RECLAMATION (PASIR PANJANG)

6.32 p.m.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion+ standing in the

• The motion, standing in the name of the Minister for Law and Home Affairs, and National Development, reads as follows:

That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore and sea-bed at Pasir Panjang containing an area of approximately 20 acres as shown edged in green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATIQN PLAN NO. 5/72" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. name of my Minister, as it appears on the Order Paper.

Sir, in July 1971 this House approved the reclamation of about 91 acres of the foreshore and sea-bed at Pasir Panjang, as shown edged red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/71", a copy of which was displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. This reclamation, undertaken by the Port of Singapore Authority as agent of the Government, is in progress.

It is now proposed to extend the reclamation by filling up the area shown edged green (about 20 acres in area) on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 5/72", a copy of which is now displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. The proposed development by the Housing and Development Board at Telok Blangah requires urgent earth works to be carried out within the next three months, and the surplus earth will be used as fill for the proposed reclamation. In fact, in order not to hold up earth works at Telok Blangah, approval, under the proviso to section 4 of the Foreshores Act, has been given to the Port of Singapore Authority to reclaim, in the first instance, the five acres shown edged red on the plan.

This reclamation, which will also be undertaken by the Port of Singapore Authority on behalf of the Government, is expected to cost approximately $2.5 million. On completion of the reclamation, the land will be utilised by the Urban Renewal Department for tourist projects and for the resettlement of the existing auction centres in urban areas.

The area to be reclaimed adjoins land on which are private residences. The Authority will be requested to take all the necessary precautions to ensure that the reclamation will not cause undue nuisance or inconvenience to the occupiers of these properties. However, about nine temporary structures on the foreshore, falling within the area to be reclaimed, will have to be demolished. These temporary structures are licensed by the Land Office and are occupied by about 23 families. Arrangements will be made to resettle these families.

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 that portion of the foreshore and sea-bed at Pasir Panjang containing an area of approximately 20 acres as shown edged in green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 5/72" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. Resolved,