Assessment of Restricted Beach Areas and Allowing Free Public Access to All Beaches

Dr Neo Kok Beng asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the beaches in Singapore, if any, that are not open for free public access; and (b) whether the Government will consider designating all beaches in Singapore, subject to security requirements, as public goods and making them available to the public.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Recreational beaches are open for free public access. Even when some limited areas within these beaches are tenanted to operators of dining amenities and entertainment facilities and access to those areas may be restricted, pedestrian connectivity by the general public is fully maintained along the beaches. Singaporeans, therefore, have access to a wide range of beaches across the island for recreation and leisure.

A small number of beaches are not recreational in nature. These are not open for public access in view of conservation and research value or security restrictions.