JALAN KAYU INDUSTRIAL PARKS (Free evening parking on weekends)

Mr Heng Chiang Meng asked the Minister for National Development if he will consider allowing free parking in industrial parks in Jalan Kayu Constituency after 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. on weekdays.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang)(for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I shall answer on behalf of my Minister.

Sir, industrial parks are mostly located beside housing estates. If free parking in such industrial parks is allowed after 5.00 pm or 6.00 pm, motorists from neighbouring housing estates will park their vehicles in the industrial parks to avoid paying for season tickets at their own residential car parks. This will lead to congestion, indiscriminate and unauthorized parking in the industrial parks. Industrial tenants who commence their businesses early in the morning will find the parking spaces in front of their premises blocked by vehicles. Hence, there is no intention to allow free parking in industrial parks in the Jalan Kayu Constituency after 5.00 pm or 6.00 pm on weekdays.

Mr Heng Chiang Meng (Jalan Kayu): May I ask the Minister whether he knows the location of Ang Mo Kio Industrial Parks 2 and 3 which are in my Constituency?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: I may not know the precise location but I know that they are within the general confines of Ang Mo Kio New Town.

Mr Heng Chiang Meng: If the Minister of State knows the precise locations, he will know that these industrial parks are situated far away from residential areas. And may I ask him whether in view of this he will reconsider his answer.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, we have this problem of free parking in industrial parks. The experience of many private housing estates situated adjacent to public housing estates or HDB estates is that people are prepared to walk a certain distance to take advantage of the free parking. Therefore, we envisage that problems which arise from providing free parking in the industrial parks will certainly arise in the industrial parks that the Member for Jalan Kayu has mentioned. From the location mentioned, I see that it is not far away from the residential blocks. It may take a 10-15 minutes' walk, but I believe there are people who are prepared to take that walk. And if we allow it, it will lead to more problems.

Mr Heng Chiang Meng: Sir, in view of the Minister of State's reply which covers the general situation in Singapore, may I ask why would not the HDB pass this function to the Town Councils, especially since Town Councils are in a better position to provide specific answers to specific needs in accordance with local conditions?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, the question of authority or functions of Town Council is actually being discussed and reviewed. We will consider them. It may be possible in the future to work out a scheme whereby Town Councils will actually run these car parks, not just manage it as they are doing at the present moment. Town Councils may be able to collect the revenues from the parking fees, but I would like to remind the Member for Jalan Kayu that before doing so the Town Council must first consider the actual cost of these car parks because the Town Councils themselves at the moment are not owners of these car parks.