HEAD L - MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES

Head L – Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

The Chairman: Head L – Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. Mr Charles Chong.

Development and Environmental Sustainability

Mr Charles Chong (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Sir, I beg to move,

That the total sum to be allocated for Head L of the Estimates be reduced by $100.

Sir, the Government has previously made development and environmental sustainability a priority. Could the Minister comment if, in this economically uncertain times, sustainable development and environmental sustainability remain as relevant priorities.

Sir, I am concerned that during this downturn, business owners may be less inclined to devote resources towards developing and improving environmentally initiatives, but may, instead, decide to concentrate their efforts on the core of their businesses. In many cases, this may actually be the right approach to save their businesses and to preserve jobs, but the health of the environment should not depend on the recovery of the economy and it is something that we must look at in good times, as well as in bad.

Could the Minister tell us if his Ministry will consider extending financial support to businesses and, perhaps, even individuals to improve their resource

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sufficiency and to implement green initiatives, so that the environment is not placed on the back burner while the economy remains troubled? One potential area which the Government can help households and businesses be more environmentally-friendly is by further encouraging energy and water efficiency with more incentives for consumers. Apart from the benefits to the environment, generally, greater efficiency will also lead to cost savings for individuals and business owners. Could the Minister tell us what measures his Ministry has taken or will be taking in these areas?

Another area of concern I have is Singapore's air quality, in particular, our fine particulate matter or PM2.5 levels. A large percentage of PM2.5 emissions is contributed by vehicles that run on diesel. With the more stringent Euro IV emission standards, having been introduced for some time already, greater use of CNG by commercial and private vehicles would contribute towards reducing our air pollution. If more vehicles were to switch to CNG, it may even be able to bring down our PM2.5 levels below the level set by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

One reason why CNG is not widely used in Singapore is the difficulty vehicle owners have in filling up their CNG tanks. There are just too few CNG filling stations available in the country. This is especially so for private vehicles which do not have access to the Jurong Island filling station. Feedback from owners of CNG-equipped vehicles has also been that waiting times at stations can be quite considerable, especially if CNG terminals are not able to fill vehicles in quick succession – the same way as petrol-filling stations can.

While the NEA provides co-funding to the private sector to develop CNG

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distribution network through the innovation for environmental sustainability fund. I am concerned that leaving it purely to the private sector to construct the network may take a very long time to happen in the prevailing economic climate. Will the Government consider developing the infrastructure itself, and then handing it over to the private sector, as it did for the MRT system?

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With lower oil prices followed by lower pump prices for petrol and diesel, there may now be less incentives for vehicle owners to switch to hybrid and other more environmentally-friendly vehicles. Could the Minister consider reviewing the current incentives with the view of making them more attractive for vehicle owners to switch to green vehicles?

Sir, I note that the existing green vehicle rebate scheme will end this year. To encourage greater ownership of green vehicles, will the Minister consider extending the scheme for a much longer period to just, say, one year? On a separate but equally compelling note, with a significant proportion of our coastline area not very high above sea level, could the Minister tell us what measures have been implemented in our development plans to address our vulnerability to climate change, especially to rising sea levels? With new reclamation projects having to be built, at least 125 centimetres above the highest recorded tide level, this appears only to deal with our man-made coastline and not to our natural coastline, thereby leaving what nature has provided us to susceptible sea levels.

Finally, Sir, would the Minister be able to provide any update on the status of the Report on Climate Change commissioned by the NEA, which he previously mentioned that we can expect to see this

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year, and also an update on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development?

Environmental Problems and Challenges

Er Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio): Sir, I wish to raise my concerns for several environmental problems and challenges in Singapore. Despite efforts by the MOH and MEWR to control the spread of Chikungunya, the number of outbreaks of this disease has continued to be on the rise late into December last year. We need to do more to look into this disease to see how it can be eradicated. What new initiatives will be adopted to inhibit the spread of this disease? In view of the fact that Chikungunya infection has no cure and may limit its sufferers' ability to work, for up to many months, what can be done to curb the ensuing problems of the patients in our workforce? Several of my nursery operators in Bah Soon Pah Road told me that they were fined $2,000 the first time. Soon after that, they were fined $4,000 or $5,000 the second time. And soon after that, they were being hauled to Court and was fined between $12,000 and $13,000.

By any standard, the fine was huge. They cannot afford it especially during this economic downturn. I would like to ask the Minister: is the Ministry imposing such a huge fine to eradicate the mosquitoes or to eradicate the nursery operators? I believe that just as in the case of controlling dengue infection, controlling Chikungunya should be a joint effort between citizens and the Government. More resources should be invested in educating the public on the effective preventive methods and symptoms of Chikungunya. I am very sure my residents in Bah Soon Pah Road are keen to learn the effective way of eradicating mosquitoes and, hence, sharing of good practices with all nursery operators in Singapore and all households

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in Singapore could be more helpful and effective.

Next, littering in the neighbourhoods remains a persistent problem even after many years of public education. Our conservancy workers dispose large amounts of carelessly displayed litter daily, ranging from bulky furniture to half-empty drink cans. Publicity campaigns and flyers have proven to exhibit limited results. I believe that the root of the problem could be due to the lack of pride amongst Singaporeans and Singapore residents about their neighbourhood. Without a sense of belonging to the neighbourhood, residents would not have the urge to voluntarily protect it. Likewise, we get feedback about the littering habit of Singaporeans when they are abroad. What can be done to change this mindset and evoke a sense of social responsibility for the environment. Perhaps we need to approach the littering campaign from a different perspective.

With the economy looking bleak this year, energy efficiency is no longer just a solution to environmental problems. As income is tightened, it becomes all the more necessary to pay attention to efficient energy usage. Expenditure on energy usage can impact the competitiveness of a business. In last year's budget, a comprehensive plan had been drawn up for a multi-tiered approach to involve public sector, private sector and residents in embracing energy efficiency. Although this plan incurred some financial investment, we should continue to promote energy efficiency in Singapore. This way, we would not be penny wise and pound foolish. Given the benefits of energy efficient business practices, will the Ministry consider providing financial support for individuals and corporations not already benefiting from energy efficiency schemes? What are the Ministry's plans to push for more efficient energy usage amongst businesses and households?

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We have an ambitious target of hitting a 60% recycling rate by 2012. Our National Recycling Programme has helped boosted Singapore's recycling rate in recent years, but it may not be entirely efficient with regard to household waste. In today's Forum page in the Straits Times , there was an article titled "Recycling: All that effort gone to waste" by Reuel Royston Wee. Are our waste disposal contractors taking waste recycling seriously? Are our residents still putting the wrong items in neighbourhood recycling bins and giving up non-recyclable products for collections? I hope we have more residents like the foreign writer, Reuel Royston Wee. Can more be done to educate the public about recyclable materials? What are some initiatives the Ministry is embarking on to further improve our recycling rate? The demand for waste disposal is also expected to rise. How are we going to cope with this demand?

Prudent Use of Natural Resources

Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Marine Parade): Sir, with the economic recession, I would like to know how will the Ministry help households and businesses cut cost and ride out the crisis by becoming more resource efficient. What technologies and methodologies can we use for energy and water efficiency mentality in industries and households? And, ultimately, how do we employ them? How do we ensure that these technologies and methodologies are effective and efficient?

I understand that a multi-agency committee, namely, the Energy Efficiency Programme Office was established to drive energy efficiency improvement in Singapore. Can the Minister provide an update on the following matters?

Firstly, how successful has the programme been at reaching out to the

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public and businesses and promoting energy efficiency behaviour and practices? What big truths have we achieved in building Singapore's capability in energy-efficient technologies? Based on what we have achieved, how capable is Singapore to drive and sustain energy efficiency efforts and to develop the local knowledge base and expertise in energy management? How have businesses, industries and consumers and households in Singapore responded to the adoption of energy-efficient technologies?

I would like to applaud the Ministry's effort to instil energy and water conservancy mindset through the 10% Energy Challenge and 10% Water Challenge programmes. Can I have an update on the reduction in the energy and water usage as result of these programmes. What initiatives does the Ministry have in moving forward? How far are we from reaching our national targets of energy and water conservancy?

Finally, a typical household refrigeration and air-conditioning account for a significant portion of electricity consumption. A large percentage of my residents belong to the low-income group who are owning refrigerators and for some, possibly air-conditioners, with older technologies. These residents may not be able to afford to buy new appliances that have good energy utilisation rating like the energy labelling scheme. If they cannot afford new ones and are stuck with the old ones, how can they contribute towards energy efficiency? What programmes do we have in place to ensure that energy-efficient appliances are affordable by the general population?

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang): Sir, every dark cloud has a silver lining. Last year, the high prices of food, commodities and oil affected every sector of our economy and reduced our purchasing power. It has made many wake up to the fact that there is a limit to natural

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resources and we need to reduce and conserve natural resources. The economic tide has turned. Although we are in the midst of our worst recession, efforts to conserve and recycle should be given more priority and emphasis.

Are we doing enough for recycling? The hype on recycling that gained steady momentum over the past few years seems to have lost steam. We started with "Bring your own bags" once a month and now it is every Wednesday of the week. Can we further increase this to twice a week or three times a week?

We have successfully implemented one recycling bin to five blocks of HDB flats and recycling receptacles for all commercial and private properties. Can the Ministry update the House on the issues and feedback regarding the recycling bins and the actions taken? Can we start to think about implementing one recycling bin per block now? If so, I would like to volunteer Canberra division in Sembawang GRC to pilot this.

We have also door-to-door recycling bags collection fortnightly. What is the actual take-up rate from the door-to-door recycling bag collection? What is the Ministry doing to improve the participation rate? Can we improve the frequency to weekly? Can the Ministry also highlight some of the obstacles in moving forward to achieve a higher recycling rate for Singapore and how can we overcome those challenges?

Our drive for greater energy efficiency is the right step forward. The Government has introduced various initiatives to encourage households and companies to promote energy efficiency. Can the Ministry update us on the progress of these initiatives and share the plans on the promotion of energy efficiency in Singapore? Will legislation be used to enforce standards?

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We did well for the past few years in reducing our water consumption. Can the Ministry update us on the status of the 10-Litre Challenge and what other programmes will the Ministry be rolling out to ensure our taps will always flow? Is the Ministry looking at ways to reduce our carbon emissions although the Government has rejected previous suggestions for a climate change Bill? Can the Ministry update the House on our results so far on solar energy ultilisation? And will Singapore consider nuclear energy in the near future as an alternative source of carbon neutral energy?

Sustainable Development and Environment Sustainability

Er Edwin Khew Teck Fook: Sir, it is timely that the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) was formed in February 2008 to formulate a clear national framework and strategy for Singapore's continued sustainable development. It is also appropriate for the Finance Minister to announce a $1 billion budget to spend on sustainable development. Can the Minister elaborate on what programmes these funds will be spent on and when the IMCSD's masterplan would be released?

