UPGRADING OF HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS IN MARINE PARADE GRC

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many blocks of Housing and Development Board flats in the Marine Parade GRC will be upgraded; (b) where are these blocks situated; (c) when will they be upgraded; and (d) how much will it cost each flat owner.

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: A total of nine blocks are currently being upgraded in Marine Parade GRC under the Demonstration Phase of the Upgrading Programme. The Ministry of National Development (MND) is in the process of identifying the second batch of precincts to be upgraded under the steady state phase. As MacPherson estate in Marine Parade GRC has some of the oldest flats in Singapore, it is very likely that these flats will be included under the second batch of steady state precincts for upgrading. The second batch of steady state precincts will be announced sometime early this year.

MND is currently reviewing the cost-sharing arrangements for the steady state phase of the Upgrading Programme in the light of experience from the Demonstration Phase. Every effort will be made to ensure that the flat owner's share of upgrading cost is kept at affordable levels.