CHANGI (Reclamation)

7.43 p.m.

The Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion* standing in the name of the Minister for Law 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 sea-bed at Changi containing a total area of about 181 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/82" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Sir, you will recall that at its sitting on 29th July, 1975, this House approved the reclamation of approximately 607 hectares of the foreshore and seabed at Changi for the development of our former airport at Changi into a civil airport involving the construction of a second runway. The reclamation has been completed and our Changi Airport is now in operation.

On 20th February, 1981, this House also approved the reclamation of approximately 510 hectares of the shallower fore-shore and seabed on the southern portion of Pulau Tekong Besar for future industrial development. Pending such development, the reclaimed land, when completed, will be used as a training area by the Singapore Armed Forces. The Port of Singapore Authority, as agent of the Government, is overseeing this reclamation which is still in progress.

It is now proposed to reclaim about another 181 hectares of the foreshore at Changi, made up of two bays as shown coloured pink on the plan marked as "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/82", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members. The additional reclaimed land will be held in reserve to meet the long-term needs of Changi Airport. In the interim, both the north and south bays will be used as an extension to the recreational belt along the East Coast Parkway.

It is advantageous to carry out this reclamation now and take advantage of the existing reclamation project at Pulau Tekong Besar where dredging plant and equipment are already mobilized, so that the additional reclamation can be proceeded with, as an extension of the existing reclamation.

The Port of Singapore Authority, as agent of the Government, will oversee the reclamation, which is expected to be completed in about four years' time, at an estimated cost of $165 million, inclusive of cost of shore protection works.

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 sea-bed at Changi containing a total area of about 181 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO.1/82"which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.