WOODLANDS TOWN CENTRE

Mr Hawazi Daipi asked the Minister for National Development whether the Government will consider (i) giving retailers and hawkers at Woodlands Town Centre discounts on rentals in view of the substantial drop in business as a result of the prolonged Causeway jam and the stronger Singapore dollar; and (ii) allowing passenger vehicles to go into the Woodlands Town Centre car park from the exit way at Centre Road so that residents and shoppers can have better access to the shops and hawker centre.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: There are 183 shops, 5 eating houses and 77 occupied cooked food stalls in the old Woodlands Town Centre. The Town Centre serves the residents, workers in the neighbouring factories and other visitors.

The pricing and rental of HDB shops and stalls has to be determined by the general market conditions. It is not practical to consider each individual factor like the traffic congestion at the Causeway and give discounts.

With regard to the rent of shops, HDB has, on 14th November 1997, announced a package of measures to assist HDB shop tenants in managing their business costs. For tenants currently paying above today's market rents, HDB will adjust the rents downwards to the prevailing market rents as at 1st December 1997, subject to a maximum reduction of 10% of their existing rents. Also, for fixed-term tenancies that are at or going for their third renewal, HDB will moderate the rent further such that the annual increase, as well as the maximum rent at the third renewal, is reduced further. Eligible shop tenants in Woodlands Town Centre will therefore benefit from this package.

On the proposal to allow vehicles to enter the Woodlands Town Centre car park via the current exit at Woodlands Centre Road, HDB will work with LTA on its feasibility.