PULAU TEKONG BESAR (Reclamation)

5.53 p.m.

The Minister for Law and Science and Technology (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 the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshore and seabed at Pulau Tekong Besar containing a total area of approximately 510 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/81", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Our limited land resources make it imperative that we reclaim areas of foreshore and seabed wherever it is economical to do so. The Tekong Reclamation Project involves the reclamation of about 510 hectares of the shallower foreshore and seabed on the southern part of Pulau Tekong Besar as shown coloured pink on the plan marked as "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/81". A copy of this plan is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members. On completion of the reclamation, the reclaimed land will be held in reserve for future industrial use. In the meantime, the land will be used as a training area by the Singapore Armed Forces.

The Port of Singapore Authority, as agents of the Government, will undertake the reclamation works which are expected to be completed in about 3 1/2 years' time, at an estimated cost of $310 million. Fill for the reclamation will be imported mainly from Indonesia to supplement that which can be obtained from the Changi foreshore areas.

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 foreshore and seabed at Pulau Tekong Besar containing a total area of approximately 510 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO, 1/81". which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.