As illustrated by the general uptrend in resource prices such as energy and food, as well as on-going international negotiations on the post-Kyoto regime, issues like global resource scarcity and climate change are long-term challenges that all countries, including Singapore, will have to tackle. Sustainable development is undoubtedly important for the long term and should be a key priority for us. However, the immediate challenge we are faced with is the current economic downturn which will affect businesses, industries and households who are all looking towards the lowering of their costs. May I ask the Minister, under these circumstances, is sustainable development still a relevant priority in this

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economically uncertain times? Can businesses, industries and households benefit from adopting sustainable development practices?

In the Budget speech, the Minister for Finance mentioned that "there is also an economic imperative for sustainable development" as resource efficiency can reduce costs and boost resource security. Can MEWR elaborate on whether there are any economic opportunities that Singapore can tap on in the area of sustainable development, for instance, in the area of environmental sustainability solutions?

Finally, the target of 25% reduction in terms of carbon intensity has been achieved two to three years ago. Can the Minister state what new figures Singapore has achieved and whether there are any new targets for the next five years to ensure that we continue to strive for higher rates of energy efficiency and therefore a more sustainable Singapore?

Energy Efficiency

Mr Liang Eng Hwa: Sir, Singapore imports all its resource needs and energy is no exception. With the price of energy likely to remain volatile and growing concerns with the environmental sustainability, we should have a forward-looking energy efficiency strategy targeted not just at individuals and their lifestyles, but also industries and businesses.

I applaud the Government's efforts in the area of sustainable development in the last two years. During these difficult economic times, I can understand that the last thing on the mind of a company is long-term energy efficiency. However, it is important that we do not lose the momentum which has been built up in the last two years. May I ask if the Ministry has strategies and schemes in place to

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ensure the sustainability of the energy efficiency initiative?

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In addition, will the Minister share with us his views on and plans in the area of energy efficiency, as to how it intends to encourage and incentivise private sector involvement?

Carbon Footprint in Singapore

Mr Seah Kian Peng: Sir, I would like to focus my cut on air-conditioning. Last year, I pointed out a general need to be greener as a Government, and I made some suggestions. This year, I want to make one specific suggestion which can be very easily implemented. I would like to propose that we legislate the setting of air-conditioning in all public buildings at 24 degrees Celsius. I will explain why. This is because I want policymakers on energy to take the same approach as their counterparts in water – husband supply carefully, and control demand assidiously.

Sir, with the Marina Barrage, we have taken a big step forward towards greater self-sufficiency. But there is another project, which to me is more important but has gone relatively unnoticed. This is the Deep Tunnel Sewerage project. With this seven billion dollar project, we are able to reclaim much of our used water from 2008. We have in effect closed the water loop – to ensure that we recycle as much water as we possibly can.

In water, we control demand and we recycle the expand supply. For electricity, one quick way to control demand is to enforce the NEA recommendation of 24 degrees Celsius for air-conditioning setting. Many public buildings - shopping centres, offices and pubs - are set at artic temperatures. So are our offices. We should make it a law to turn all air-conditioning in public and commercial buildings to 24 degrees Celsius. There can be pro-

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visions in the law for exemptions for those buildings which needs to be colder. Yes, I know too that enforceability can be an issue. But for those of us who remember that section 377A debate will know that some laws are not made, or kept, to be strictly enforced. They are a symbol to show what Singapore stands for. Sir, more immediately, I would like to get the Minister's support of all Government buildings to set their temperature controls at 24 degrees Celsius or higher. I would like the Minister and other political leaders to set an example by not wearing jackets to meetings – including to Parliament.

Sir, air-conditioners generate hot air. Do you think that the NEA can think of ways to harness the heat energy from this air in some way? Maybe laundromats from the same building. Sir, these are small steps. We can and I think we ought to take them today.

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim): Thank you very much, Sir. Sir, first of all, I wish to thank Mr Charles Chong, our GPC Chairman, and other Members for their suggestions and questions.

Sir, sustainable development is important for Singapore's continued progress. Our economy, environment and society are inter-linked. If economic activities lead to more pollution and wasteful use of resources, it will impair our quality of life and threaten our long-term growth. If we make the wrong choices now future generations will likely contend with unhealthy air, water and land and struggle for depleting resources in a congested city with little or no greenery and water areas. We must continue to put sustainable development high on our agenda so that future generations enjoy the same, if not, a better quality of life than what we have today.

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Sustainable development will contribute towards a more dynamic economy and a clean environment. This is the vision set out by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development, or IMCSD, which the Minister for National Development and I co-chair. The Committee will release its report in March together with the details on how the $1 billion budget for sustainable development will be spent.

Sir, both Mr Charles Chong and Er Edwin Khew asked if sustainable development is still a relevant priority in these economically uncertain times. Given the global downturn the ability to grow the economy in a sustainable way has become more and not less relevant. Continuing to achieve good growth while maintaining a good environment will require, first, the prudent use of natural resources; second, building capability in the environmental sector; and, finally, protecting our environment to ensure that environmental standards do not slip and even improve.

The prudent use of natural resources is particularly pertinent during this period of economic uncertainty. By continuing to take a long-term view and sustaining investments and resource efficiency, our economy and companies can emerge from the economic crisis with leaner cost structures, higher productivity and greater competitiveness. Similarly, Sir, by becoming more efficient, households and families can save energy and water, cut cost and cope better during tough economic times.

Dr Faishal asked how the Ministry will help households and businesses to become more resource efficient while several Members asked about the Ministry's plans for energy efficiency. But, Sir, let me address Mr Charles Chong's question on our vulnerability to climate change before I elaborate on the

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initiative that my Ministry is embarking to promote resource efficiency.

Sir, in 2007, the NEA commissioned a two-year study to better understand the long-term effects on climate change such as sea level rise and temperature changes in Singapore. The study is expected to be completed in the middle of this year. Preliminary results indicate that our existing infrastructure is sufficient to address the risk in the short to medium term. For instance, the mean sea level rise for Singapore is expected to be between 23 cm and 69 cm by the end of this century and our current land reclamation levels which are set at 1.25 m above the highest tide level are sufficient to address this rise.

Notwithstanding this, Sir, we will continue to work closely with the relevant Government agencies to assess the need to implement additional adaptation measures in the longer term. We will also be embarking on the second phase of the study on Singapore's vulnerabilities to climate change to look at how climate change may affect both public health and bio-diversity.

Sir, energy efficiency is our key strategy to mitigate climate change. It is also a pragmatic approach to lower business cost and increase our competitiveness. The Energy Efficiency Programme Office (E2PO) led by the NEA was set up in 2007 to drive energy efficiency efforts across sectors. It has rolled out measures to increase awareness on energy efficiency, incentivise update of energy efficient technologies and develop capability in energy management. Discussions are on-going on suitable national targets for energy efficiency and these will be released later this year.

To increase public awareness on energy efficiency, NEA launched the 10%

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Energy Challenge in April 2008 to encourage households to reduce their energy consumption by 10%. Every household can save electricity with simple habits, like not leaving household appliances on standby, using a fan instead of an air-conditioner and using more efficient light bulbs. The 10% Energy Challenge Campaign uses a range of media platforms such as television, internet and events to inform households of such energy saving tips. Sir, the early results are promising. The average monthly household electricity consumption from May to August last year fell by almost 4% compared to the corresponding period in 2007.

Grassroots organisations and companies have also been encouraging households to conserve energy. For example, residents in the South East District took part in quizzes on energy conservation in exchange for energy saving light bulbs for needy households. Over 3,000 light bulbs sponsored by Philips Electronics will be given out to more than 600 needy households. Separately, Osram Singapore is partnering North West CDC and is donating 1,000 energy light bulbs to needy families in Marsiling.

And to enable our household to choose more energy efficient equipment, air-conditioners and refrigerators in stores, now Sir, carry the mandatory energy label. MEWR and NEA are also working with our retailers and supplies of home appliances to promote the sales of energy efficient appliances.

Sir, I announced last year that the Government will introduce the mandatory fuel economy labelling scheme (FELS) for passenger cars from April this year to help car buyers choose more fuel efficient vehicles. All car retailers will display the fuel economy labels or passenger car models at the showroom. We estimate that the car owners can save nearly $900

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in fuel cost each year by switching to a more fuel efficient car and practising good driving habits. We have been in close consultation with the industry to prepare them for FELS and of course will take into account their feedback in the implementation.

To help businesses keep costs down, NEA will extend the waiver on registration fees for air-conditioners and refrigerator models under the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) by an additional year, until 30th June next year. NEA will also waive the registration fees for clothes dryers under the MELS and for vehicles under FELS till 30th June of next year.

Sir, in the business sector, we see huge potential to save energy and reduce cost by investing in energy efficient technology. Some companies are already implementing energy efficiency measures and realising the savings. For example, United MicroElectronics Corporation is reaping energy savings of about one million kilowatt-hour or over $200,000 per month by improving the efficiency of its chiller system. To encourage wider adoption of energy efficient design, technologies and practices, we have put in place a number incentives.

First, we launch the Design for Efficiency scheme to co-fund workshops to design new energy intensive facilities to be as energy efficient as possible. And for existing industrial facilities, we launch the Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET) to co-fund up to 50% of the cost of energy efficient equipment or technology. Sir, the response by industries is encouraging and NEA is working with them on several energy efficient proposals.

To build capability in energy management, NEA launched the Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) training grant to co-fund the cost of attending SCEM courses. The SCEM programme

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equips facilities and building managers, engineers, technicians with the skills to manage energy services. Since the launch of the grant in September 2008, we have approved 82 applications and all the applicants have started their training.

Sir, the Government is also taking the lead on energy efficiency. We earlier announced that all Government buildings with more than 15,000 sq m of air-conditioned floor area will conduct energy audits by March 2010. Sir, we are on track to meet our goal. Twelve out of 48 Government buildings have completed their energy audits and are now implementing the recommendations, and this will achieve about $3 million in total annual savings. Another 10 buildings have completed their energy audits and are implementing the recommendations. An additional $2.5 million in total annual savings could be realised if all the identified measures are implemented. Sir, the remaining 26 buildings will complete their audits within the next year.

Sir, all large public buildings are also to ensure that the ambient indoor air temperature is maintained as high as comfort levels allow within the range of 22.5 to 25.5 degrees Celsius. Going forward, we will look into extending this requirement to cover all public sector premises.

Sir, I wish to thank Mr Seah Kian Peng for his suggestions on how we can be more energy efficient as a country. My Ministry will continue to look into how the Government can improve resource efficiency as well as how we can engage the private and people sectors on similar efforts.

Sir, there is more that Singapore can do to improve our energy efficiency. As we progress towards more prudent energy use with greater awareness, expertise and support by the Government, we also need to lock in the gains by introducing mandatory efficiency standards selectively

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to ensure a permanent improvement in energy efficiency.

In the household sector, the NEA will implement the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) for household air-conditioners and refrigerators by 2011 to remove the least efficient models from the market. The minimum standards will be set between the one-tick and two-tick range and will affect less than 20% of the existing appliances models. Consumers will continue to have a sufficient variety of appliance models to choose from while suppliers have a two-year lead time to clear their existing stocks and bring in the new models. Beyond 2011 we will look into the feasibility of introducing MEPS for lighting.

