RECLAMATION AT PULAU SEMAKAU

5.54 p.m.

The Minister for Law and the Environment (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 i accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270) approves the reclaimation by Government of those protions of the swamp, foreshores and seabed around Puala Semakau, containing a total area of approximately 220 hectares as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 7/75" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.'

Sir, the Jurong Town Corporation proposes to develop Pulau Semakau into a petrol-chemical complex. The island consists of about 29 hectares (71.65 acres) of dry land as shown coloured yellow on the plan marked as "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 7/75", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members, and about 220 hectares (543.62 acres) of swamp, foreshore and seabed (up to the edge of the reef) as shown coloured green on the plan. For the purpose of the proposed development it is necessary to reclaim the swamp, foreshore and seabed.

The reclamation, which is expected to commence next year, is estimated to cost the Jurong Town Corporation about $150 million. Fill for the reclamation will be obtained by dredging the surrounding areas shown coloured blue on the plan.

On completion of the reclamation the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and together with the 29 hectares (71.65 acres) of the dry land (coloured yellow) will be alienated to the Jurong Town 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 the swamp, foreshore and seabed around Pulau Semakau, containing a total area of approximately 220 hectares as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 7/75" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.