SEASON PARKING CHARGES IN HDB ESTATES (Review)

Mr Leong Horn Kee asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will consider reducing the season parking charges in HDB estates for (i) the top level open car parks in multi-storey car parks and (ii) the surface car parks which are located further away from the main HDB estates.

Mr Leong Horn Kee (Thomson GRC): Sir, before I ask my question, may I declare that I am a member of the Housing and Development Board. I am asking this question in the general interest of the public. Question No. 1, Sir.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry and the Housing and Development Board are currently reviewing the season parking rates for surface and multi-storey car parks. The review will take into consideration the location and other factors affecting demand for car park lots.

Mr Leong Horn Kee: Sir, may I ask the Minister whether, in his review, he is also thinking about the possibility of increasing car park charges which most residents of HDB estates are very concerned about.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, we have not come to a decision on that matter. I have stated in the past that car park charges must go up over time. But this particular review is to take into account the location of particular car parks, whether it is in the central area or outside the central area, local demand factors, for example, if the demand is very high in a particular area, the rates obviously should be different from the areas where the demand is low and also the type of facility, whether it is an open surface car park or a covered multi-storey car park. So this particular review is meant to take into account specific locational factors. The present approach is to have more or less an uniform rate regardless of where the car park is.

Dr Wang Kai Yuen (Bukit Timah): Sir, would the Minister consider inviting the respective town councils to participate in this review?

Mr Dhanabalan: We will gather data from various sources, including the town councils. But I am not sure whether we can have a formal review involving all the town councils. I think that will take too long. But certainly the town councils will be consulted when we intend to make big changes.