For the buildings and industry sectors, we are studying the feasibility of mandating good energy management practices such as regular monitoring and reporting of energy use and the appointment of trained energy managers for facilities with high energy consumption.

Sir, Singapore will continue to depend on fossil fuels in the near future. Improving energy efficiency is the most cost effective way of enhancing security while lowering energy bills and is a key thrust of our sustainable development strategy. The industry and community must therefore work in active partnership with Government to push aggressively on energy efficiency.

Sir, Dr Lim asked about the deployment of solar technologies. Solar energy is still more costly than conventional grid electricity generated from fossil fuels but prices are expected to come down as the technology matures. To build up our capabilities for future adoption when it is cost effective to do

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so, we will continue to research and test-bed such new technologies.

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Sir, the National Research Foundation (NRF) has set aside $170 million for research into clean energy. The Clean Energy Programme Office under the EDB also launched the $17 million Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme in 2007 to support the testbedding of clean energy applications in Government buildings and facilities, and a $20 million Solar Capability Scheme which was launched last year, to offset part of the capital cost for installing solar technologies in new buildings.

Sir, the IMCSD is also considering other solar test-bedding opportunities and further details will be released with the IMCSD report next month.

Sir, Dr Lim also asked about recycling. I will respond to his points later. Mr Charles Chong also raised several points. With his indulgence, I will address them later.

Sir, let me now move on to water. Like energy, water is a key resource in which we have to optimise. With the completion of the Marina Barrage last year, we now have the Marina Reservoir. Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs are on track to be completed later this year. Our largest NEWater plant at Changi is also on track to be completed in 2010. Through forward planning, we ensure sufficient supply to meet demand. We will continue to monitor the demand trends and review the need for new projects. Developing our resources in a timely way to meet demand helps to ensure an affordable water supply. We also strive to improve efficiency and leverage on technology to manage our costs amid other cost pressures, such as inflation and fuel cost.

Our Four National Taps strategy also provides us with useful options during dry

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weather. Some Members may be aware that this January was drier than usual, and traditionally February is a dry month too. While our reservoirs may not be as full as they usually are, I would like to reassure Singaporeans that we have adequate water to meet our needs. With our diversified water sources, we can supplement our supply with desalinated water. Since 2003, we have been introducing NEWater via indirect potable use into our reservoirs, and we can increase this if need be. NEWater and desalinated water are not affected by fluctuations in rainfall, and thus we are in a stronger position to meet any challenges from dry weather.

Though much has been done to improve the drought resilience of our water supply system, we are nonetheless dependent upon the rain for our supply, and the vagaries of the weather that seem to have hit many countries may not spare us either. New water sources are also costly to develop. It is therefore important for everyone to conserve water and use it efficiently. The current dry season is an opportune time to remind ourselves of the significance of this, and to play our part.

Sir, several Members have asked about the 10-Litre Challenge. The 10-Litre Challenge is a major initiative launched in 2006 to engage the public in water conservation and help households save on their water bills. The community has taken an active role. Seventy-four Water Volunteer Groups have been formed in 42 constituencies. And together with PUB, they visit households to educate them on water conservation practices and install water-saving devices, such as thimbles and cistern water-saving bags.

Through these outreach efforts, the domestic water consumption per person per day decreased from 157 litres in 2007 to 156 litres in 2008, and we are on track to meet the Singapore Green Plan target of 155 litres by 2012.

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I announced last year, Sir, that we will mandate water efficiency labelling of taps, dual-flush low capacity flushing cisterns (LCFCs) and urinals from 1st July 2009, so that consumers can make smart purchasing decisions and use water-saving devices to conserve water. Industry consultation started in late 2006 and we are in regular contact with them to ensure a smooth implementation.

Furthermore, from 1st July this year, taps, urinals and dual-flush LCFCs installed in all new developments and existing premises undergoing renovation must have at least a one-tick water efficiency rating. All new domestic premises and existing domestic premises undergoing renovation will also be required to use dual-flush LCFCs from July this year.

Last year, we launched a set of initiatives under the 10-Litre Challenge to promote water conservation in the non-domestic sector. The aim, Sir, is to encourage users to manage their water demand along the value chain, from sustainable and efficient design, to the use of water conservation devices and water demand management.

A one-stop website was set up, offering a tool for organisations to assess their water consumption, benchmark against similar organisations and identify areas for improvement. It also provides water efficiency tips, such as improving the design and operation of cooling units.

To build up industry capabilities in water management, a two-and-a-half-day course for building facilities and operations managers was developed by PUB and Singapore Polytechnic. To-date, 29 participants from hotels, building managing agents, and plumbing companies have been certified. An industry guide on Water Efficient Building Design has also been published.

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As the profile of water use varies across industry sectors, we are adopting a sector-specific approach to identify areas for improvement and share best practices. For a start, we have worked with the Singapore Hotel Association and the Ministry of Education to encourage hotels and schools to work towards being water efficient buildings, and reduce their water consumption by 10%.

Regent Singapore Hotel showed that water savings of up to 16% can be achieved by adopting a Reduce, Replace and Reuse approach in water management. The hotel installed water efficient taps, uses NEWater for cooling towers, irrigation and water features, and has a system to monitor for any abnormal increase in water consumption. For its efforts, the hotel was awarded Gold Plus under the BCA’s Green Mark Scheme and certified a Water Efficient Building by PUB.

Best practices and success stories, such as Regent Singapore Hotel have been shared at water conservation seminars. Following the engagement with schools and hotels, PUB will broaden its focus to include commercial and Government buildings, and Town Councils this year.

Sir, PUB is doing more to help users save water and cut costs. To help needy households reap savings, PUB will spend $600,000 to install water-saving devices in such households with above average water consumption. PUB is working with the People’s Association and the CDCs, and engaging volunteers to conduct house visits.

For non-domestic customers, PUB has increased the co-funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for water efficiency projects carried out under the

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Water Efficiency Fund, from 50% to 80% of the cost of qualifying projects. The aim is to help SMEs reduce their water costs in these lean times. And the PUB will work with SPRING Singapore to promote the use of the Fund to SMEs.

To help SMEs benefit from the lower price of NEWater, PUB will also provide assistance to defray part of the retrofitting costs involved in switching to NEWater. PUB will also work with SMEs to manage their water consumption and work towards reducing their water bills by providing free constant flow regulators and spray nozzles.

We previously announced that we would look into restructuring used water charges into a single volumetric fee. Sir, in the light of the economic downturn, we recognise that the changes could add to the sense of uncertainty for households, and therefore we will hold off the revisions for now.

Sir, I will take the other cuts of Members later.

Recycling

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, could the Minister provide us with an update of Singapore's recycling and waste minimisation efforts? Like several speakers who spoke before me, I too am interested to know if there has been any improvement in our overall recycling rate, and what measures have been taken by MEWR to improve the rate, especially in condominiums and private apartments.

Going forward, will the Minister consider providing financial incentives for companies, households and individuals for recycling initiatives?

And, finally, will there also be a development plan for our current landfill at Pulau Semakau?

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Waste Management and Recycling

Er Edwin Khew Teck Fook: Sir, before I speak on the subject, I would like to declare my interest as I manage a food waste and renewable energy company.

The recycling rate of waste in Singapore, in general, has been slowly increasing by 1% to 2% per year over the last four to five years. Based on the statistics given by NEA for 2007, four out of 12 or 33% of the categories of waste types have achieved or exceeded the Singapore Green Plan (SGP) 2012 target. Four have a fair chance of reaching the target by 2012, but four of the categories (ie, plastics, horticultural waste, glass and food waste) have no chance of reaching the target as the discrepancies between the current and the SGP 2012 target figures are greater than 15%.

With the current global economic situation, commodity prices for paper, steel, plastics and other recyclables have seen a sharp decline which will, no doubt, have a major effect on the recycling rate of all waste, making the four waste types, which have a fair chance (which includes paper, wood, cardboard, ferrous and non-ferrous metals) not achieve the 2012 targets. This, then results in eight, or 67%, of waste types not reaching the SGP 2012 targets. This, in turn, means that our incinerators will have to work harder and our landfill in Palau Semakau will have to receive more waste. This is obviously not desirable for Singapore's waste management strategy.

Sir, in my consultation with the Waste Management and Recycling Association (WMRAS) and a number of waste recyclers, I would like to feedback to the Minister, the suggestions that the industry have that will relieve the projected weak situation on recycling, so as to bring recycling back on track.

(1) Increase the gate or tipping fee into the incinerators, as it is currently too

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low compared to many of the developed countries. Having such low rates will not promote segregation and recycling. There is also little or no incentive for recyclers to invest in alternative waste recycling technologies (eg, innovative recycling and recovery technologies and hi-tech waste to energy plants).

Singapore's waste operators must move up the innovative and technology chain so that they can showcase these technologies in Singapore to their prospective customers in the East Asian market, ie, develop Singapore into a hub for waste technology and solutions.

(2) Mandate the segregation of waste at source for industrial, commercial and large institutions to support and complement point (1) above. Segregation at source also supports and encourages recycling, particularly food waste from recyclables as food waste contaminates recyclables, therefore rendering them non-recyclable. Since there is a back-end facility to treat food waste, the recovery of recyclables should increase.

(3) Provide grants, funds and incentives to support recycling and recyclers who are introducing innovative and technology to recover resources, particularly in the current economic crisis. The Government should invest during this downturn in this sector to exploit opportunities and to sustain and create new "green" jobs. As technology is applied, most of these "green" jobs will require technical skills which will be suitable for Singaporeans. Grants can be given to organisations prepared to upgrade and apply innovative solutions in their premises to segregate and facilitate the easy handling and disposal of their segregated waste. Similarly, incentives should be given to recyclers who are prepared to invest in segregated collections, and then applying innovation and technology to recover resources from the waste.

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I would like to seek the Minister's views on the above suggestions.

Enhancing Capacity and Boosting Long-term Competitiveness

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M): Sir, the magnitude of challenges in the area of water as a precious resource has increased. It is particularly more pronounced with climate change where even rain-abundant areas can face severe droughts, further exacerbating water shortage in the world.

Singapore, known for its innovation in the areas of water recycling, is well positioned to play a role as one of the leading players to share good practices and lead the way in developing new technology solutions in water technologies. In addition, there was a mention on the research programme, and the Minister explained the size and scope of our R&D on environment and water technology. Can I ask the Minister whether this will translate abundantly into jobs and careers for our citizens? Are there opportunities that mid-career professionals can take to reskill themselves during this recession?

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, as I mentioned earlier, sustainable development would require the prudent use of natural resources, and we agree with Dr Lim Wee Kiak that efforts to recycle should be emphasised in this downturn. Improving resource efficiency through recycling and minimising waste will, of course, save costs. It also reduces the demand for waste disposal infrastructure, freeing up land for other uses.

