MORE LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES (Development)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Chew Heng Ching asked the Minister for National Development if his Ministry will step up efforts to develop more leisure and recreational facilities, particularly in our offshore islands.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry recognises that, with rising affluence and higher aspirations, Singaporeans will demand more leisure facilities. For the long term, we have safeguarded sufficient land for recreational use for a population of up to 4 million.

In the immediate future, the Parks and Recreation Department will develop new parks and improve existing parks at an estimated cost of $156 million from 1989 to 1993. The parks will have diverse themes and new facilities. For example, adventure parks and nature parks will be developed. Some of the parks will contain facilities for skate-boarding, BMX (bike) trails and traditional games.

Waterfront land will also be better used for recreation, water sports and marinas. The Urban Redevelopment Authority is now studying how the Tanjong Rhu and the Changi Point areas can be developed for such purposes.

Apart from new developments, natural areas of high environmental quality have been safeguarded for the enjoyment of the public. For example, we will preserve the mangrove park in Pasir Ris and the bird sanctuary in Sungei Buloh.

The cluster of southern islands, namely, St John's, Lazarus and Kusu Islands are also suitable for recreational use. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board has engaged consultants to study how the recreational potential of these islands can be realised. Some of the preliminary ideas include the linking of these islands and the creation of areas for swimming, boating as well as facilities for marinas.

Mr Chew Heng Ching (Eunos GRC): Sir, would the Senior Minister of State give us an indication of the time-frame for the development of all these various facilities? Are we talking of one year, two years, three years or five years?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, the feasibility study is just being carried out . We will get a better idea of the time-frame of these developments after the study is available and we can have a chance to look at the recommendations. Some of the proposed land use on the offshore islands will entail additional reclamation and it could take quite a few years to do such a reclamation.