RECLAMATION AT SENTOSA ISLAND

5.25 p.m.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, 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: -

(a) the dredging of the seabed off Sentosa Island for the creation of the Swimming Lagoon as shown coloured blue on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 14/73", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore;

(b) the reclamation of approximately 27.7 acres of the foreshore at Sentosa Island for the formation of the berms enclosing the Swimming Lagoon as shown coloured yellow on the said plan;

(c) the construction of five timber bridges linking the five openings on the berms of the Swimming Lagoon and the timber bridge linking Sentosa to the Golf Course Island as shown coloured blue on the said plan; and

(d) the reclamation of approximately 6.7 acres of the Kuching Creek estuary at Sentosa Island as shown coloured green on the said plan.'

Sir, with the zoning of Sentosa Island as a tourist resort area and consequent on the confirmation of the feasibility of developing the Island far such a resort, certain basic infrastructure projects were undertaken on the Island by the Jurong Town Corporation on behalf of the Government, before the establishment of the Sentosa Development Corporation. Two of these projects were -

(a) The Golf Course Island, shown coloured brown on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 14/73", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members. I have also a copy of the plan here.

Plan handed in to the Clerk.

Mr Barker: (b) The Swimming Lagoon, shown coloured blue and yellow on the same plan, which has been developed to provide a major tropical beach and waterfront recreational area for the use not only of tourists but also the residents of Singapore.

The Golf Course Island which was completed in March 1971 necessitated the reclamation of about 1.9 acres of the foreshore and approval for this reclamation was given under the proviso to section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Cap. 270). The development of the Swimming Lagoon which is expected to be completed at the end of this year involves the dredging and reclamation of about 27.7 acres off Sentosa Island and approval of the House for this reclamation is now being sought.

It is also proposed to reclaim Kuching Creek Estuary shown coloured green on the plan for the purpose of constructing a Ferry Terminal and Plaza Building. The Port of Singapore Authority will on behalf of the Corporation undertake the reclamation works which are expected to be completed in a year's time at an estimated cost of $900,000. Fill for this reclamation will be obtained from surplus material from the PSA's own dredging operations. The cost of constructing the Ferry Terminal and Plaza Building including the cost of ferry boats is estimated at $4.5 million. The building which will incorporate ticketing offices and Information Centre, medical facilities, locker rooms and display cases, shops, snack bar and a restaurant are expected to be completed in two years' time after the reclamation of Kuching Creek.

On completion, the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and alienated to the Sentosa Development 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:-

(a) the dredging of the seabed off Sentosa Island for the creation of the Swimming Lagoon as shown coloured blue on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 14/73", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore;

(b) the reclamation of approximately 27.7 acres of the foreshore at Sentosa Island for the formation of the berms enclosing the Swimming Lagoon as shown coloured yellow on the said plan;

(c) the construction of five timber bridges linking the five openings on the berms of the Swimming Lagoon and the timber bridge linking Sentosa to the Golf Course Island as shown coloured blue on the said plan; and

(d) the reclamation of approximately 6.7 acres of the Kuching Creek estuary at Sentosa Island as shown coloured green on the said plan.