PUNGGOL NEW TOWN (Retention of characteristics of Punggol)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development whether and when Punggol New Town will be built; and whether it will retain some of the characteristics of Punggol.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the New Town is planned to be built about the year 2000. It will be planned to take advantage of its proximity to the sea for scenic and recreational purposes. Some private housing near the northern part of the New Town will also be retained to blend in with the public housing development. The reclaimed land near the water edge will be maintained as open spaces for recreation and a portion at the present location of Coney Island will be prepared as a beach for swimmers.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): In that case, Sir, can I ask of the Hon. Minister for National Development whether he will consider allowing the few facilities that are still there, for example, the seafood eating shops, that are not yet affected by such reclamation works to be allowed to remain until such time when reclamation works and other plans catch up.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, in general it is the policy not to move people out long before the land is required. But where it comes to reclamation, although on plan it may appear that the site is not affected by reclamation, it is difficult to do reclamation in the surrounding area without affecting the particular site. So I would say, in general, we will try our best not to move people out of sites which are not immediately required.