RECLAMATION (PASIR PANJANG)

3.13 p.m.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following motion standing in my name, namely,

That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore and seabed at Pasir Panjang containing an area of approximately 91 acres as shown edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Sir, as a result of rapid industrialisation and expansion of trade in recent years, the need for more warehousing facilities has become acute. The Port of Singapore Authority, which has been assigned the task of developing a new warehousing complex, proposes to develop the area along Pasir Panjang Road as shown edged in yellow, coloured purple and brown, and edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE REXCLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/71", a copy of which is displayed in the library of this House for the information of Members for this purpose. This area has been chosen because of its close proximity to the harbour, the railways, the Jurong Industrial Estate, the proposed container depot at Clementi Road, and other facilities relevant to warehousing. It comprises State lands (shown edged in yellow on the plan which will be alienated to the Authority), private lands (coloured purple on the plan which are being acquired for the Authority), the reclaimed land (coloured brown, about 4.5 acres in area), and foreshore and seabed (edged in red on the plan).

Sir, in order to enable the development to be carried out, it is necessary to reclaim the foreshore and seabed, as shown edged in red on the plan, the area to be reclaimed being approximately 91 acres in area.

The Port of Singapore Authority will reclaim the foreshore and seabed as agent of the Government. The cost is estimated at about $20 million. The fill will be taken from the surplus earth cut in the development of the hilly areas of Telok Blangah and its vicinity. The reclamation is expected to be completed in about two years.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore and seabed at Pasir Panjang containing an area of approximately 91 acres as shown edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.