Infrastructure & development — Topics

23 Feb 2015

Future Development Plans for Potong Pasir and Lorong 8 Toa Payoh for Next Five Years

Mrs Lina Chiam inquired about future development plans for Potong Pasir and Lorong 8 Toa Payoh over the next five years.
Khaw Boon Wan announced new projects including mixed residential and commercial development near Potong Pasir MRT station and enhancements under PUB’s ABC Waters programme along Kallang River and Lorong 8 drain.
Sheltered linkways extending from Potong Pasir MRT station and cycling paths connecting to Kallang Park Connector are planned to improve connectivity and commuting options.

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23 Feb 2015

Annual Budget Statement

The Singapore government projects a near-balanced budget for FY2014 and aims for 2-4% GDP growth in 2015, with low inflation and a tight labor market, while outlining a long-term economic restructuring toward innovation and productivity.
A major focus is the "SkillsFuture" initiative to provide lifelong learning support, including a SkillsFuture Credit for all Singaporeans, enhanced subsidies for mid-career training, and grants to foster innovation and internationalization for businesses.
The budget introduces the Silver Support Scheme for low-income retirees, enhances CPF savings through a higher salary ceiling and contribution rates for older workers, and provides various cost-of-living support such as GST vouchers and education fee waivers.
To fund increased spending on healthcare, infrastructure (including Changi Airport Terminal 5), and social security, the government will include Temasek in the Net Investment Returns framework and raise the top marginal personal income tax rate from 20% to 22%.

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23 Feb 2015

Completion of Lift Upgrading Programme in Potong Pasir

Mrs Lina Chiam inquired about the status of the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) in Potong Pasir, specifically the number of precincts still undergoing work, reasons for delays, and the timeframe for remaining installations.
The Minister of State responded that all new lifts in the six precincts of Potong Pasir were completed and operational by the end of 2014, with remaining work focused on upgrading existing lifts and shutting down obsolete ones, to be finished by the end of the current year.
Mrs Lina Chiam sought clarification on the timeframe and reasons for any delays, emphasizing that many flats still appeared to be undergoing LUP work.
The Minister of State clarified there was no delay, reiterating that all new lifts were already installed and operational, and that the remaining work on existing lifts would be completed within the year.

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23 Feb 2015

Budget Overrun and Gateway Process for Huge Public Projects

Over the past decade, 12 public sector projects with budgets exceeding S$100 million experienced cost overruns of over 50%, totaling S$13 billion, largely due to global construction price surges and unforeseen project modifications.
The Gateway Process, mandatory for projects over S$500 million, subjects high-value projects to rigorous technical and financial reviews to optimize design and cost-effectiveness, though its threshold is considered appropriate by the government, with flexibility to apply it to smaller high-risk projects.
Public release of Value-for-Money Review Office reports is restricted due to sensitive tender and cost information, but findings are shared internally across government agencies to promote learning and best practices in project management.

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23 Feb 2015

Subsidies for Public Transport

The Singapore government has deployed about $14 billion in public transport subsidies over the past five years and committed $26 billion for the next five, averaging nearly $4 billion annually over ten years.
Subsidies cover infrastructure, rail and bus network costs, service enhancements to avoid fare hikes, and direct fare support for lower-income workers and persons with disabilities, though direct per-person averages are not calculated due to system differences.
The government emphasizes fare affordability for commuters but avoids comparing subsidy levels with other cities, noting differences in ridership, income, and operating costs.
Financial sustainability is prioritized through regular fare reviews to ensure the public transport system remains viable without excessive burden on taxpayers.

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13 Feb 2015

Guidelines for Covered Pedestrian Overhead Bridges Spanning Across Expressways

The Ministry plans to cover all pedestrian overhead bridges over time, prioritizing those with high pedestrian usage or proximity to transport nodes.
The Ministry encourages a review of guidelines to include standard shelters for all bridges connecting residential estates, even without meeting transport node criteria.
Efforts are underway to make overhead bridges more accessible for the elderly, wheelchair users, cyclists, and parents with prams.

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12 Feb 2015

Number of HDB Flats and Private Condominium Units Built in 2013 and 2014

In 2013 and 2014, a total of 31,644 private residential units were completed.
Over the same period, 44,488 public housing units were completed, with 43,307 for sale and 1,181 for rental.

