RECLAMATION AT ULU PANDAN

5.11 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 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 foreshore and sea-bed at Ulu Pandan containing a total area of approximately 41 acres as shown coloured purple and edged in broken red and blue lines on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 7/73" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.'

Sir, you will recall that at its sitting on 19th October, 1971, this House approved the reclamation of about 371.8 acres of the foreshore and seabed at Ulu Pandan shown coloured green and yellow on the plan marked as "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 7/73", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members. This reclamation, which has since been completed except for the portion shown coloured yellow and hatched red on the plan, was in line with the development layout plan approved by the Master Plan Committee for the integral development of the foreshores and adjoining land as an extension of the Jurong Industrial Estate.

The approved limit of the reclamation of the foreshore line east of Caltex's properties (shown coloured pink), comprising about 182 acres and shown coloured yellow and edged in blue broken lines on the plan, provides for the creation of a sizable basin of water. However, on further investigation, it has been found that this basin (shown coloured purple on the plan) is liable to siltation and is therefore unsuitable for shipping. On the advice and with the concurrence of the Port of Singapore Authority, it is therefore proposed to realign the original southern limit of the reclamation by filling up the basin and cutting off part of the projection as shown coloured yellow and hatched red on the plan, resulting in a new southern limit of the reclamation as shown edged in red broken lines.

The realignment of the reclamation limit necessitates the reclamation of about 41 acres of the foreshore shown coloured purple on the plan. The approval of the House is now sought for this reclamation which will be undertaken by the Jurong Town Corporation, as agent of the Government, at an estimated cost of $2.5 million. Earth from the nearby hills will be utilised as fill for this reclamation. On completion, the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and alienated to the Corporation on terms and conditions to be agreed with the Commissioner of Lands.

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 foreshore and seabed at Ulu Pandan containing a total area of approximately 41 acres as shown coloured purple and edged in broken red and blue lines on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 7/73" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.