MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Ministry's major task is to minimise the adverse impact of rising costs and shortages of labour and construction materials. More foreign construction labour will be needed. The Ministry will encourage more mechanised building operations. The Ministry has also set up modern quarries to ensure an adequate future supply of sand and granite at fair prices.

Planning and Development Control

The Ministry will safeguard enough land for future needs in its long range plans. In controlling development, the Ministry will encourage well designed buildings which must have built-in energy conservation measures.

By 1990, all dilapidated structures and squatter colonies will be cleared for redevelopment. Further measures to require the proper maintenance of buildings will be introduced.

Urban Redevelopment

In the redevelopment of the Central Area, the Urban Redevelopment Authority will preserve sound buildings of historical or architectural merit. The URA will sell more land to meet demand to help stabilize property prices. Land will only be sold to tenderers with good building designs.

The Marina reclamation will be completed by 1985. Planning for its integrated develop- ment with the Central Area has begun. Construction of 2,000 hotel rooms in the Marina Centre will begin soon.

Housing

Having housed 69% of the population, the HDB will now concentrate on improving the quality of its flats and the environment of its estates. Flats of improved designs will be built. New housing estates will have a sense of individual identity. Amenities in older estates will be upgraded. It is the aim of the HDB to get families to own their flats.

In future, HUDC housing will be part of HDB estates to achieve a balanced mix of residents. The HUDC will accelerate its building programme.

With the release of CPF funds, the URA will sell more land for private housing.

Public Works

Construction of the Pan Island Expressway and East Coast Parkway is nearing completion. Work on the Sembawang, Central and Bukit Timah Expressways will begin shortly. All traffic lights in the Central Area will soon be computer controlled to improve traffic flow.

Other major projects include the Changi Airport development, the school building programme and Kent Ridge Hospital.

Primary Production

There will be less land and labour in future for farming. Farms will have to be more productive. The Ministry has set aside land for the development of large commercial farms. Small inefficient farms will be gradually phased out. Pig rearing will be phased out of all water catchments.

The Jurong Fishing Port and Fish Market will be expanded. A new fishing port in Kangkar will be built by 1983.

Parks and Recreation

More trees and shrubs will be planted to create a cool and pleasant environment. To inject colour into the cityscape, more varieties of flowering plants and shrubs will be introduced from abroad. Fruit trees will be planted in HDB estates. Particular fruit trees will saturate specific estates. Six new parks will be developed at Tanah Merah, Pasir Ris, West Coast reclaimed land, Sembawang, Marina Centre and Kent Ridge.

TEH CHEANG WAN Minister for National Development