Infrastructure & development — Topics

5 Feb 2013

Land for Golf Courses

Irene Ng asked how many golf courses exist in Singapore, their total land area, the proportion of land used, plans for more golf courses, and the guiding principles for land allocation.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that there are 18 golf courses occupying 1,500 hectares, which is about 2% of Singapore’s total land area.
Khaw stated there are no plans to allocate more land for golf courses, and some current golf course land will be repurposed for more productive uses due to increasing land demands.
He noted that all golf courses are on leasehold land, with most on 30-year leases, allowing the government to progressively redevelop these areas.

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5 Feb 2013

Delays to Completion Deadline for Projects under Lift Upgrading Programme

The Minister reported that most Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) projects are completed ahead of schedule, but 12 projects were delayed last year due to three main reasons: resident requests for scope changes, consultations with affected residents over issues like blocked views, and unforeseen site constraints affecting underground services diversion.
HDB works with contractors to minimize delays and may seek Working Committee approval to revise completion dates if necessary, after which residents are informed of the new dates and reasons.
The debate was initiated by David Ong's questions about the number of delayed LUP projects and the specific reasons for each delay.

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5 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate highlighted concerns over rising business costs, particularly the impact of high COE prices on small businesses that rely on vehicles, with a call for alternative systems to manage operating expenses more reasonably.
Speakers addressed the need for a balanced approach to immigration, arguing that while a zero-immigration policy would harm SMEs and infrastructure projects, tighter controls and incentives like job advertising requirements could prioritize Singaporean employment.
There was emphasis on improving employment protections, such as extending notice periods and creating statutory unfair dismissal protections, to support Singaporean workers amid economic expansion and foreign labor competition.
Quality of life issues were raised, including the side effects of urban development like noise and privacy impacts, stressing the importance of detailed planning to maintain social cohesion and affordable housing.
The population White Paper was supported as a long-term planning tool, with a call for greater public involvement to ensure the plan reflects Singaporeans' ideas and concerns while building infrastructure for future needs.

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5 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

The debate focused on the government's proposal for a sustainable population policy, aiming for a potential population of up to 6.9 million by 2030 to address demographic challenges like an ageing population and low birth rates, with the goal of maintaining a strong Singaporean core and a dynamic economy.
Ministers and MPs emphasized that economic growth is not the end goal but a means to ensure Singaporeans' well-being, acknowledging public concerns over overcrowding, infrastructure strains, and competition, while defending the need for a calibrated pace of immigration to supplement the local workforce.
Alternative proposals, such as from the Workers' Party, advocated for lower GDP growth targets and a focus on growing the resident workforce through higher labor participation rather than immigration, leading to a projected population of 5.9 million by 2030, while the government stressed that its numbers are planning parameters, not fixed targets.
Key themes included the urgent need to improve total fertility rates through enhanced marriage and parenthood incentives, address infrastructure bottlenecks in transport and housing, and ensure policies benefit Singaporeans, with calls for medium-term reviews and mindset changes to support family life.

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5 Feb 2013

Car Ownership Trends

Over the last five years, Singapore's car population grew by an average of 4% annually, reaching 617,556 cars by end-2012, with about 45% of households owning a car and 8-9% owning more than one.
The growth rate has slowed to 1.9% per annum in recent years due to reduced allowable vehicle growth rates, which have been cut from 3% to 0.5% per annum to ensure sustainability amid land constraints.
Road infrastructure occupies nearly 12% of Singapore's land, and future vehicle growth will be moderated further, with projections indicating continued low growth rates.
A study on environmental impact was conducted under the National Climate Change Strategy 2012, leading to initiatives like the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme to reduce transport emissions.

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4 Feb 2013

Framework for Arts Spaces

The National Arts Council has implemented a new Framework for Arts Spaces, rolling out developments like the Goodman Arts Centre and upcoming Aliwal Arts Centre to better support artists and groups through capacity building and public engagement.
The government is facilitating co-location of arts groups in commercial developments via the Community/Sports Facilities Scheme, allowing them to pay only a service charge instead of rent, with examples including Very Special Arts and Singapore Dance Theatre.
Subsidised shared storage facilities are available at new arts centres, but the council continues to explore more affordable options, including partnerships with commercial players, to address storage challenges for dance and theatre companies.
The National Arts Council is working with the People’s Association to co-locate artists in community spaces and enhance facilities at community clubs, supporting programming and integrating arts into local hubs.

