that only buildings five storeys and above are required to have lifts, with about 370 low-rise private buildings currently without them, and the government offers incentives through an Accessibility Fund to co-pay up to 80% of lift installation costs, which has supported 79 developments and was extended until March 2022.

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7 Nov 2016

Ramps for HDB Flats with Steps at Entrances

Melvin Yong asked about the number of HDB flats with multi-step entrances, the possibility of subsidised ramps for accessibility, and the earliest timeline for installation given Singapore’s ageing population.
Lawrence Wong explained that over 100,000 older HDB flats built in the 1970s–80s had multi-step entrances for privacy and security, but these now pose challenges for elderly and wheelchair users.
He noted that any solution must be customised to each block’s configuration, corridor space, and fire safety requirements, and may be rolled out under the Enhancement for Active Seniors scheme or other programmes.
Wong said HDB is exploring financial assistance options with other agencies for low-income families and is working to streamline the application process for residents who want to install ramps privately.
In the meantime, residents can approach HDB branches for help with ramp installation and may seek financial aid from voluntary welfare organisations or community advisers.

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7 Nov 2016

Motor Vehicle Accidents Involving Injury or Death of Elderly

From 2013 to 2016, 4% of accidents involving elderly pedestrians resulted in serious injuries and 11% in fatalities.
The Land Transport Authority launched the Silver Zone programme in 2014, which reduced accidents involving seniors from over 40 in five years to just one in implemented areas.
Plans include expanding Silver Zones to 50 locations by 2023 and enhancing features like Green Man Plus and road dividers to improve pedestrian safety for seniors.

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7 Nov 2016

Update on Completion of Terminal 4 at Changi Airport

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether Terminal 4 at Changi Airport would be completed and open ahead of schedule and the expected passenger volume in its first three years.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that construction is on track for completion by the end of this year, with operations starting in the second half of 2017 after trials.
The terminal is projected to handle 8 to 10 million passengers annually during its first three years.

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7 Nov 2016

Parallel Road to KPE as Additional Route for Motorists Travelling between Hougang and Ubi

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Transport about building a parallel road to the KPE for motorists between Hougang and Ubi and increasing the speed limit to 90 km/h on a specific KPE stretch.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that building more roads is unsustainable in land-scarce Singapore and only provides temporary congestion relief, so the focus is on promoting public transport, managing traffic demand, and tightening vehicle population growth.
He noted that capacity improvements include adding trains to the North-East Line and new bus services, and that traffic speed monitoring may lead to introducing Electronic Road Pricing on KPE.
Khaw added that increasing the speed limit on the specified KPE stretch is not feasible for safety reasons due to insufficient sight distance for speeds above 80 km/h.

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10 Oct 2016

Plans to Augment LTA's Capabilities Given Expanded Roles

LTA has increased its headcount by about 35% since 2013 and will add 900 more engineering positions in the next two years to support its expanded roles.
LTA is learning from international models through advisory panels and study visits to places like Hong Kong, Taipei, London, and countries such as the UK, Sweden, Australia, and Germany.
LTA has restructured into four new specialist teams for rail and bus asset management, bus tendering and contracts, and High Speed Rail, with plans to further reorganise as projects evolve.

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10 Oct 2016

Benefits of Noise Barriers along MRT Tracks

The Minister confirmed that noise barriers along MRT tracks have successfully reduced noise levels by about five decibels.
The Ministry is focusing installation efforts on residential areas where noise exceeds the 67 decibels per hour threshold, citing resource and maintenance constraints.
Alternative noise mitigation measures, such as noise-dampening wheels, improved track materials, and more frequent servicing, are being explored in parallel.

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10 Oct 2016

Solar Panels for HDB Flats under SolarNova Tender

Pritam Singh requested data on the number of HDB blocks selected for solar panels under each Town Council and those shortlisted for the 2016 SolarNova tender.
Lawrence Wong stated that around 6,000 HDB blocks islandwide are suitable, with progressive installation planned under SolarNova.
To date, about 1,800 blocks have been selected across all Town Councils, including Aljunied-Hougang, for installation or ongoing work.
For the 2016 tender, 600 blocks in Ang Mo Kio and Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Councils have been selected.
The selection is based on roof design, space availability, and solar irradiance potential.

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10 Oct 2016

Reconstruction of Apron Drains and Uneven Void Deck Floors in Neighbourhood Renewal Programme

Pritam Singh asked whether HDB will allow Town Councils to reconstruct apron drains and re-screed void decks under block-related works in the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme.
Lawrence Wong confirmed that since September 2014, the programme’s scope has been expanded to include such repairs for projects selected from FY2015 onward.
He added that HDB had informed all Town Councils of this expanded scope in September 2014.

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10 Oct 2016

Preserving our Heritage, Culture and History – Conserving Dakota Crescent

Lim Biow Chuan argued for preserving Dakota Crescent to maintain Singapore’s collective memory and identity, highlighting its historical significance as one of the first public housing projects and its unique architectural features, while acknowledging the need for balanced development.
Kok Heng Leun supported the motion, citing international examples where heritage sites were adaptively reused to enrich communities, and emphasized that conservation and development can coexist through cultural planning and ground-up initiatives like the Dakota Crescent proposal.
Senior Minister of State Desmond Lee affirmed the government’s commitment to heritage conservation, explaining the rigorous evaluation process for preserving buildings and noting that NHB and URA are open to engaging with the community’s proposals for Dakota Crescent’s future.

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13 Sep 2016

Update on Delayed Construction of Singapore's First Co-digestion Plant at PUB's Ulu Pandan Water Reclamation Plant

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on the delayed co-digestion plant at Ulu Pandan, whether fraud was involved, and what assistance would be provided to affected SMEs.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained the project aims to test Anaergia Inc's technology under a co-funded scheme, faced delays due to the local representative's issues, but resumed after the parent company appointed another subsidiary, with completion expected by December 2016.
PUB paid the main contractor promptly but does not directly handle subcontractor payments; subcontractors facing non-payment from APL were advised to seek legal redress, with some having obtained court judgments, and fraud involvement is not commented on.

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13 Sep 2016

HDB Void Decks with Accessibility Issues Due to Difference in Height between Void Deck and Surrounding Pavement

Leon Perera raised concerns about HDB void decks being raised platforms that create accessibility barriers for wheelchair users and those with mobility devices, and asked for statistics, modification progress, future plans, and safety assessments.
Lawrence Wong explained that raised void decks are found mainly in older HDB blocks to prevent rainwater wetting, while newer blocks do not have them, and the government has been proactive with barrier-free accessibility programs since 2006.
He noted that the Barrier Free Accessibility Programme and Lift Upgrading Programme have retrofitted estates with ramps and handrails, but some locations remain challenging due to technical or site constraints, and further improvements can be made through Town Council works or renewal programs.

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