Infrastructure & development — Topics

16 Oct 2012

Plans for The Float@Marina Bay

The Float@Marina Bay was built as a temporary 25,000-seat venue for the National Day Parade and other large events, and is available for public rental on non-event days.
The government intends to retain The Float for recreation, sports, and community use after the Sports Hub’s completion in 2014.
The Singapore Sports Council is working with relevant agencies to transform The Float into an active public space open for general use when no events are held.

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16 Oct 2012

Canal Deepening Exercise along Bukit Timah Road

Mr Christopher de Souza sought an update on the canal deepening exercise along Bukit Timah Road and its schedule.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan explained that the Bukit Timah Canal upgrade, started in December 2010, aims to increase capacity to reduce flash flood risks, with a 3.2 km diversion canal upgrade to be completed in 2016.
De Souza asked to prioritize widening and deepening the diversion canal near homes, to which the Minister assured that resident safety and property protection are paramount during construction.

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16 Oct 2012

Shortage of Haj Pilgrimage Places for Singaporeans

The Minister confirmed that Singapore’s official Haj quota is 680 places, which has been fully allocated, and additional places granted in previous years were not guaranteed, with the current shortfall due to Saudi construction projects affecting all countries.
Early booking losses for some Singaporean Muslims were attributed to travel agents taking business risks beyond the official quota, though the government is appealing to Saudi authorities and managing public expectations for possible future shortfalls.
The Haj management system is comprehensive and audited, with any past irregularities addressed, and the Minister advised the community to prepare for potential ongoing uncertainties in both Haj pilgrimage and overseas Korban arrangements.

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16 Oct 2012

Damages Caused by MRT Construction in Watten Estate

The property damage in Watten Estate was attributed to ground settlement caused by an unexpected and rapid drawdown of groundwater during Downtown Line 2 construction, with LTA taking immediate stabilisation measures and committing to full rectification after tunnelling completion.
The Transport Minister outlined that LTA conducts comprehensive pre-construction assessments and continuous monitoring, though Singapore's complex geology makes all risks impossible to foresee, as seen in previous incidents and the Watten Estate timeline where sensor data and resident reports prompted action.
MPs raised concerns about preventive measures and the broader impact on nearby areas like Hwa Chong Institution, with LTA affirming ongoing vigilance and responsive steps to address resident feedback and potential risks.

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15 Oct 2012

Singapore's Plan as an International Aviation Hub

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene raised concerns about the impact of the Qantas-Emirates alliance on Singapore's aviation hub status and how Singapore plans to respond to advances in long-range aircraft that could reduce transit needs.
Lui Tuck Yew noted that the Qantas-Emirates partnership affects a small portion of Changi's flights and passenger traffic, with other airlines expected to fill gaps, while Singapore will work to strengthen connectivity and service quality.
The government is committed to maintaining competitiveness through expanded air services agreements, collaboration with airlines, and long-term infrastructure projects like the new Terminal 5 to support Changi's growth as a global hub.

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15 Oct 2012

Completed Public and Private Housing Issued with Temporary Occupation Permits

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development for detailed statistics on completed public and private housing units issued with temporary occupation permits, unsold units, and projected private housing releases.
Khaw Boon Wan provided figures showing the number of public and private housing units completed in the last two years and projected completions, noting that unsold public housing is managed through ad-hoc sales exercises.
The Minister stated that about 39,600 unsold private housing units were in the pipeline as of Q2 2012, and details for the next year's Government Land Sales Programme were not finalized.

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15 Oct 2012

Dialogue with Residents over Preservation of Pasir Ris Greenbelt

Ms Faizah Jamal asked the Minister for National Development for an update on the dialogue between URA and residents regarding the preservation of the Pasir Ris greenbelt.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan stated that the land has been zoned for residential use since 1998, is currently a secondary forest with limited biodiversity, and that URA has development plans for the area while reviewing a petition from residents.
The Minister emphasized the need to balance conservation and development in land-scarce Singapore, noting that 10% of land is set aside for parks and nature reserves, but not every green area can be preserved.

