RECLAMATION (PULAU BUKOM BESAR AND PULAU BUKOM KECHIL)

7.30 p.m.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears in item 14 on the Order Paper.

• The motion reads as follows:

`That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270). approves the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Bukom Besar containing a total area of approximately 184 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMAXTION PLAN NO. 4/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.'

Sir, the Shell Eastern Petroleum (Private) Limited has reached agreement with the Ministry of Finance on the expansion of its oil refineries in Pulau Bukom Besar and Pulau Bukom Kechil. The expansion project to be undertaken by the Company will involve a total investment of about $356 million and necessitates the reclamation of approximately 147 acres of the foreshores on both islands as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 4/71", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this Parliament for the information of Members.

The proposed reclamation, which will be undertaken by the Company as agent of the Government, will be carried out in stages as indicated on the plan. In addition to the expansion of the existing facilities and construction of storage tanks for crude oil, part of the area to be reclaimed will be used for housing a social centre and office facilities. The whole reclamation is expected to be completed by mid-1973. The surplus earth from the site preparation works on Pulau Bukom Besar and Pulau Bukom Kechil will constitute the main supply of fill for the proposed reclamation. Additional fill, if necessary, will be obtained from the mainland. The cost of the reclamation, which will be met out of the total investment of about $356 million, is estimated at $40,600 per acre.

On completion of the reclamation, the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and will be alienated to the Company on terms and conditions to be agreed with the Land Office.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Bukom Besar and Pulau Bukom Kechil containing a total area of approximately 147.85 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMAXTION PLAN NO. 4/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.