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12 Feb 2015

Municipal Development Plan for Bukit Batok

David Ong inquired about the municipal development plan for Bukit Batok and the surveys ensuring adequate infrastructure, amenities, and traffic flow amid new residential projects.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that HDB plans towns comprehensively, working with agencies to provide facilities and land for commercial, educational, and community uses, with new BTO projects launched in Bukit Batok.
He noted that infrastructure like MRT stations, a bus interchange, and road networks are in place, with a traffic consultant assessing road capacity to prevent gridlock as the population grows.

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12 Feb 2015

Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill

The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Land Acquisition Act to allow the compulsory acquisition of airspace above or subterranean space below the surface of land, expanding the government's powers for development purposes.
The bill was presented by Senior Minister of State for Law Ms Indranee Rajah, read for the first time, and scheduled for a second reading in a future parliamentary sitting.
The amendments will also involve related changes to other written laws to ensure consistency and support the new provisions for stratum acquisition.

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12 Feb 2015

Ensuring Sufficient Numbers of Preschool Centres and Childcare Teachers

The Ministry is on track to add 200 new childcare centres with 20,000 places, having already created 17,000 new places, and monitors demand to expand capacity in estates with young families.
The Early Childhood Development Agency has implemented multiple initiatives, including career fairs and a traineeship programme, to attract and retain preschool teachers, with a four-pronged strategy to reduce the high attrition rate.
Efforts are underway to integrate childcare spaces into new housing developments, and the Ministry will collaborate with other agencies to address student care needs as part of broader family support measures.

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12 Feb 2015

Government Contracts Exceeding $10 Million Awarded to Lowest Bidder

Mr. Yee Jenn Jong asked about the proportion of government infrastructure projects over $10 million awarded to the lowest bidder from 2012 to 2014 and how productivity considerations factored into these awards.
The Senior Minister of State replied that about three-quarters of the 590 projects above $10 million during that period went to the lowest bidders, but all such projects are evaluated under the Price-Quality Method, which considers productivity.
Mr. Yee raised concerns about the viability of low bids, asking about correlations with project failures and the weightage given to productivity, to which the Minister stated that very few projects stall due to low bids and productivity weightage ranges from 20% to 40% depending on project complexity.
The Ministry also emphasized its ongoing efforts to incentivize higher productivity methods through industry support programs.

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29 Jan 2015

Non-religious Entities Bidding for Developments Zoned for Places of Worship

Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that tenders for Places of Worship sites have historically been open to companies affiliated with religious organisations, with the winning bid from the highest eligible bidder, but the recent Sengkang case revealed a for-profit company without religious affiliation won the tender intending to build a commercial columbarium, which does not align with the site's planned use as a temple.
The government is discussing with the company to restore the Sengkang site to its original purpose as a Chinese temple and is conducting a review to tighten tender criteria, such as requiring bidders to be directly linked to religious groups, to prevent future mismatches and ensure fair competition for religious organisations.
Several MPs raised concerns about non-religious entities bidding for worship sites, potential increases in land prices disadvantaging smaller temples, and the need for clearer communication in sales brochures, with the minister emphasising ongoing reviews, standard operating procedures for transparency, and the distinction between incidental temple columbaria and commercial ones.

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20 Jan 2015

Progress on Relocation of Paya Lebar Airbase

The relocation of Paya Lebar Airbase is a long-term project expected to be completed around 2030 and beyond, with expansions at Changi Airbase East and Tengah Airbase to accommodate assets and maintain operational readiness.
Ministries of Defence and National Development are currently focused on detailed planning, including constructing a new runway at Changi and designing facilities at Tengah, while ensuring coordination with Changi Airport’s ongoing expansion.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is strengthening its capabilities with systems like the ASTER-30 missile system and aerostat technology to safeguard Singapore’s security during the transition.

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20 Jan 2015

Restroom Facilities and Signages at Park Connectors

K Karthikeyan asked if the Ministry will consider providing toilets or signs for nearby public toilets in all park connectors.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that NParks has built about 240km of park connectors and provides amenities like toilets only at selective sites due to their extensive nature.
NParks is improving signages to direct visitors to nearby toilet facilities, placing them at strategic spots like junctions and gathering points.
For areas without close toilet facilities, NParks will study feasibility of adding them where space allows, and the new Round Island Route will incorporate toilets at appropriate locations.