2.45 pm

Sir, NEA has spearheaded

many initiatives to promote recycling and waste

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minimisation. These include recycling programmes for sectors, such as households and industries, and public education on proper recycling habits. As Er Lee Bee Wah has noted, public education is important, and these efforts will continue. She referred to the article in the Straits Times today. I will address that later, in terms of what we do at the constituencies.

NEA also collaborated with the food and beverage sector on the voluntary Singapore Packaging Agreement to reduce packaging waste. Results are encouraging with a total of 850 tonnes of packaging waste avoided in the first year. On the "Bring Your Own Bag Day" initiative, which is introduced by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), we will let the participating retailers determine if the frequency needs to be increased, as suggested by Dr Lim. This is now led by SEC and they will work with the industry.

Mr Charles Chong also asked about recycling in our households. The NEA launched the National Recycling Programme (NRP) in 2001. Under the NRP, the public waste collectors (PWCs) serving HDB and private landed estates provide door-to-door collection of recyclables once a fortnight. The participation rate in the NRP increased from 15% in 2001 to 63% in 2008.

Since 2007, the PWCs have also provided 1,600 centralised recycling bins in the common areas of HDB estates. There is a set of bins for every five blocks of HDB flats and the majority of residents need not walk more than 150 metres from their blocks to use them. The response from our residents has been encouraging. The average amount of recyclables collected from each set of bins increased by 58% from 65 kg per month in 2007 to 103 kg per month for 2008. However, there is still room for improvement, and I encourage all residents to make full use of

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the recycling facilities, but in a responsible manner. The location at which the recycling facilities are located is a decision made by the Town Councils in consultation, sometimes, with the Residents' Committees.

On the case reported in the Straits Times today, we have asked the waste collector for that area to investigate. As the recycling bins are on rollers, they are, therefore, easily moved by anybody who may want to move it. So we will ask them to study how best we can avoid such a problem, as mentioned in today's papers.

Sir, Dr Lim also asked whether there are enough centralised recycling bins, and he offered Canberra as an example. NEA's data shows that the number is sufficient. But if Dr Lim wants to experiment, I am sure the NEA can work together with the PWC, and if they are prepared to do it, I will leave it to the PWC to work together with Dr Lim on this matter. But for locations where the bins are filled up more quickly, NEA has been working with the PWCs to increase the collection frequency from the usual once per week to twice per week. NEA will continue to monitor the usage of the recycling facilities and review their adequacy on an ongoing basis.

Last year, I announced that NEA will mandate the provision of recycling receptacles in condominium and private apartments by 2009. Implementation has been ongoing in phases to give the management councils and waste management companies sufficient time for compliance. NEA targets to achieve full implementation by the end of 2009. All households in Singapore will then have convenient access to recycling facilities. Both Er Lee Bee Wah and Er Edwin Khew spoke about our new measures to improve our recycling rate. Our recycling rate improved steadily from 40% in 2000

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to 56% in 2008, and we are on track to meet the Singapore Green Plan 2012 target of 60%. We also achieved high recycling rates for waste streams, such as used slag, construction debris and ferrous metals. While these results are encouraging, it will become increasingly challenging to sustain this progress, as the remaining waste that is disposed is not easy to segregate and recycle. We agree with Mr Khew that additional measures will be needed to further increase our overall recycling rate and the recycling rate of waste streams with lower recycling rates, such as food waste and plastic waste.

Sir, I am pleased to inform the House that NEA will be launching an $8 million 3R Fund over the next two years to co-fund new waste minimisation and recycling projects. So those ideas that Mr Khew has suggested, some of the companies can consider submitting a proposal. The Fund will co-fund up to 80% of the qualifying costs, subject to a cap of $1 million per project. NEA has received several preliminary proposals from its industry consultations, and these include the separate collection and recycling of food and garden waste, glass and batteries. More details on the Fund will be provided by NEA when it is launched within the next two months.

As part of the Government's efforts to help businesses tide over the current downturn, my Ministry will give a 15% monthly rental rebate from January to December this year to the recycling companies located at the Sarimbun Recycling Park. I think this will help them in these difficult times. We are aware that some developed countries have used legislation to mandate recycling. In view of the current economic downturn, we are not looking at introducing legislation in the near future, as it would likely increase costs for businesses and households. However, in the longer term, we will

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study the use of legislation to further improve our recycling rate. We will also review our gate fee regularly, taking into consideration the need to appropriately price our waste disposal operations and the cost impact on businesses and households.

Mr Charles Chong asked about Semakau landfill. It is located off mainland Singapore. Semakau landfill is clean and free from smell. In fact, it is open to the public for them to enjoy its rich biodiversity. That said, we hope to achieve even more with Semakau. We are developing a plan to turn it into an Eco Park, where companies can conduct field testing of renewable and clean technologies, such as wind and solar energy. More details will be announced when the concept plan has been finalised.

I have spoken about resource efficiency and how this supports sustainable development. Our second key thrust to ensure sustainable development is to build capability in the environment and water sector. This will not only generate new solutions for Singapore, but create economic opportunities that Mr Khew mentioned about. Environmental goods and services are expected to have a global market worth over US$500 billion each year. New materials, energy technologies, and applications to minimise waste and conserve resources will be important in future. By building up our capabilities in sustainable development, we can secure a long-term competitive advantage for Singapore in this sector.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli asked for an update on our efforts to build up Singapore's capabilities in environment and water technologies. I am pleased to share that we are making very good progress. In 2008, the Environment and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) injected another $21 million into the

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R&D ecosystem through the award of 14 R&D projects to companies and institutes of higher learning based in Singapore. This contributed to a high level of R&D activities, and attracted global ideas and talents into Singapore. To grow the local pool of talent in water technologies, EWI supports promising candidates to pursue Masters or PhDs through scholarships. In 2008, EWI widened its outreach to overseas-based applicants and this saw the award of eight PhD scholarships, up from two in 2007. The third round of PhD scholarship applications just closed in January, with more than 60 applications received.

The EWI regularly reviews our schemes to develop the water industry. In 2008, the TechPioneer scheme was enhanced by removing the need for grant repayment, to encourage more companies to adopt new technologies early. One project that has benefited from the enhancement is Keppel's membrane distillation project which is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of this year.

Singapore's vibrant water industry continues to attract reputable water R&D institutes and companies. For instance, Nitto Denko will be the first Japanese enterprise to set up a water R&D centre in Singapore. It will invest a modest sum, to begin with, of about $6 million to focus on R&D in membrane applications for desalination and water reuse. Another example is Marmon Water, a US-based company, which is investing $24 million to set up a water filter manufacturing facility in Singapore, employing 100 staff.

The EWI also made good progress in grooming local SMEs and encouraging them to develop capabilities and proprietary technologies that can be exported. For example, PUB is working with a local company, Optiqua, to test and validate sensor applications to detect organic and biological contaminants in water. More Singapore water companies

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have started to export their expertise and expand their overseas presence. In 2008, our water companies continued to internationalise, securing a total value of more than $1.3 billion of contracts. While most projects came from the key markets of China and the Middle East, Singapore companies are also enjoying some success in regions such as North Africa. For instance, Hyflux secured a $630 million Algerian desalination contract.

The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2008 held in June 2008 received strong global support with more than 8,500 participants from 79 countries. Business deals in excess of $367 million were inked. Extensive local and international media coverage profiled Singapore as a global water hub to the world. SIWW 2009 will ride on this success and aim for greater participation from China, Middle East, India and South East Asia, which are key markets for our water technologies. This year's event will focus on water infrastructure and technologies with the theme "Sustainable Cities – Infrastructure and Technologies for Water". To further bolster this theme, the 7th Ministers' Forum on Infrastructure Development in the Asia Pacific Region will be one of the key events to co-locate with this year's SIWW. Drawing from industry feedback, SIWW 2009 will feature a larger exhibition area, more networking opportunities, and environment technologies and companies.

Beyond the water sector, my Ministry, together with the EDB and IE Singapore, have been studying market drivers, technology trends and Singapore's competitive strengths and value propositions in the environment sector. Our study assessed that clean environment technologies will be an important growth area for Singapore's environment and water sector. My Ministry will, therefore, be working with our research institutions and industry to build up Singapore's research and development capability in clean

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environment technologies over the next few years. Possible focus areas being considered include waste management which has been assessed to have good market potential. This new effort will complement the existing Clean Water and Clean Energy programmes, and enhance Singapore's position as a hub for environmental solutions and technologies that Mr Khew spoke about.

Notwithstanding the economic downturn, MEWR will sustain efforts to develop Singapore's capabilities in environmental and water technologies. We are offering courses to build up specialised competencies in the environment and water sector. For example, NEA's Singapore Certified Energy Manager, or SCEM, programme, which I spoke of earlier, will provide the foundation for engineers to become professionals in the promotion of energy efficiency. In the water sector, PUB has worked with the Singapore Water Association to roll out competency programmes for membrane technologies employed in the production of water. These programmes will not only augment our pool of skilled manpower, but are also timely for mid-career professionals, such as engineers and plant managers, who want to re-skill themselves, particularly in this downturn. There are opportunities in the environment and water sector for mid-career professionals, both in the public and private sector.

Sir, I will again take some other cuts later on.

The Chairman: Order. We will take the break now.

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again at 3.20 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended

at 2.58 pm until 3.20 pm.

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Sitting resumed at 3 .20 pm

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]:

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]: **** Debate in Committee of Supply resumed.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

**** Head L (cont.) –

Protecting and Enhancing Our Environment

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: Sir, in a very densely populated island like Singapore, protection of the environment is critical. The effect of any pollution on the population is almost immediately felt as there is very little buffer space. This applies to air, water and noise pollution.

How are we doing for air pollution? What is our PM2.5 in year 2008? As PM2.5 is linked to respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis especially in the vulnerable young and old, it is critical that we hasten our efforts to improve our air quality to ensure that our air is safe for the population, especially for the vulnerable.

The main source of PM2.5 pollutants is motor vehicles. Like hon. Nominated Member of Parliament, Mr Edwin Khew, I would like to appeal to the Government to implement more measures to increase the proportion of green cars on our roads and encourage the use of cleaner fuels and engines. Suggestions, such as green car COE is one fast solution that will entice more drivers and the motor industry to embrace green cars, were made previously but were sort of put on hold. I hope the Government can further enhance the green car scheme and will consider further measures, such as green car COEs.

Let me shift our attention to larger particulate matters in the air. Two years

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ago, I requested MEWR to work with shipyard operators and factories near Sembawang town to reduce the black dust pollution problem to the nearby HDB households. I am pleased to inform the House that the problem has significantly reduced, but I would like to urge MEWR to continue the good work to ensure black dust pollution is kept to the lowest possible level.

I am glad that the Government is pump-priming the economy by bringing forward many infrastructural projects. Can the Minister update the House on whether projects under the ABC programme will be brought forward? If so, which projects? What is the current status of the programme? I hope the Minister can also include some waterways which were not included, such as Sungei Sembawang, in this programme.

