WOODLANDS NEW TOWN (Facilities and amenities)

Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Law and National Development to give details of the proposed educational, social and other facilities and amenities that will be provided by the Housing and Development Board in the new Woodlands New Town now being built.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, under Stage I of the new town development, 15,000 flats for about 75,000 people will be built in Woodlands. A large commercial centre with shopping facilities, cinemas, cooked food centres and parking facilities for vehicles awaiting customs clearance will be developed near the Customs and Immigration check point at the Causeway. A post office, a maternity and child health centre, a creche, a Public Utilities Board collection centre, a commercial hall and an area office of the Housing and Development Board will also be provided.

Woodlands New Town, to be developed by the Housing and Development Board over a period of about 15 years, will eventually cover an area of about 2,500 acres. Most of the residents in the satellite town will be employed in the industrial and other economic activities within and around the township. Residential development will follow the neighbourhood principle, similar to that in Queenstown and Toa Payoh. A market and cooked-food centre will be provided in the shopping centre of each neighbourhood. Sites for schools will be set aside for primary, secondary and vocational education. A few community centres will be built in each neighbourhood, together with sports and recreational facilities.