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20 Jan 2015

Making HDB Flats Accessible to Wheelchairs and Ambulance Stretchers

Zaqy Mohamad questioned whether newer HDB flats have lifts designed for wheelchair and ambulance stretcher access, what proportion of existing flats cannot accommodate stretchers or moving the deceased, and if regulations will be enhanced for future upgrades.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that regulations require at least one lift per building to meet minimum dimensions for wheelchair access, and newer HDB lifts are larger and can accommodate wheelchairs or inclined stretchers.
However, current regulations do not require lifts to fit stretchers in a flat-lying position, and about 15% of lifts in HDB blocks cannot accommodate inclined stretchers, though some lifts in those blocks are large enough.
The Ministry noted that enlarging lifts beyond current standards is limited by the size of existing lift wells.

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20 Jan 2015

Safeguards for Construction Works Occurring near Densely Populated Residential Areas

Developers and contractors must conduct pre-construction surveys to assess nearby properties and erect protective hoarding to prevent debris hazards, while also controlling soil movement and vibration levels according to international standards.
Contractors must comply with noise limits set by the National Environment Agency, using measures like noise barriers and adhering to no-work rules on Sundays and public holidays near residential areas.
Construction sites with contracts over $10 million must employ an Environmental Control Officer to address environmental health issues, such as mosquito breeding, under the Environmental Public Health Act.
Residents can report issues to the Building and Construction Authority for safety concerns or to the National Environment Agency for environmental health problems via hotlines displayed on site signboards.
Contractors who violate regulations may face fines or prosecution under relevant laws, and authorities promote best practices through schemes like the Green and Gracious Builders Scheme.

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20 Jan 2015

Update on Major Construction Works for North-South Expressway

The North-South Expressway construction will likely start in 2016 instead of 2015 due to ongoing detailed engineering studies and tender processes.
The locations of the 16 entrances and 17 exits are published on the LTA website, and construction will not overlap with the two MRT stations in Ang Mo Kio.
LTA will conduct traffic impact assessments and provide lane replacements where possible, but some inconvenience is expected during construction.

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20 Jan 2015

Singapore's Flood Resilience Plans

Minister Vivian Balakrishnan provided an update on PUB’s comprehensive "source-pathway-receptor" approach to flood management, including upgraded drainage standards, completed and ongoing drainage works at over 300 locations, and new rules for developments to control stormwater runoff.
The Minister stated that the action plan has significantly reduced flood-prone areas from 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to about 34 hectares today, and is cautiously optimistic but not yet declaring victory, as continuous efforts and further enhancements are needed.
In response to Seng Han Thong’s query on additional initiatives beyond the 2012 expert panel recommendations, the Minister emphasized that all panel recommendations have been implemented and that PUB is open to addressing specific concerns while balancing costs and disruption in the context of long-term climate change.

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20 Jan 2015

Implication of Huge Net Deficit in HDB Budget

The HDB net deficit of $1.97 billion in FY2013/2014 is a deliberate outcome of government policies to provide affordable public housing, mainly from subsidies to flat buyers and CPF housing grants.
The deficit spike is due to a ramp-up in flat construction and upgrading programmes, and will remain high in the coming years as these projects are completed, though future levels depend on housing demand, policies, and costs.
The deficit is expected and managed through a deficit financing model, where the Ministry of Finance provides a grant to balance HDB’s accounts, and the current high building pace of 25,000 units per year is being tapered down.

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19 Jan 2015

Criteria for Classifying Roads as Private Roads and Their Conversion to Public Roads and Vice-versa

Under the Street Works Act, a public street is one where the general public has a right of way and it is vested in the Government, while all other streets are classified as private streets.
Private streets can be converted to public streets upon request by the owner if they meet the Land Transport Authority’s requirements for public streets and the conversion is deemed beneficial for the general public.
Public streets can be converted to private streets, typically through applications by private developers or property owners for redevelopment, and are assessed by the LTA on a case-by-case basis.

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