With the completion of the Marina Barrage, what is the status of the water quality in the Kallang River and the new Marina Reservoir? What measures are taken to ensure that we will continue to have clean water, beautiful and active waterways?

Last, we all hope for a quiet and clean home to relax after work. Noise pollution from domestic, construction and traffic can impact one adversely. Can the Ministry update the House on the status of noise pollution in Singapore and the measures that are taken?

Air, water and noise pollutions are challenges that we have to tackle fast and head on if Singapore wants to continue to be the choice location for global talents and the best home for all Singaporeans. As the population strives to increase to 6.5 million in future, I am sure this pollution problem will be even a greater challenge if we cannot take this on now.

The Chairman: Mr Chiam is not here. Mr Charles Chong.

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Noise

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, construction activity is expected to rise in many areas in Singapore as we renew older estates and develop new ones under URA's Masterplan 2008. The number of vehicles on our roads has also increased steadily over the past few years. Both construction noise and vehicle noise are expected to rise with these developments. Could the Minister tell us what measures NEA has taken and will be taking to minimise noise levels in order to ensure a pleasant and relatively noise-free environment? And what standards have been set for noise levels near residential areas, especially at night and on Sundays and public holidays?

Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Sir, on 18th November last year, this House was informed that the number of construction sites increased from 5,023 in 2006 to 6,098 in 2007. That is an increase of about 20%. However, the number of complaints on construction noise received by the NEA increased from 6,160 in 2006 to 9,228. That is an increase of 50%. We live in a country where space comes at a premium. Having more apartments and houses mean that we are living closer and closer to each other. In a crowded and developed society like ours, it is impossible to guarantee complete peace and quiet for residents. There must be an element of give and take, of live and let live. But Singaporeans also deserve an opportunity to rest and spend quality family time without being constantly harassed by noise pollution. The rising number of complaints is evidence of an issue worth looking into.

The Environmental Protection and Management (Control of Noise at Construction Sites) Regulations have a detailed and complex list of noise levels allowed in different areas, times and

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duration. However, the current regulations are difficult to understand and are unrealistic. Let me give some examples. Part 1 of the Second Schedule says that the maximum permissible noise level between 7.00 pm and 7.00 am for construction sites affecting residential buildings located less than 150 metres from the site (reckoned as an equivalent continuous noise level over a period of 12 hours) is zero. But for periods of one hour, 55 decibels is allowed between the hours 10.00 pm and 7.00 am. From 7.00 am on Sunday mornings, which is the only time, I suspect, many of us are able to sleep, the contractors are allowed 75 decibels. How is the public to know when the contractor has breached the regulations? The problem is particularly difficult if the breach is a short intermittent one which disturbs sleep or rest but it is difficult to regulate a complaint against. It only takes a short burst of noise to disturb rest. Why do we allow contractors working on a site less than 150 metres from residential buildings to start work at 7.00 am on Sundays? I am not suggesting we have strict rules like they have in some countries where the noise regulations are so strict that, for apartments, they cannot even take a shower during certain hours at night. But I think the pendulum has swung too far in favour of contractors and developers. I, therefore, ask the Minister to review the rules on noise. Does the Minister not agree that Singaporeans should be given at least a day or some hours of a day or a weekend of peace and quiet? Can we not have stricter rules about noise at construction sites, particularly those near residential areas and particularly during the usual hours of sleep? Is it really going to create difficulties for our contractors or developers to start work, say, at 9.00 am on Sunday?

Tackling Noise Pollution

Mr Liang Eng Hwa: Sir, increasingly, Singaporeans value a quiet and conducive

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living environment in their homes and neighbourhoods. In my usual house visits to my residents at both the HDB and private estates, noise nuisance is one of the most common complaints I receive. Noise pollution is also a frequent grouse received by the workgroup on "Promoting Better Social Behaviour at Housing Estates" chaired by Senior Minister of State Grace Fu.

In addition to noise nuisance created by immediate neighbours, we receive frequent complaints about construction noise and vehicular noise. Singaporeans’ tolerance towards noise, especially around vicinity of their homes, has obviously decreased.

In the area of construction noise, can NEA step up enforcement and monitor construction sites more closely to ensure that the noise they generate stay below the limits implemented, especially during night time, weekends and public holidays?

Similarly, on vehicular noise, can NEA also work with LTA to review standards? I am sure Singaporeans living near roads, and a great number of us do, would appreciate the Ministry's effort and consequent improvements in this area.

While the noise nuisance at the public housing estates comes under the ambit of HDB, can NEA, as the leading agency for environment and noise pollution control, work with HDB and Town Councils to review the following:

(1) Lower the noise limits in neighbourhoods during night-time;

(2) Introduce a more effective enforcement regime; and

(3) Step up on public education to cultivate considerate neighbours and minimise noise nuisance.

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Sir, the Government has committed substantial funds to create and maintain a livable environment in Singapore – this is the hardware. The software – how we treat one another in this environment is just as, if not even more, important. Minimising noise pollution is an integral part of a good quality living environment and requires the cooperation of all stakeholders, legislation and consistent enforcement.

Dengue

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, there has been a surge in dengue cases in neighbouring countries. Singapore is usually not spared during the warmer months where we usually see an increase in the number of cases. Could the Minister tell us what measures have been taken to control the outbreaks of dengue and Chikungunya cases in Singapore?

Other than stricter enforcement action, have efforts also been made in research for a vaccine in cooperation with regional countries to study and control the spread of these diseases?

3.30 pm

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman): Sir, we have seen reports on the increase of incidences of dengue outbreaks in neighbouring countries, especially over the last few weeks. Singapore will continue to be susceptible to dengue transmission in the foreseeable future as we are situated in a dengue endemic region.

Sir, the local dengue incidence tends to follow the current natural cycle of five to seven years, and it was expected that we are likely to see a further increase in incidence of dengue after 2007. I would like to ask the Minister what was the dengue incidence in Singapore in 2008,

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and how does this compare with 2007. As mentioned earlier, we reported a rise in dengue cases in the region. What is MEWR's strategy to keep dengue under control in this and ensuing years?

Sir, everyone needs to play a part to be vigilant to minimise mosquito breeding at homes and in public places. We have seen the extensive public education campaigns by NEA and MEWR in this regard. I would like to ask the Minister what is MEWR's assessment of Singaporeans' level of awareness on dengue and their willingness to play an active role in dengue prevention. What more can be done to increase Singaporeans' sense of ownership and responsibility in reducing dengue transmission?

We also know that fines are imposed on those found to have mosquito breeding sites. I would like to ask the Minister how many people have been fined for mosquito breeding in their homes in the last five years, and whether these measures have been effective in reducing the number of breeding sites.

Dengue and Chikungunya

Mdm Ho Geok Choo: Sir, a report in the Straits Times mentioned a spike in the number of dengue cases in the first three weeks of this year. A total of 509 people were infected, compared with 341 during the same period last year. That is a 49% increase. It was also reported that the spike could be due to short-term fluctuations. I would like to check whether this increase is due to short-term fluctuations or any other reasons.

Malaysia has seen a recent upsurge in the number of cases. Malaysian news reports state that 4,221 dengue cases with 12 deaths were reported in the first 23 days of this year. This compares with

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2,103 cases with five deaths over the corresponding period in 2008. That is about double.

What is the Government doing to ensure that the higher incidence of dengue in Malaysia does not spill over here? Could we have fever sensors at the Malaysian immigration checkpoints, like we had during SARS? Can we also have an update on the dengue situation? And what is the Ministry's strategy to keep it low this year? Will the Ministry need to increase manpower given the need to fight dengue as well as Chikungunya?

Sir, ever since Chikungunya set foot on our shores, it has taken a liking to Singapore, multiplied locally and even applied for PR status! Given the fact that it is not foreign talent, we have tried to prevent it from taking up permanent lodgings. But has that been effective? Has Chikungunya become endemic in Singapore?

The Ministry of Health reported that for the first four weeks of this year, there were 160 cases, compared with 11 cases for the same period in 2008. That is a 16-fold increase. This is very bad. Surely there must be weak spots in our control regime. Can we have a progress report on its management, and are there any improvements that we can make? Other countries who are also dealing with this disease might provide us with some good vector control methods. Have we sought their expertise?

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Mr Chairman, Sir, I have spoken about resource efficiency and building capability in the environment sector. Now, allow me to move on to our third thrust, which is to ensure sustainable development in protecting and enhancing our environment in the areas of air and water quality, noise management, as well as public health and cleanliness.

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Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about our air quality and efforts to promote green vehicles. In 2008, Singapore continued to enjoy good air quality with the Pollutant Standards Index in the "good" range for 96% of the year. Our key pollutant levels, including those found in Sembawang, were within the standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Authority (USEPA) with the exception of very fine particulate matter or PM2.5.

Diesel vehicles are a significant source of PM2.5, accounting for about half of PM2.5 levels. My Ministry has adopted various measures to reduce PM2.5 from diesel vehicles. For example, we introduced the more stringent Euro IV standards for new diesel vehicles from October 2006. Euro IV-compliant diesel vehicles emit as much as 70% less PM2.5 than older Euro II vehicles. Our aim is to bring PM2.5 levels down to the USEPA standard of 15 microgram per cubic metre. We are making good progress towards this goal. Our annual mean PM2.5 level in 2008 was 16 microgram per cubic metre.

Sir, to reduce pollution from vehicles, we have also been promoting the use of environmentally friendly vehicles, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrid vehicles through the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) Scheme, which narrows the cost differential between green vehicles and conventional ones. Since its introduction in 2001, the GVR Scheme has been reviewed on a regular basis. In January 2006, the rebates were enhanced from 20% of the open market value of the vehicle to 40%. Since then, the number of green vehicles has increased from about 200 to more than 5,400 as at end 2008. As a proportion of the total car population, the number of green cars here is still low, at about 1%, but this is comparable to countries such as the UK and the USA.

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I am pleased to announce that the GVR scheme will be extended by another two years till 31st December 2011. The Government will continue to review the GVR scheme, taking into account changes in vehicle technology and more stringent emission standards for diesel vehicles.

Mr Charles Chong asked about our efforts to promote CNG vehicles, and Mr Edwin Khew also spoke about this during the Budget debate. The GVR has facilitated the initial adoption of CNG vehicles as a cleaner alternative to diesel vehicles. CNG vehicles have also enjoyed exemption from the special tax which is levied in lieu of a fuel tax. As MOF announced in the Budget this year, this exemption will be extended for another two years till December 2011. NEA has also supported private sector efforts to develop CNG refuelling infrastructure by providing co-funding for the start-up costs of three stations. There are now three CNG refuelling stations, and I understand that this is expected to increase to five by the end of this year with the opening of a station at Serangoon North and another at Toh Tuck. Now that the Government has facilitated the set up of the initial refuelling infrastructure, further expansion on a sustainable basis must take into account the private sector’s business considerations. At some point, we hope that the private sector can pick up from where we have stopped to work together with other private sector players to build up the infrastructure.

