POST OFFICE IN BEDOK NEW TOWN (NEIGHBOURHOOD I)

3. To ask the Minister for National Development and Communications if it is planned to set up a post office in Neighbourhood I of Bedok New Town and when it is expected to be ready

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Question No 3. Sir.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications (Mr Ong Teng Cheong) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no plan to set up a post office in Neighbourhood I of Bedok New Town. However, a post office will be established in the Bedok Town Centre which is adjacent to Neighbourhood I. This post office will serve the whole of Bedok New Town and will be ready in early 1978. In the meantime, there is a mobile post office providing temporary services from 9.00 am. to 12.30 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, at the car park at Bedok Plain in Neighbourhood I.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu): Mr Speaker, Sir, a supplementary question. Judging by the number of questions raised by a number of hon Members these two days, it would seem to me that there is no comprehensive planning of the provision of basic facilities and amenities in the new housing estates. Would the hon. Minister of State please inform the House as to what sort of coordination exists between the Housing and Development Board and all the other Ministries?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, in my reply to some of the observations made by hon. Members, in particular the arrangements between the Singapore Bus Service and the Housing and Development Board, I indicated that in the planning of new estates the HDB does consult the bus authority. But for more detailed planning, especially of providing bus services to the new estates, a lot depends on when the residents have moved into a particular area. As to exactly where the bus routes are going to be, it will depend on the actual situation of resident-occupancy when it is nearer the period of completion. I have also informed Members of this House that the HDB and the SBS have a planning committee which is looking into this.

As to the general planning of HDB estates. I can assure Members here that in the overall planning of a new estate. for example, the Bedok New Town. either Neighbourhood I or II. all the necessary main infrastructure is planned well in advance, For instance, the necessary requirements for sewerage, social amenities, public utilities and major roads, are all planned ahead of time. But the more detailed requirements within the Neighbourhood, such as in Bedok New Town Neighbourhood II. will have to be done nearer the period of completion.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: In this case. Mr Speaker, Sir, would not the Ministry of National Development look into the question of providing other social services, such as community centres, post office, and related services which cater to the needs of the residents more than just bus services only?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said that the provision of bus services will be included in the more detailed arrangements between the HDB and the SBS when the period of residential occupation is nearer to full completion. But I do assure Members that as far as overall planning of a particular estate is concerned; roads, post office. including a library, are standing instruction for HDB architects to incorporate them in all new estates.

With regard to the Member's suggestion for the provision of community centres, there is a thinking whether community centres should be incorporated as a standard requirement in all HOB estates. I think that is left to be discussed.