Rationale for 75% Support Level from Households in Neighbourhood Renewal

Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the rationale for requiring 75% support level from eligible households for the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) where residents do not need to co-pay; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider setting a timeline for the calling of a tender for NRP works when the NRP for the precinct is announced.

The Second Minister for National Development (Mr Desmond Lee) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) emphasises the active engagement of residents in shaping their living environment. The requirement to have at least 75% support from residents before NRP proceeds provides certainty that the proposed improvements meet the needs of the majority of residents. It also promotes a sense of ownership for the proposed improvements and enhances residents' sense of belonging to their neighbourhood.

The recommended timeline for calling of tender for NRP works is within 12 months from announcement. This has been communicated to all Town Councils which carry out NRP.

In practice, however, the time taken varies from one project to another, and may not fall within the recommended timeline. Factors that could affect the calling of tender include the size and complexity of the project, consultation processes adopted by Town Councils, and extent of feedback and suggestions received from residents. As far as possible, Town Councils should expedite the NRP process where possible.

Mr Png Eng Huat (Hougang): Just one supplementary question. Would the Minister consider reviewing the 75% support level? Because the awareness of the NRP is already achieved through 100% direct mailing to the houses. We also have two exhibitions − the PC and CG. We also have house visits. Furthermore, the NRP plan would have undergone multiple reviews even by the HDB and then also taken into consideration the wish list from the Town Councils, the residents, the Members of Parliament, the RCs. So, that plan itself is almost like optimised for that precinct. So, would the Ministry consider reviewing that 75% requirement, even 50%? Because when we do house visits, a lot of residents asked us why do they still need to vote when they do not need to pay for this external thing. They also said that they were also not consulted, for example, they do not need to vote whether they want the silver zone or —

Mr Speaker: Can we keep this succinct, please?

Mr Png Eng Huat: So, could the Minister review that?

Mr Desmond Lee: Mr Speaker, I thank the Member for his suggestion. As I said earlier, the requirement to achieve at least 75% support from residents for NRP is to ensure that residents, or the majority of the residents, indeed support the proposal. Getting the residents aware of the project through direct mailers, through exhibitions, through community consultation is, but one important part of that process. Getting feedback and ultimately persuading residents that this plan benefits them is best evidenced through residents' support for the proposal. If you reduce or do away with the poll requirement, then the question is how certain are we all that these facilities indeed, are welcomed, or are needed by the residents. Even though the residents do not have to pay for these improvements, they relate to that immediate live environment and I think they ought to have a say.