Sir, I will now ask my Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Amy Khor, to reply to the remaining cuts.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan): Sir, Mr Charles Chong, Mr Liang Eng Hwa, Mr Hri Kumar and Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about efforts to manage noise. All construction sites must abide by noise limits set by the NEA. These limits vary

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by time period and by the type of premise affected by the construction noise. For instance, night-time noise limits are more stringent than day-time noise limits, and noise limits are more stringent for construction sites near hospitals and schools.

The number of complaints on construction noise received by NEA increased from about 9,200 in 2007 to just over 14,100 in 2008. One of the reasons for this increase is the rise in construction activity in Singapore. Another reason could be the higher expectations from our public, as pointed out by Mr Liang.

To ensure that construction activities do not unduly affect quality of life, NEA tightened the noise limits for night-time and Sundays and public holidays from October 2007. NEA also increased the maximum fine for construction noise violations from $20,000 to $40,000. Furthermore, contractors that repeatedly violate the noise limits will have the operation hours at their sites restricted. In 2008, 10 work restriction orders were issued.

While we strive to improve our quality of life, we must allow construction to keep pace with our development. The current approach of setting noise limits to regulate the industry, instead of banning construction activities during certain times, allows the construction industry the flexibility to adopt solutions to minimise noise, and avoids imposing undue cost on the construction industry.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Mr Charles Chong also raised the issue of traffic noise. NEA, together with LTA, URA and HDB, has explored measures to minimise the impact of traffic noise on residents living along expressways and roads. Measures which have been implemented include noise-absorptive road paving

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materials, buffer distances, and even siting industrial buildings, multi-storey carparks or parks between major roads and residential buildings to act as noise shields.

In addition, new vehicles must meet noise standards before they can be registered, while in-use vehicles must comply with noise standards when they undergo their mandatory periodic inspections. Noise disturbances from motor vehicles arise mainly from the illegal modification of the exhaust systems. NEA will continue to work with LTA to take action against such vehicles.

Singapore is a highly urbanised compact city with vibrant economic activities, and noise pollution cannot be eradicated completely. However, my Ministry will continue to work with key stakeholders to regularly review the management of construction and traffic noise, taking into account public feedback and international best practice. We also note Mr Liang's suggestions on community noise and NEA will look into them with HDB and the Town Councils. While some degree of noise is inevitable in our compact city, we agree with Mr Liang that if each of us shows consideration for our neighbours, all of us will enjoy a more pleasant living environment.

Mr Charles Chong, Dr Mohamad Maliki and Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked about the dengue situation. In the absence of a vaccine, Singapore will continue to be susceptible to dengue transmission as we are located in a dengue endemic region.

Historically, Singapore experienced dengue in cycles of six to seven years, with cases increasing each year and peaking in the 6th or 7th year. We saw the beginning of a new cycle in 2007, and further increases in annual dengue incidence were anticipated for 2008 and beyond. I am pleased to inform the House

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that we bucked the trend last year. Instead of a rise, there was a 20% decline in dengue cases, from about 8,800 reported cases in 2007 to just over 7,000 in 2008. This would not have been possible without our collective efforts to prevent mosquito breeding. We must build on this and strengthen our efforts to control dengue. As Mr Heng Chee How mentioned during the Budget debate, dengue is still a threat and we must not let our guard down and continue to remain vigilant.

Singapore is a travel hub with as many as 10 million visitors a year, and with workers transiting in and out of Singapore daily, it is continually at risk of outbreaks from mosquito borne diseases contributed by imported cases, be it dengue or Chikungunya. Keeping our mosquito population low through effective source reduction will serve to minimise such risk. Thus, NEA will continue to sustain its integrated approach to dengue control, with pre-emptive source reduction as the key thrust, complemented by active virus and mosquito surveillance, public education, research and enforcement

We will continue to carry out intensive source reduction exercises to reduce the mosquito population ahead of the peak dengue transmission season from June to October. Source reduction has been assessed by the World Health Organisation as the most effective means of controlling the mosquito vector. But it is also labour-intensive. NEA has strengthened its vector control workforce since 2007, recruiting some additional 500 personnel. This has also strengthened our capacity to control the risks posed by Chikungunya, which I will elaborate on later.

Nonetheless, we must know where to focus our limited resources. Using a risk assessment approach, NEA has focused

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its manpower in areas that are highly susceptible to outbreaks, averting large dengue clusters.

NEA will also continue to build up vector control knowledge and capability through research at the Environmental Health Institute where new tools are developed and evaluated. For example, a test that can simultaneously detect the dengue and Chikungunya viruses is currently under development with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Sir, I agree with Er Lee Bee Wah and Dr Maliki that we must increase Singaporeans' sense of responsibility in reducing dengue and Chikungunya. Public education is a key element of our dengue prevention efforts. The results have been encouraging. An NEA survey showed that the awareness level for dengue prevention was high, more than 90%,

with many respondents adopting good habits, such as changing water in vases on alternate days. The number of cases of enforcement taken for Aedes mosquito breedings in homes increased from about 5,000 in 2005 to about 8,800 in 2008 due to more inspections, not because there are more dengue breeding places, say, 100 households that we inspect. More positively, the number of homes found with Aedes mosquito breedings per 100 homes inspected, decreased from 0.53 in 2005 to 0.34 in 2008. I am heartened by the good support we have received from the public, but we must aim to do even better. Keeping our premises mosquito-free should become a way of life for Singaporeans.

3.45 pm

I assure Er Lee that NEA is very clear that our target is to suppress the mosquito population. Hence, we will continue to work closely with premise owners like the nursery operators, and educate them on best practices. Having

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said that, enforcement action must be taken against those who persist in mosquito breeding so as to ensure that we do not miss our target.

Singapore also collaborates with other countries in the area of dengue control. For example, under the Asia-Pacific Dengue Partnership (APDP) we worked with the Western Pacific and South-East Asian Regional Offices of the World Health Organisation to formulate a Dengue Strategic Plan for both regions. The Plan was endorsed by the Health Ministers in September last year and serves as a roadmap for member states to formulate their national plans for dengue control. We will continue to work closely with the international community to promote greater knowledge sharing in the region.

In January last year, we detected the first local transmission of Chikungunya fever. A total of 718 cases were reported in 2008, about 75% locally acquired. Although Chikungunya is not considered endemic currently, we can expect sustained local transmission of Chikungunya this year. In January, 159 cases were notified, compared to 13 in the same period last year.

As with dengue, vector control is the key strategy to prevent the transmission of Chikungunya. NEA and MOH are working closely in the surveillance for Chikungunya. As soon as a case is notified, NEA initiates vector control operations to clear the implicated areas of mosquito breeding. MOH also made the disease legally notifiable last December. This will contribute to timelier reporting of cases, and allow NEA to undertake prompt vector control measures.

As Er Lee pointed out, Chikungunya can cause morbidity and strain our healthcare system. The only way to minimise the individual risk and disease burden is for each of us to prevent

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mosquito breeding as this is the most effective way to overcome the scourge of the disease.

Littering

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, littering complaints and the number of littering offenders have shown significant increases over the past few years. Our efforts to create a clean and green environment to beautify our estates and water bodies would be futile if we are unable to reverse this littering habit. Sir, we really cannot expect to have more and more cleaners to pick up and clean up after us. Could the Minister tell us what efforts have been made to improve and sustain cleanliness in public places, particularly in the areas of public education and enforcement actions, and whether these efforts have been effective?

Anti-littering Enforcement Efforts

Mr Ong Kian Min (Tampines): Sir, in spite of best efforts by NEA to keep Singapore free of litter, indiscriminate littering remains a day-to-day problem. Littering is a threat to public health and we cannot take lightly. Especially in our warm and humid climate, litter attracts rodents, flies and cockroaches. It can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, spreading harmful diseases. Taxpayers have to bear the cost of enforcement as well as that of clearing carelessly discarded litter.

The number of offenders caught littering has ballooned over the years from 3,819 in 2005 to more than 30,000 people caught for littering in 2008. The increase has been attributed mainly to the step up in enforcement efforts by NEA.

Sir, in December, a newsletter reported that since 2006, NEA has had dedicated 322 man hours per day to catching litterbugs with 500 officers

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empowered to take action against them, while another 50 officers to catch litterbugs as well as those who caught smoking in banned places. There is no doubt that the extra manpower has indeed proven effective in catching litterbugs, judging from the number of offenders caught littering and proactive work orders issued. Nevertheless, the sheer number of offenders show up clearly the fact that there are still many people out there who think nothing of littering.

Sir, it is impractical if we were to rely on public education and campaigns alone to tackle the problem of littering. As we have a large number of foreigners and visitors at any given time from different cultures and different strata of society who bring with them different standards and practices of cleanliness and environmental awareness, it is not always possible for everyone to appreciate the message of our Anti-Litter Campaigns, nor is it possible for law enforcement alone to fully eradicate the problem of littering.

Sir, I think, like it or not, to keep our city clean, we need to get out the tongs and brooms and clean up the litter left inconsiderately behind. I would suggest that operators of outdoor and open air eating establishments be tasked with the responsibility of clearing up any mass or litter that their patrons leave behind within a certain perimeter of their premises. They should be made to comply with the stipulated cleanliness standards by certain times of the day, for example, 2.30 pm, 11.00 pm and 7.00 am. This way, NEA would be able to substantially cut down on the number of enforcement efforts and officers who make the daily tedious time-consuming patrols.

From what I hear, NEA's enforcement officers have also been diligently catching smokers for littering their cigarette butts.

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It is quite easy to nab such an offender. You see a smoker in a public place and if there is no ash tray nearby, chances are that if he finishes his cigarette, he will simply throw his cigarette butt onto the floor and most probably even stub it out with the sole of his shoe. This is quite a common sight. However, it takes some time for an enforcement officer to observe the would-be offender and wait for him to finish his smoke. I question if all these hundreds of hours are well-spent. Is there some way that NEA can deploy its limited resources more efficiently?

Littering and Public Cleanliness

Er Edwin Khew Teck Fook: Sir, the standard of public cleanliness in Singapore is generally good. But I think the task of sustaining public cleanliness will become increasingly challenging as Singapore's population grows over the last eight years. For example, from 2000 to 2008, we saw an increase in total population from 4 million to 4.8 million and this will continue to grow to 6.5 million in the next 10 to 20 years, as projected by the MND. With more people living on our small island and an increase in foreign residents and new Singaporeans, who were not aware of our Anti-Litter Campaign some years ago, how is the Ministry addressing this challenge?

Next, littering still seems to be an issue in Singapore today. Results of the NEA's littering behaviour study showed that 13.6% of the respondents thought littering was a socially acceptable behaviour, while 8.6% said littering would not lead to hygiene problems. In addition, it was reported that since 2006, the number of litterbugs caught had gone up significantly, ie, in the first 11 months of 2008 alone, about 30,000 litterbugs have been caught. How does the Ministry ensure that the current enforcement regime and penalties are effective?

