RECLAMATION (SENTOSA)

The Second Minister for Law (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Deputy 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 113), approves the reclamation of the foreshore/seabed at the southwestern coast of Sentosa containing a total area of about 22 hectares as shown coloured yellow and the dredging of about 680,000 cubic metres of the seabed as shown coloured blue on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/88" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

In 1973, Sir, the south-western foreshore and seabed of Sentosa was reclaimed and developed by the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) into beaches and a swimming lagoon. However, over the years, some of these beaches have become very narrow at high tide due to coastal erosion. At low tide, the seabed is dotted with multitudinous coral and rock outcrops which make the beaches unattractive and hazardous for swimming.

As part of a project to improve its tourism infrastructure, SDC proposes to improve the beaches and lagoon area at Sentosa by reclaiming approximately 22 hectares of the foreshore and seabed shown coloured yellow and by dredging the shallow seabed areas shown coloured blue on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/88", copy of which is displayed in the Library of the House for the information of hon. Members.

SDC, as agent of the Government, will undertake the reclamation and dredging works which are expected to be completed by November 1989 at an estimated cost of $16 million. Fill for the reclamation will be obtained from the dredging of the seabed areas shown coloured blue on the plan. The dredging of the seabed areas will provide about 680,000 cubic metres of fill material and will also improve the existing lagoon and create two new better and deeper lagoons. Imported sand from Indonesia and/or Malaysia will be used for beach formation.

On completion of the reclamation, the reclaimed land will be developed into a picnic area, a hotel and an exclusive beach club which will make this part of Sentosa a beach hub of activities.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 113), approves the reclamation of the foreshore/seabed at the southwestern coast of Sentosa containing a total area of about 22 hectares as shown coloured yellow and the dredging of about 680,000 cubic metres of the seabed as shown coloured blue on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/88" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.