MARINA SOUTH (Development plans)

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for National Development what are the short- and long-term proposals for the development of Marina South.

Dr Lee Boon Yang (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the long-term plan for Marina South envisages the expansion of the commercial core at Shenton Way and Raffles Place into Marina South to form an enlarged downtown area. The area north of the East Coast Parkway has therefore been earmarked for commercial use. The area south of the expressway will have a mix of commercial and residential uses. There will be a major park and a coastal promenade for leisure and recreational activities. An area near the major park has been earmarked as an institutional zone for civic and cultural developments.

Two MRT stations will serve Marina South in the area where commercial developments are planned.

In the interim, the area south of the expressway will be developed for leisure and recreational activities. URA has recently sold 11 parcels of land totalling 7.3 hectares for the development of recreational and food facilities. Adjacent to these parcels, the Parks and Recreation Department will develop a public park. These developments are targeted for completion by 1989.