Finally, apart from having a good cleaning regime, sufficient infrastructure,

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such as bins as well as effective enforcement and penalties, keeping Singapore clean and sustainable requires all Singaporeans to adopt the right mindset and behaviour – how does the Ministry intend to strengthen public education and outreach efforts to instil a sense of pride and ownership for shared environment?

Mountains of Trash in Jurong

Mr Ang Mong Seng (Hong Kah): ( In Mandarin ): [For vernacular speech, please refer to Appendix A.] Sir, Singapore is one of the cleanest and most beautiful garden cities in the world. This honour does not come by accident. It is a result of many years of hardwork through various campaigns to keep Singapore clean and inculcating in our people public health education.

Credit must be given to the cooperation of all Singaporeans, and the strict enforcement by the Ministry of the Environment. But in order to maintain this reputation of a beautiful garden city, we need to work doubly hard so that we will not regress.

I discover that whenever we have large-scale activities such as the National Day Parade and New Year Festivals at the Orchard Road, there are always lots of rubbish left behind after the events. The cleaners have to work all through the night to clear the rubbish. If this bad habit of littering in public places is not changed, it would seriously affect the beautiful image of Singapore as a clean and green garden city.

One of my constituents complained to me that when he carelessly dropped a cigarette butt on the floor, he was fined. I told him that Singapore practices the rule of law and in order to maintain our clean and green environment, we have no choice but to eradicate littering in public

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places. He fully agreed with me and admitted that he was in the wrong. However, he also told me that near his place of work, which was just beside the Mobil Refinery, there was a huge heap of rubbish which was deposited there for such a long time that small plants were growing from there. The rubbish was very smelly and seriously polluted the air around the area. Moreover, the heap of rubbish was very near the refinery. Should there be a fire, the consequences will be very serious.

He asked me, "How could the environment officers be so sharp as to spot a tiny cigarette butt, yet so blind to this huge heap of rubbish?" Why did the environment officers not see and take action to deal with it? I would like to ask the Minister whether his officials are aware of this problem and what action are they going to take to solve it.

• Cols. 2491-2492.

Cleaner Garbage Trucks and Professional Garbage Collectors

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, I am going to speak on rubbish collectors. There are two issues here: one is hygiene and the other is image. As regards image, our rubbish collectors do not look professional. They wear singlets, no gloves, no caps and no proper shoes. It is a bad image for Singapore. With visitors coming from abroad, our rubbish collectors do not give a good impression. The other issue is hygiene. Sometimes, they do not wear gloves. They do their work with bare hands. I do not know whether they help out at the hawker centres. Should they be assistants at the hawker centres, they will be carrying the dirt and germs from the rubbish trucks to the place of work.

Sir, I wonder if the Ministry could improve on these two points. One is the image. Unlike other places where I have been to, like Los Angeles, the rubbish

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collectors wear proper caps, aprons, gloves and proper shoes, and they look very professional. I hope the Ministry can do something about improving the image.

Hawker Centres

Mdm Ho Geok Choo: According to the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, as of 2007, only 54.5% of eligible hawker centres have been upgraded under the Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme, launched in 2001. Does the Government have any enhancements to this programme?

With this economic downturn, a way to inject more money into this economy would be to bring forward hawker centre upgrading.

Sir, on hawker centre hygiene. What is the frequency of hygiene inspectors' site visits to hawker centres? Many hawkers still do not use gloves in food preparation. Giving hygiene marks are obviously not effective. I suggest that we make it compulsory for all hawkers to go through an annual refresher course in food handling and hygiene. For those who are unhygienic, we should impose even higher fines.

Sir, the overall cleanliness of hawker centres needs to be improved. Can the Ministry look into constructing more tray stations in the hawker centres and further promote the habit of tray clearing?

Can the Ministry also provide an update on efforts in maintaining overall hawker centre hygiene?

4.00 pm

Hawker centre toilets are now cleaner due to Government and NGO's efforts. Nonetheless, there are still some of the most poorly maintained public toilets

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around. Yes, users themselves need to improve their toilet habits but, surely, more frequent cleaning needs to be done. What is the Government doing in this area?

ABC Waters Programme

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Sir, I wish to have an update on the progress of the ABC Waters Programme. Having attained first-class living standards, MEWR highlighted that plans will be put in place to create new community spaces that are clean, pleasant and bustling with live activities. In this regard, efforts will be made to integrate the Republic's water bodies with the parks and green spaces, and turn Singapore into a "City of Gardens and Waters".

Beautifully acronymed, ABC Waters Programme, its objectives, in essence, are to make Singaporeans active, transform our water-ways beautifully and ensure that our water bodies are clean. At this juncture, we need to know if attempts to open our water resources, which we have protected in the past, will bring about challenges in the form of irresponsible pollution. The move to bring people closer to water, so that they will enjoy and cherish it, should be lauded. Thus, has MEWR plans to put in place on the preventive measures to be taken, in ensuring the purity of our rivers and canals that are in and close to the residential heartlands will not be compromised?

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Mr Chairman, several Members have raised a number of questions on public cleanliness.

Sir, maintaining high standards of public cleanliness is important, not only to protect public health. It is also integral to our efforts to ensure that Singapore develops sustainably and remains a clean and green city of gardens and water. Each of us must play our part. For

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instance, while the Government can invest in infrastructure to transform our waterways under the ABC Waters programme, which I will elaborate on later, residents must keep the waters clean.

NEA adopts a multi-pronged approach to sustaining public cleanliness, comprising an effective cleaning regime, public engagement, and penalties and enforcement to deter littering behaviour. As Mr Edwin Khew pointed out, the growing population will put more stress on our cleaning regime. In fact, NEA has already committed additional resources to clean up littering hotspot areas, such as Little India, Chinatown and Geylang. This cannot continue indefinitely. We must tackle the source of the problem, which is littering. NEA has stepped up enforcement against littering and the number of offenders caught increased from about 4,000 in 2005 to 33,000 in 2008. The increase clearly shows that littering remains a concern in Singapore, and we should work harder to tackle this problem. We are mindful of our enforcement limitations, as Mr Ong Kian Min pointed out, but NEA will continue to focus its enforcement efforts at littering hotspots to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Apart from sustained enforcement, our penalties must act as effective deterrents. The fines for littering offences were last revised 10 years ago. To ensure continued deterrence, NEA will raise the composition sum for first time minor littering offenders from $200 to $300 from April this year. NEA will continue to review the need to stiffen other punitive measures against littering. Having said that, every individual, however, must take ownership over public cleanliness, as Er Lee Bee Wah mentioned earlier.

Four decades have passed since the first "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign was launched by then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. To reinforce the importance of public cleanliness, NEA

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plans to launch a new national cleanliness campaign this year. This campaign will be driven by activities involving key stakeholders, such as the grassroots, schools, the youth and businesses. We hope that the campaign will also instil a greater sense of community ownership and pride over the cleanliness of our city, as we prepare to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010. Moving forward, we will also seek to deepen our understanding of littering behaviour, so that our programmes remain effective in tackling the littering problem.

Sir, Mdm Ho Geok Choo spoke about our hawker centres. In 2001, my Ministry launched the Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme (HUP) to improve the façade and interior of hawker centres, so that they will continue to provide a clean, hygienic and pleasant dining environment. To date, 71 centres have been upgraded. Eight centres are now undergoing upgrading and the remaining 32 centres are expected to be upgraded within the next few years, in consultation with the respective Advisers. In the meantime, periodic repair works will continue to be carried out at these centres, where necessary, to ensure their functionality.

NEA has a stringent regulatory regime to ensure good food hygiene practices. All hawkers and their assistants are educated on food hygiene knowledge before they can operate. Food stalls are routinely assessed on their cleanliness and food hygiene standards. Licensees are liable for demerit points if they flout food hygiene and other rules, and recalcitrant offenders have their licences suspended or even revoked. In addition, the poor performers will be inspected more frequently until they have made the grade. The proportion of stalls that achieved at least a "B" grading improved from 46% in 2002 to 86% last year.

Just as with other businesses, hawkers are facing a difficult time in this

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downturn. To ease the burden on hawkers, NEA will provide a monthly 15% rental rebate to market-rent paying stallholders in NEA-managed markets and food centres from January to December this year. Some 5,300 stallholders will qualify for the rebates, which will amount to about $5.6 million.

Sir, I will now invite my Senior Parliamentary Secretary to respond to the remaining cuts on cleanliness.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked about the cleanliness of toilets. NEA supports the "Happy Toilet" programme developed by the Restroom Association of Singapore to promote clean public toilets. Participating public toilets are graded, and those which satisfy minimum standards are awarded a 3-star grading or better, up to a maximum of five stars. To date, the toilets in 71 hawker centres have qualified for the 3-star grading or better. NEA will continue to work closely with the Town Councils to maintain the high standards of cleanliness in the public toilets in our hawker centres.

Sir, we would like to thank Mr Chiam See Tong for raising the issue on waste collection. Public waste collectors (PWCs) are licensed by NEA to ensure they have the proper vehicles, equipment and trained personnel to deliver quality and reliable refuse collection services. For instance, the drivers and workers are trained and certified under the National Skills Recognition Scheme. Refuse collection trucks are required to be washed daily to ensure the vehicles are clean and free from odour. NEA carries out regular checks on the PWCs to ensure that their vehicles and staff meet the service standards. When NEA comes across any lapses, warnings and financial penalties are imposed on the PWC. For instance, last year, there were five cases where PWCs were penalised for spilling

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refuse or sullage water. NEA also re-checks the errant PWCs to ensure the lapse in service standards has been rectified.

We note Mr Chiam's feedback and assure him that NEA will continue to be vigilant in its enforcement to minimise the incidence of, say, dirty garbage trucks and unprofessional garbage collectors. I wish to address Mr Ang Mong Seng's concern on what he has described as "mountains of trash" in Jurong. I suppose I am answering also because I am the Mayor for Southwest District. Our investigations show that these items are, in fact, not trash but woodchips and horticultural waste kept within the premises of a charcoal manufacturing company in Jurong to be used as raw materials. The company has not caused any pollution to the environment, although the large stockpiles are unsightly and may pose a fire hazard. JTC and SCDF have been alerted and will be approaching the company to address these concerns.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, Mr Masagos Zulkifli asked for an update on the ABC Waters Programme. This is a strategic, long-term initiative to transform the urban landscape of our city. As Minister Mentor noted during a recent visit to the Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network, the ABC Waters Programme maximises our limited land space to give the most to everybody who wants to get out of the urban jungle. We will do this by carrying out 27 projects across the island by 2012. These will transform our drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes integrated into our neighbourhoods. By creating new community focal points and recreational spaces, the quality of living for residents will be enhanced. This is our vision of a "City of Gardens and Water".

Two pilot projects have been launched. The first project at Kolam Ayer

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was launched last year with strong support from the community. In fact, many have organised activities such as morning exercises and gardening by the waterfront, which have also served as a backdrop for community events, such as the National Day Observance Ceremony and the Mid Autumn Festival celebrations.

