ABC WATERS PROGRAMME

ABC WATERS PROGRAMME:

(Update): 8.

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) if he will give an update on the progress of the islandwide ABC Waters Programme; (b) whether the Ulu Pandan Canal and Park Connector, parallel to the Mount Sinai Estate, will be upgraded; and (c) what are the specific plans for the Ulu Pandan Canal and Ulu Pandan Park Connector.

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, the Active, Beautiful and Clean (ABC) Waters Programme seeks to transform our drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful, vibrant and flowing streams, rivers and lakes. In creating these new social and recreational focal points for the community to enjoy, we hope that they will develop a bond with water, and hence cherish and keep our water resources clean.

Under the initial phase from FY 2007 to FY 2011, 28 projects will be implemented progressively across the island. For each project, PUB will develop the details of the design and seek the inputs of the community before implementing it. Thus far, the PUB has completed three demonstration projects at Kolam Ayer, Bedok Reservoir as well as MacRitchie Reservoir which was recently launched in end July. I am heartened to note that the amenities and features are well-utilised by Singaporeans. For example, community events such as the National Day Observance Ceremony, Mid-Autumn and Chinese New Year festival celebrations have been held at these waterfronts.

Sir, construction works are ongoing for nine other projects and these include a floating island at Sungei Punggol, as well as a water performance stage and a heritage bridge at Lower Seletar Reservoir. Both projects are scheduled to be completed next year. Seven more tenders are scheduled to be called within this financial year, including Kallang River at Bishan Park, MacRitchie Reservoir Phase Two and the Geylang River Phase One. For the remaining projects, PUB and its consultants are in the process of planning and designing them.

Sir, the Member has asked if there were any plans to upgrade the Ulu Pandan Canal and Park Connector parallel to the Mount Sinai Estate. I am pleased to

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inform that the stretch of Sungei Ulu Pandan in the vicinity of Mount Sinai is one of the 28 projects that will be implemented. The proposed site is within walking distance to the estate, about 500 metres downstream of it.

A key feature of the project will be a constructed wetland that will provide a habitat for urban biodiversity and enhance the surrounding environment. There are also plans to integrate the canal and park connector with the nearby Centre for Aquatic Science Research that is being set up by PUB, NUS and Deltares. Together with the wetland, these will create new recreational and educational opportunities for the residents. They will be able to get closer to the water, enjoy it and learn more about it. Other details of the project are still being worked out. Later this year when the options are more developed, we look forward to consulting Mr De Souza and his community leaders in ensuring that the eventual design meets the community’s needs. Construction on the project is scheduled to start in the third quarter of next year.

Beyond engaging the community in the design stage, we also look to the community to take ownership of the project over time, eg, in organising activities at the project and helping to keep the waters clean. We look forward to the enthusiasm and strong support of each and everyone in Singapore to make the ABC Waters Programme a success.

* *Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply. I hope to be able to persuade the Minister that Ulu Pandan is a unique environment where a pilot project will do very well, and I say this for a reason.

Mr Speaker: Mr de Souza, are you asking a question or are you explaining?

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Mr Christopher de Souza: Sir, I would like consideration by the Minister through the avenue of a question I am about to ask. Would the Minister consider a pilot project, given that the park connector divides both private and public lands - HDB en-bloc site of 1,000 units and then through a private property on the other side? This will be a fantastic valley. So would the upgrading of the park connector be accelerated ahead of third quarter of 2010?

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, the park connector is under the responsibility of the NParks. But, normally, when we do an ABC project together with NParks, we want to coordinate in terms of the work so that it does not inconvenience the residents too much. So, in this particular case, if we have to do something in the canal together with the park connector, we might as well do it in one shot. And I suppose the Member has to wait until the third quarter of next year when we start work on the canal and, therefore, we will do something together with NParks on the park connector. But I will bear in mind Mr de Souza's consideration and ask our PUB engineers to look into this proposal.

Mr Speaker: Er Lee Bee Wah, last question.

Er Lee Bee Wah: Sir, I would like to ask the Minister to consider Sungei Seletar to be in the next phase of ABC project.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, we will consider.

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