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4 Feb 2013

Take-up Rate for Large Vehicle Parking Lots

The Minister reported that there are 39,500 heavy vehicle parking lots for 33,000 registered vehicles, with most privately operated in industrial areas and the rest provided by URA and HDB at residential fringes, some on temporary land.
HDB has no plans to build more heavy vehicle lots within residential estates due to competing land uses and concerns about traffic nuisance and hazards to residents.
LTA requires heavy vehicle owners to secure designated parking before registration, and businesses are urged to arrange long-term parking and transport solutions for drivers rather than leaving it to individuals.

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4 Feb 2013

Sheltered Links between HDB Estates and MRT Stations

Lim Biow Chuan asked the Ministry for Transport to consider building sheltered linkways between HDB estates and MRT stations, specifically from Tanjong Rhu estate to Mountbatten MRT station.
Lui Tuck Yew stated that the Land Transport Authority, under the Walk2Ride programme, will expand sheltered linkway networks to connect various facilities within 400 metres of all MRT stations over the next five years.
The Walk2Ride programme specifically includes connecting Tanjong Rhu estate to Mountbatten MRT station via sheltered linkways along Mountbatten Road.
The expansion aims to improve pedestrian connectivity to schools, healthcare facilities, public amenities, and offices near MRT stations.

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4 Feb 2013

A Sustainable Population for A Dynamic Singapore

Intan Azura Mokhtar urged the government to better publicize and coordinate cost-of-living assistance schemes and to actively attract more Malay/Muslim immigrants to maintain racial stability, emphasizing support for Singaporean families before relying on foreigners.
Christopher de Souza stressed the need to preserve a strong Singaporean core identity, ensure meritocracy applies equally to locals and foreigners, and prioritize national security by staffing critical institutions with Singaporeans.
He called for infrastructure improvements—especially in housing and transport—to be completed ahead of population growth, and proposed stricter regulations on foreign property ownership to prevent market distortions.

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4 Feb 2013

Value-for-money Principle in Large Public Sector Infrastructure Projects

The Minister of State outlined Singapore’s multi-pronged approach to ensuring value-for-money in large public infrastructure projects, including a Gateway Process for rigorous review, dedicated in-house capabilities in major agencies, a Centre for Public Project Management (CP2M), and post-project reviews by a Value-for-Money Review Office.
An example was cited where the Singapore University of Technology and Design project achieved cost and land-use efficiency through Gateway reviews and CP2M input, such as reducing the campus footprint and relocating facilities.
Mr Lien questioned whether these measures have led to generally satisfactory project outcomes, citing past capacity losses and cost overruns like the Downtown Line, and sought the Ministry’s assessment of progress.
The Minister replied that 26 large projects have undergone the Gateway process since 2010, with cost savings to be confirmed at completion, and noted that while government capabilities may have shifted externally, expertise remains within Singapore.

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4 Feb 2013

Land Area Set Aside for Public and Private Housing

Png Eng Huat asked for the percentage of Singapore's land area used for public and private housing.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary stated that about 7% of land is allocated to public housing and another 7% to private housing, primarily in low-density zones.
Png Eng Huat inquired if the 7% figure was based on 2010 data, and the official confirmed it was.
The exchange highlighted that an equal share of land is dedicated to public and private housing in Singapore's land use planning.
The figures provided reflect data from 2010, indicating a long-term allocation strategy for residential land.

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14 Jan 2013

Provision of Sheltered or Underground Pedestrian Walkway Linking Marina Bay Station to Marina Bay Financial Centre and Surrounding New Developments

Gan Thiam Poh inquired about plans to build a sheltered or underground pedestrian walkway linking Marina Bay Station to Marina Bay Financial Centre and nearby developments, seeking a timeline for such facilities.
Lui Tuck Yew explained that temporary sheltered walkways will be provided during ongoing road realignments due to construction of Downtown Line 1 and the Marina Coastal Expressway.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority plans an extensive underground pedestrian network connecting Marina Bay developments to MRT stations, to be built progressively as surrounding land parcels are developed.

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14 Jan 2013

Train Noise Measurement Study

LTA completed an island-wide MRT noise measurement study in May 2012, which found noise levels exceeding guidelines in several locations, especially near turnout sections of rail viaducts.
A trial at Jurong East and Bishan showed that noise barriers could reduce train noise by about five decibels over an hour, leading LTA to award a contract in October 2012 to pilot barriers at Tampines, Jurong East, and Toh Guan.
The pilots aim to determine the most efficient design and installation methods, with findings to help LTA develop mitigation plans and share details at a later date.

