PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES IN NEE SOON SOUTH

PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES IN NEE SOON SOUTH:

(Redevelopment and upgrading plans for parks): 8.

Er Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the plans for the redevelopment and upgrading of parks at private housing estates in Nee Soon South; (b) whether there are plans to replace the sand with synthetic rubber at these parks; and (c) whether there are plans to install exercise stations for the elderly.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, NParks undertakes upgrading or comprehensive redevelopment of parks within private estates if the facilities are beyond economical repair, or as part of the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP). NParks also routinely maintains parks for wear and tear.

When upgrading park facilities in private estates, NParks consults the Neighbourhood Committees to obtain feedback. Such consultations are helpful for assessing the demand for various amenities, such as exercise equipment for the elderly or synthetic rubber mats.

Of the 16 parks within the private housing estates in Nee Soon South, four have been provided with exercise equipment for the elderly and three have rubber mats in place. One of these is the Teacher's Estate Playground, which was recently upgraded as part of the EUP for Teacher's Estate. NParks also has plans

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to upgrade Thong Soon Green Playground and complete the works by the end of the year.

NParks will continue to monitor the conditions of the parks and playgrounds in all private estates, maintain them in good condition and upgrade those in relatively poorer condition.

Er Lee Bee Wah: My residents have been asking me this question in every of my house visit to private estates. And I have been liaising with NParks, and the standard answer given to me is that they are waiting for budget. So I would like to ask when is the budget available and when can my residents see physical works done on the ground for the remaining playgrounds.

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Sir, as in any upgrading programme, I think we acknowledge that one of the key issues is the availability of funds and resources. Secondly, it is really the allocation of these limited resources. We have to be cognisant of the fact that there are sizeable needs on the ground. I recognise the point that Er Lee has mentioned that the residents are asking for upgrading. But I think NParks, as part of its park redevelopment programme, will be progressively upgrading some of the neighbourhood parks across Singapore over the next five years. And she is right that we are putting up proposals for the funds to be allocated for such upgrading works. But I also need to mention the main criterion really for upgrading these parks is the condition of those parks. Priority will be given to those where there is more serious wear and tear. So, once the funds are made available, we will have to take a look at the parks that are needed for upgrading works and prioritise those that are needed most.