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15 Oct 2012

Construction and Maintenance Costs for Gardens by the Bay

The final development cost for Gardens by the Bay is within the approved $1.035 billion budget, which excludes land costs but includes supporting infrastructure and was increased from the original $893 million due to construction cost rises and complex site conditions.
The annual operating cost is estimated at $53 million, with the government subsidizing half of the outdoor gardens' cost, while the rest will be funded through ticket sales, rentals, parking charges, and sponsorships.
While most of the Gardens is free to enter, the minister highlighted that a suite of ticket concessions for the Conservatories ensures affordability for all Singaporeans, noting that free access is a feature not commonly seen in other top gardens worldwide.

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15 Oct 2012

Building New HDB Flats Ahead of Demand

Gerald Giam proposed that HDB build flats ahead of demand to reduce waiting times for first-time buyers, noting the current Build-to-Order system waits for 70% booking before calling tenders.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that HDB has changed its approach since May last year and no longer waits for the 70% take-up rate to call construction tenders.
The new approach aims to start construction sooner using ready architectural drawings and tender documents.
This policy shift addresses concerns about young couples obtaining keys earlier than the previous system allowed.

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15 Oct 2012

Installation of Fire-rated Doors in Front of Bukit Batok Flats

David Ong questioned the rationale for installing fire-rated doors at the front of certain Bukit Batok HDB flats and asked for alternative solutions to support barrier-free access and ageing in place.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the fire-rated doors are required due to the specific design of lift upgrading bridges, which had high walls chosen for privacy but reduced ventilation and smoke dispersion, necessitating the doors for fire safety compliance.
The doors ensure a safe and smoke-free escape route by separating the lift lobby from the staircase, addressing fire safety requirements while acknowledging the design trade-offs.

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15 Oct 2012

Underground Piping of Natural Gas

Gan Thiam Poh asked if the government plans for island-wide underground natural gas piping as a green and cheaper energy source.
S Iswaran explained that natural gas is already widely used via two underground pipeline networks and a town gas network serving power companies, industries, and households.
The government is expanding the pipeline network to meet growing demand, with progressive expansion to the eastern part of Singapore.

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15 Oct 2012

Plans for Sungei Road Market

Ms Faizah Jamal asked about the government's plans for Sungei Road Market and support for vendors affected by the Jalan Besar MRT Station construction.
Vivian Balakrishnan stated the area is zoned for residential and commercial development after the MRT station completes in 2016, with vendors given advanced notice to cease operations.
Vendors may bid for hawker stalls elsewhere, while agencies will assist those leaving the trade with job opportunities and financial aid.

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15 Oct 2012

Update on Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network Rollout

The Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) rollout reached 95% coverage by mid-2012, with 22 retail service providers now offering competitive packages, including prices as low as $40 per month for 100 Mbps plans and benefits like no contract lock-ins and innovative services.
The remaining homes and businesses are expected to be covered within nine months, though delays have occurred due to arrangements with subcontractors, and the regulator (IDA) is pressing OpenNet to accelerate progress to meet its Universal Service Obligation from January 2013.
Consumer take-up has been strong, with over 220,000 households subscribed within two years, but enterprise adoption has been slower, and OpenNet has increased its weekly order capacity to address activation delays.
If OpenNet fails to meet the Universal Service Obligation deadline, IDA will assess the situation and determine appropriate responses, while continuing to engage all parties to ensure timely rollout to all areas.

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11 Sep 2012

Use of Land along Former Railway Route

The Ministry will integrate the Rail Corridor into Singapore’s broader green network, connecting it to park connectors and the Round Island Route to enhance recreational spaces.
Development along the corridor will balance future housing and industrial needs with the preservation of greenery and historical sites like the Bukit Timah station and Tanjong Pagar monument.
The corridor will be promoted as a heritage trail linking World War II sites, encouraging public exploration and appreciation of Singapore’s history.
Community involvement is encouraged through outreach activities under the Rail Corridor Partnership to shape its future use.