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14 Jan 2013

Lifts at Overhead Bridges

Lim Biow Chuan asked the government to consider installing lifts at overhead bridges in estates with many elderly residents.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) began retrofitting lifts at six pedestrian overhead bridges near MRT stations in 2012 due to high usage and lack of nearby barrier-free alternatives.
LTA has studied expanding lift provision to more overhead bridges to better serve the elderly and other groups, and has decided in principle to launch a new programme for this.
More details on the new programme will be announced in the coming weeks after finalisation.

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14 Jan 2013

Waiting Time for Admission to Elderly Homes

There are about 60 nursing homes in Singapore providing 9,000 beds, with around 500 seniors currently on the waiting list and an average waiting time of four months for admission.
The Ministry of Health is building more nursing homes, adding over 500 beds in 2013 and 3,300 more by 2016 through the development of 10 new facilities.
To manage demand, the ministry is expanding home- and community-based care services, aiming to double home healthcare capacity and triple home social care services by 2020 to support aging in place.

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14 Jan 2013

Publicising BTO Sites in Advance

Gan Thiam Poh asked if the Ministry could share proposed new HDB BTO sites one year in advance and allow public registration of interest for better planning.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the Ministry will try to publish likely BTO towns for the next 12 months, but detailed sites cannot be finalized until about two months before launch due to evolving planning factors.
He added that allowing public registration for all proposed sites would not improve demand matching, as it lacks commitment and could crowd out genuine buyers, unlike the current one-application-per-exercise system.

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14 Jan 2013

Quick Build-up of Telecommunications Base Stations in New Estates

The Minister explained that time lags in setting up base stations in new estates arise from mobile operators needing to negotiate commercial terms with building or land owners, a process that can take three to 12 months.
To ensure telcos keep pace with new housing construction, the IDA has revised quality of service standards to include indoor coverage and is streamlining processes for HDB buildings, while a revised Code of Practice will require building developers to facilitate mobile coverage.
The Ministry emphasises that network design is a business decision for telcos, but they must meet regulatory coverage requirements, and IDA will continue monitoring developments to minimise inconvenience to residents.

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14 Jan 2013

Overcrowding in Restructured Hospitals

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef inquired how MOH manages overcrowding and high bed occupancy in public hospitals while awaiting new healthcare facilities to become operational.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined a multi-pronged strategy including right-siting care, discharging medically stable patients, transferring patients to step-down care, and using resources optimally.
Hospitals deploy inpatient teams to emergency departments, place subsidised patients in private wards temporarily, and transfer stable patients to hospitals with higher capacity to balance loads.
Short-term capacity measures include transition beds, renting private sector beds, and adding new beds via integrated buildings, with new hospitals like Ng Teng Fong General Hospital scheduled for completion by end-2014.
MOH closely monitors bed situations and ensures patient safety and timely care are not compromised while building long-term capacity.

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16 Nov 2012

ABC Waters Programme for Sungei Ulu Pandan

The Minister provided an update on the ABC Waters Programme, noting that 20 vicinities have been completed with three more, including Sungei Ulu Pandan, set for 2013, and that 31 further projects are planned.
The Minister shared an artist's impression of the Sungei Ulu Pandan project, describing it as a "river classroom" to enhance ecology education and biodiversity, with resident suggestions incorporated and regular updates promised.
Mr. de Souza asked if residents could have closer physical access to the water for learning, to which the Minister agreed the goal is access but emphasized the need to balance this with safety, citing examples like the Bishan canal.

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16 Nov 2012

Keeping Industrial Land Affordable for SMEs

Mr Inderjit Singh raised concerns about the sharp rise in industrial land prices by 60% over two years and asked for the Minister’s assessment of its economic impact, the proportion held by foreign investors, and whether the government should act as the primary landlord to ensure affordability for SMEs.
The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, highlighted that while industrial land prices have risen sharply, rentals have moderated, and the government will release more land through the Industrial Government Land Sale Programme with smaller parcels and shorter tenures to target SME needs.
Mr Lim clarified that industrial land cannot be converted to non-industrial uses, but enforcement is ongoing to prevent misuse of factory space, and he noted that foreign investment in industrial land is tracked anecdotally, with about 40% of factory space owner-occupied by SMEs and the remainder rented out.

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