HOT SPRING IN SEMBAWANG

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Chiam See Tong -

Mr Chiam See Tong: To ask the Minister for National Development whether he will consider converting Singapore's only hot spring at Sembawang into a tourist attraction and/or recreational centre.

Mr S. Chandra Das (Cheng San GRC): Question No. 2, Sir.

Mr S. Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the land on which the hot spring is located used to belong to Fraser & Neave. In 1985, it was acquired for MINDEF's use. However, MINDEF has agreed to allow F & N to continue to draw the water from the hot spring by piping it to their factory for bottling. The bottling plant is located on a site adjacent to the acquired land.

If, after finalizing its plans, MINDEF is able to release some of the acquired land, my Ministry will consider developing the released land for recreational use. The water from the hot spring can be piped to such a development without the spring itself being accessible to the public.