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11 Sep 2012

Public Transport Subsidy for Each Singaporean

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked about the amount of public transport subsidy each Singaporean has received over the past 10 years.
Minister Lui Tuck Yew explained that the Government subsidizes infrastructure costs, such as MRT tunnels and stations, and covers the first set of operating assets, with $17 billion invested from 2002 to 2011.
The Minister also noted that targeted financial aid of over $10 million was provided to low-income Singaporeans in the last five years to help with fare increases.

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11 Sep 2012

Measures to Minimise Construction Noise

HDB works with contractors to minimize noise and dust by using precast components, high hoarding, and on-site officers, while coordinating with agencies to plan infrastructure and amenities ahead of demand.
Residents in mature towns like Bukit Panjang expressed concerns about congestion from simultaneous BTO projects, prompting assurances that HDB acts as the coordinating agency to address bottlenecks.
MPs highlighted issues with inadequate road networks and bus services, leading to commitments for intensified inter-agency coordination and longer-term planning to reduce inconveniences.
There are calls for better public communication of development plans, with HDB noting ongoing briefings and considering more accessible information while maintaining flexibility.

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11 Sep 2012

Support for Frail Elderly and their Care-givers

Mr Ang Wei Neng and Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked for updates on measures for frail elderly and caregivers, including progress on building Integrated Day Facilities (IDFs) and support for sandwich-generation caregivers in their 50s-60s.
The Acting Minister announced initiatives like 40 IDFs by 2016 (with two new ones in Tampines and Toa Payoh by mid-2013), home-based care services, a Foreign Domestic Worker Grant, and expanded Seniors Activity Centres.
The Ministry will consider demographic needs, existing services, and community engagement in planning IDF locations, with details on remaining sites to be announced soon.
The Minister acknowledged the specific challenges faced by sandwich-generation caregivers and committed to exploring additional support schemes for them in the coming months.

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10 Sep 2012

ERP Gantries and Charges

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked for the number of vehicles passing through the CTE south of Braddell Road ERP gantry during morning peak hours in the last four quarters and how LTA computes vehicle speeds for ERP charges.
Lui Tuck Yew provided the average vehicle counts for the past four quarters and noted a 15% traffic increase since the CTE widening project ended in December 2011.
ERP charges are determined by traffic speeds measured via ITS devices like EMAS cameras over two-week quarterly reviews, using the 85th percentile speed to trigger rate changes for smooth travel.

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10 Sep 2012

Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) for Blocks with Single Lift

Zainal Sapari raised concerns about HDB’s Lift Upgrading Programme for blocks with only one lift, questioning the due diligence by BCA, risk assessments for high-floor emergency rescues, and BCA’s recommendations for unforeseen evacuation scenarios.
Khaw Boon Wan clarified that BCA approves lift shaft designs and installations to ensure structural safety, and the Fire Code requires at least one operational lift in high-rise buildings during upgrading.
For blocks with a single lift, HDB works with Town Councils and lift companies to monitor performance and ensure faster fault response, while emergency evacuations rely on staircases with SCDF assistance if lifts are unavailable.

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10 Sep 2012

More Primary Schools in Mature Estates

Lim Biow Chuan asked if the Ministry of Education will build more primary schools in mature estates like Mountbatten ahead of demand.
Heng Swee Keat explained that MOE regularly reviews supply and demand to ensure sufficient school places, but cannot build a school in every estate due to the need for a sufficient student catchment.
He noted that two primary schools already exist in Mountbatten, with others nearby, and that projected housing and population plans confirm no need for new schools in the area.
MOE therefore has no plans to construct additional primary schools in Mountbatten, as current and future demand is adequately met.

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