PULAU UBIN (Recreational facilities)

Mr Cheo Chai Chen asked the Minister for National Development if there are any plans to develop recreational facilities in Pulau Ubin and, if so, whether he will provide details of these facilities.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Mr Speaker, Sir, besides the Outward Bound School (OBS) and the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) campsites on the western and northern part of Pulau Ubin, some 500 hectares of land (or about half of Pulau Ubin) have been earmarked for the development of Pulau Ubin for the recreation of Singaporeans in a rural and natural setting. A development concept plan has been drawn up and recreational facilities will be provided. The Parks and Recreation Department is improving the basic infrastructure at Pulau Ubin and the private sector will be invited to manage some of these recreational facilities.

The basic infrastructure improvements are targeted to be completed by early 1997. They include a better trail system for hiking and biking, a new public campsite with toilet facilities at the north-east coast of Pulau Ubin, and an information kiosk next to the public jetty.

Concurrently, the Parks and Recreation Department is also working with the URA to lease out two sites along the southern coast of Pulau Ubin for development. At one site, simple and basic accommodation will be provided, and at the other, an outdoor recreation centre with accommodation and water-based and land-based facilities such as canoeing, sailing and rock-climbing. Tenders for the two sites are scheduled to be called later this year.