RECLAMATION (Pulau Semakau)

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 113), approves the reclamation by the Government of the foreshore and seabed east of Pulau Semakau containing an area of about 350 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/94" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Sir, at present, about 6,200 tonnes of refuse are generated daily in Singapore. The amount is expected to increase by 3.4% a year to 10,500 tonnes by the year 2010. Only 85% of the refuse can be incinerated. The non-incinerable refuse and the ash from the incineration plant are currently disposed of at the landfill at Lorong Halus. This landfill is expected to be used up by 1998. As there is no more suitable land for the development of landfill in Singapore, suitable landfill sites have to be found offshore.

An offshore landfill is required to be developed on a 347-hectare site in the seabed east of Pulau Semakau. It will have a holding capacity of 63.2 million cubic metres and is estimated to cost $1.36 billion to develop. Reclamation of land would be required for this landfill.

The offshore landfill would be developed in three phases. Phase One involves the construction of the entire perimeter bund around the 347-hectare landfill site, a refuse transfer station at Tuas and a refuse receiving station and other supporting facilities at the offshore landfill. Work on Phase One is scheduled to commence later this year.

The landfill is expected to be operational by 1999 and is estimated to last us up to the year 2045. The area to be reclaimed is shown coloured pink on the "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN No. 2/94", a copy of which is also displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members.

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 by the Government of the foreshore and seabed east of Pulau Semakau containing an area of about 350 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/94" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again at 3.15 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 2.49 pm until 3.15 pm Sitting resumed at 3.15 pm