At Bedok Reservoir, work was completed on several new facilities such as a seating gallery, fishing deck and a floating stage. Bedok Reservoir has been transformed into an attractive venue for events, including water performances as part of the Singapore Arts Festival. There are also bookings to hold weddings on the floating stage and, recently, we saw the five MPs of Aljunied GRC releasing some fishes into our reservoir.

Works are underway at other projects, such as Sungei Punggol, Lower Seletar Reservoir and Pandan Reservoir. Works will also commence at Alexandra Canal, Sungei Serangoon@Lorong Halus, Jurong Lake, Kallang River@Bishan Park and Sungei Whampoa@St George's Lane. Let me give a sneak preview of a few of them.

The concrete canal along Kallang River@Bishan Park will be transformed into a picturesque river. Attractions will be created by the water, such as a promenade with an amphitheatre and alfresco dining. Together with NParks' plans to revitalise Bishan Park, visitors will get to enjoy a whole new "green-blue" park experience.

At the Alexandra Canal project, a key feature is the urban wetlands, which will employ different wetland plants and their natural properties to clean the water. This provides an excellent opportunity for outdoor classes for the nearby schools and community learning. Support and buy-in from the community are key to the long-term success of the ABC Waters

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Programme. With experience gained from the pilot projects, we will continue to consult and engage grassroots, schools and residents and encourage them to organise and participate in activities in and around the projects.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked if projects under the ABC Waters Programme will be brought forward. Following a review, we have brought some of them forward by a few months. This is the best we can do, since the projects require detailed design and, more importantly, consultation with the community, which are important processes and should not be hastily done.

For now, we will also concentrate on implementing the initial batch of the 27 projects, before we move on to others. Under the long-term masterplan, over 100 potential sites, including some in Sungei Sembawang, have been identified, and we will take in ideas and requests in deciding the next batch of projects. So, Dr Lim, please queue up.

The ABC Waters projects have also offered rich opportunities for research and innovation. Features such as rain gardens, bio-retention swales and wetlands can be natural purification systems to improve water quality in our reservoirs and waterways. The PUB has embarked on a few pilot projects to test the feasibility and benefits of these features under local conditions. An experimental rain garden was developed with HDB at Balam Estate. This showed that up to 98% of suspended solids and 85% of nitrogen could be removed from stormwater runoff through natural vegetation and membrane treatment.

With the results from our pilot studies, we hope to encourage the adoption of such features on a larger scale. A few agencies have visited Balam Estate to learn about the design and benefits, and explore the introduction of similar features in their developments. To help them get

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started, PUB will develop a design guide on ABC Waters features and conduct technical talks to build up industry capabilities. Under a research partnership with PUB, NUS and Delft Hydraulics, an aquatic science centre is also being set up along Sungei Ulu Pandan. This living laboratory will allow hands-on and in-depth study into the interactions between biological organisms and water quality in urban water systems. In the longer term, there is potential to integrate the ABC Waters Design features into our urban stormwater management strategy.

Efforts to ensure clean and beautiful water bodies will also be directed at the new Marina Reservoir. As part of continuing efforts to augment Singapore's local water supply, the Marina Barrage was completed last year and officially opened by our Prime Minister in October. The Marina Reservoir that is formed behind the Barrage will allow us to collect rainwater from the largest catchment in Singapore.

The Barrage also serves as a lifestyle and recreational destination, and a centre to promote active citizenry to care for our environment and water resources. Since its opening, visitorship has been high, with nearly 200,000 visitors as at end January. Events held at the Barrage include the launch of Clean and Green Singapore, and the New Year’s countdown party.

4.15 pm

With the Barrage in place, the absence of tidal flushing will result in the accumulation of pollutants in the reservoir. While advances in membrane technology enable us to treat the water to drinking water standards, the bigger challenge is in keeping the Marina Reservoir clean, to maintain its aesthetic quality and suitability for water-based recreational activities.

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To ensure silt from construction sites does not enter our waters, we require all major construction sites in the catchment to install erosion control measures. A series of programmes to rehabilitate ageing sewers was undertaken to reduce the risk of sewage leaks or overflow. We also tackle littering and illegal discharges into our drains through regular surveillance and enforcement.

Notwithstanding these measures, water quality is expected to fluctuate more widely during the one to two-year transition before the reservoir turns into a fresh water body. Some silty water can still be expected after a heavy rainfall.

Sir, we have similar measures to improve water quality in our other catchments, including the new reservoirs at Punggol and Serangoon that are currently undergoing construction. There are a few sewage treatment plants in these areas and although they comply with strict discharge standards, we will phase out as many as possible to minimise the pollution risks. We will also rehabilitate ageing sewers in these areas.

As Mr Masagos pointed out, any litter thrown into our canals in areas as far upstream as Ang Mo Kio will end up in the Marina Reservoir. While we have measures such as covering drains in litter prone areas, using gratings to trap litter, and stepping up surveillance and enforcements on littering, the public needs to play its part in keeping our waters clean. The ABC Waters Programme challenges a mindset: to keep our waters clean, do we keep people away, or do we bring them nearer? We believe that by bringing water into people’s lives, by encouraging them to come closer to the waters and interact with it, they will develop ownership and help to keep it clean. Ultimately, the continued preservation of our water catchments depends on the efforts of all Singaporeans to keep our waterways free from pollution.

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Sir, we have a shared responsibility to ensure sustainable development. Companies can develop and deploy technologies and products that are more environmentally-friendly than today, and incorporate environmental considerations into their operations and procedures. Citizens must embrace a lifestyle that considers the environment and limits resource consumption in their daily lives. Government will promote sustainability by setting an example, demonstrating our commitment, and involving people.

Sustainable development is a long-term process with long-term objectives. It means focusing on the horizon, rather than quick fixes; targeting prevention now, rather than putting right later; caring for the environment as part of our choices today, rather than dealing with the consequences of neglect down the line. We have heard the story of the Singapore River and it took us 10 years to clean it up.

By considering the longer term implications of our decisions, Government, producers and consumers can achieve economic, social and environmental objectives all at the same time. Environmental improvements can reinforce long-term economic and social objectives, such as better health, more efficient use of energy and competitiveness, and vice versa.

By working together, our economy, our society and our environment can grow and develop in tandem. In this way, we can secure a better and brighter future for our children.

The Chairman: We still have time for clarifications. Dr Lim.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: Sir, can the Minister clarify the point about nuclear energy which I had asked about just now?

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sorry, I missed that point earlier, Dr Lim. As far as the Government is concerned, we have not ruled out any fuel option, nuclear or otherwise, in the long run. However, there are technical and economic considerations when dealing with nuclear energy. Even though nuclear energy is low carbon, we have to take a look at it very carefully, at issues of safety, siting and waste disposal, given Singapore's small size and high population density. So it is not off the table. It has to be studied very carefully because there are long-term implications. So we want to keep all options on the table at this point in time.

Mr Hri Kumar Nair: Sir, I would like to thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for updating us on the number of complaints in relation to noise pollution. The numbers are telling – 6,000 to 9,000 to 14,000 over the last three years. I understand there is a need for contractors to finish their work, but can there not be a compromise halfway? I have asked for just a few hours' ban on Sunday mornings on construction work. Is there any study or suggestion that such a ban will affect contractors in meeting their legal completion dates, or that they would suffer a significant loss?

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: Sir, I would just like to clarify that noise limits are set for night time and Sunday for construction sites that are near to hospitals, schools as well as residential buildings. As the Member rightly pointed out, within 150 metres from the construction site, there are noise limits for both intermittent and continuous noise, and it is the same level for night time. What the Member is asking is from 10.00 pm to 7.00 am. The noise limit is set for 10.00 pm to 7.00 am, which is night time. For Sundays, 10.00 pm to 7.00 am, sleeping time, it is actually set at a similar level, 55 dBA, and there is no difference. I think what he is asking is for longer hours on Sunday, say, from 7.00 am to 9.00 am.

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Mr Hri Kumar Nair: Sir, let me clarify. One of the examples I gave was that the contractor can start work at 7.00 am and he has a limit of up to 75 decibels on a Sunday morning. I used that as an example but, of course, any time before 7.00 am, say, midnight to 7.00 am. I had asked for just a few hours' ban on construction.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: First of all, it is not 75 decibels. I am not sure if the Member is aware that we have actually amended and tightened the noise limit set from 1st October, taking into account, of course, the increase in the number of complaints, particularly for night time and Sundays, as well as the rising expectations of Singaporeans for a better quality living environment. So we have tightened the noise limit set for these periods and also increased the penalties enforced.

As I have noted in my reply earlier, the approach we have taken is really to set the noise limits to regulate the industry instead of enforcing a total ban at certain times, be it night time or Sundays and public holidays. And we are not the only country that does this. In fact, Hong Kong, which is equally compact and urbanised, also uses the same approach. As I have explained in my reply earlier, this is because we want to ensure that our construction can keep pace with the needs of the economy, in terms of infrastructure development, and so on. And, of course, there is also an implication on cost.

We will continue to monitor the situation and continue to work with our stakeholders to review our management of construction noise, taking into account, of course, public feedback, as well as expectations and international best practice. So this is something that we are continuously monitoring. As I said, we have already tightened the noise limits since October 2007.

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Mr Seah Kian Peng: Sir, I suggested that Minister should direct all Government buildings to lead by example and adopt NEA's recommended temperature, ie, airconditioning be set at 24 degrees Celsius. I would like to ask the Minister what are the practical difficulties in implementing this. Does the Ministry have a list of the coldest and the warmest Government buildings? I believe that what gets measured gets done.

Finally, if the Minister is not able to convince his colleagues to lead by example and adopt these best practices in their respective buildings, I would like to ask Mr Speaker, Sir, that perhaps we can start first in this Chamber. When I last checked on Friday, the temperature setting was hovering around 23.5 degrees Celsius. So, inch it a little bit and we would be to where we should.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, as I have mentioned in my reply, the guidelines that we give to all Government buildings is 22.5 to 25.5 Celsius. So, rather than setting a number, we would rather give them a range and let them decide based on the level of comfort. I would not say that this is a requirement, but a very strong guideline that we work with Government buildings. So far, there has been no strong resistance in terms of compliance. But because of the range, some may go for the lower, some may go for the higher. So we want to leave it to the various occupants of the building to decide what is the appropriate level for their type of activities and the things that they do within those buildings.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa: Sir, still on noise. Unlike littering and smoking ban where there is quite a fair bit of public education and campaign, I think in the area of tackling noise pollution, it has been quite minimal. Perhaps the Ministry, in addition to tougher enforcement measures, should look into some public messaging and education urging everyone to be

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considerate, including the contracters as well, and spare a thought for the others.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: Sir, I thank the Member for his suggestion. In fact, we will be working with HDB and Town Councils on the issue.

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, I would like to thank the Minister and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for their detailed answers. I would also like to thank Members who have contributed to this debate. And I would like to assure Mr Seah that I will get rid of my jacket the moment the temperature in this Chamber reaches 24 degrees Celsius. Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $747,965,500 for Head L ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $634,558,000 for Head L ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

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