GOLDEN MILE SCHEME (Resettlement of squatters and relocation of industries, workshops and warehouses)

Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Law and National Development the numbers of squatters' families, marginal industries, workshops, trades and warehouses affected by the Golden Mile scheme and whether they have been rehoused or relocated in alternative sites.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, 409 squatter families, 74 small industries, 17 motor workshops, 26 shopkeepers and 81 small warehouses or stores have to be moved out to make way for the proposed Golden Mile project. 294 out of the 409 squatter families have been rehoused in the Housing and Development Board's flats at Bendemeer Road and Tanjong Rhu Estate, while the re- maining 115 families have elected to find their own accommodation. Of the 74 small industries, 10 furniture makers have accepted alternative accommodation in flatted factories at Bendemeer Road. 37 boat-builders and charcoal and firewood importers have been relocated in the Tanjong Rhu resettlement area. Four rattan processing and timber yard operators have been resited in the resettlement areas in Tampines or Lim Chu Kang, and 15 other small industries have found their own accommodation elsewhere. There are eight other small industries which are still on the site. However, four of these have already accepted alternative accommodation offered by the Board and they are expected to move to their new accommodation by the end of this month. Every effort is being made to find suitable sites for the remaining cases. All 70 motor workshops have found their own accommodation elsewhere. Of the 26 shopkeepers, six have accepted alternative shop accommodation in the Housing and Development Board's housing estates, and the remaining 20 shopkeepers have found their own accommodation. All the 81 small warehouses or stores have already been demolished as their operators have either cleared all their stores to their other warehouses or have found alternative accommodation.

It will be seen that nearly all resettlement cases affected by the Golden Mile development have been satisfactorily resolved.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): Sir, can the Minister say whether any compensation has been paid to all those affected by urban renewal and at what rates? Also what is the total sum paid out so far?

Mr Barker: Sir, the rate of compensation for a building is $2.50 per square foot if the owner can prove that the building was built pre-war or is covered by an approved plan from the Chief Building Surveyor. In all other cases, a building is compensated at $1 per square foot.

For resettlement cases, a disturbance allowance of $250 for both hut owner and sub-tenant and a transport allowance of $100 for the hut owner and $50 for the sub-tenant is paid. Up to the 15th of August last, compensation paid amounted to $156,815. That is the total amount, Sir.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: In the case of owners of warehouses, I am given to understand that most of them have found their own accommodation. But more often than not, the owners usually find difficulty in getting their applications for change of use of premises into warehouses approved. Or they have difficulty in applications to the Planning Department or the Chief Building Surveyor's Department when they want to -

Mr Speaker: Mr Ng, can you come to your question, please?

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: If they wish to build their warehouses on their own land, will the Government consider giving them assistance so as to expedite their applications?

Mr Barker: Sir, I confirm that most of the warehouses or the owners of warehouses have shifted to other places.

As far as zoning is concerned, the hon. Member for Mountbatten understands that land in Singapore is zoned according to what use can be made of it, such as agricultural land, land for warehouses or residential land. And if any of these Golden Mile squatters want to set up a warehouse in a residential area, naturally they would not be allowed. This will entail a change of zoning. But we always give consideration when these people are moved out, and if it can be done, for instance, on the outskirts of residential areas, my planners would recommend a change of zoning.

As for the Chief Building Surveyor's Department, even if one owns the land on which one wishes to build, certain building regulations have to be complied with. The Chief Building Surveyor is not going out of his way to make difficulties for these people, but there are building by-laws and regulations which must be complied with.