RECLAMATION (CHANGI EAST)

The Minister of State for Law (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Cap. 113) approves the reclamation by the Government of the foreshore and seabed at Changi East containing an area of about 630 ha as shown coloured pink on the plan marked `LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 2/98' which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Sir, at the sitting on 9th November 1990, Parliament approved the reclamation of approximately 1,545 ha of foreshore/seabed at Changi East for airport extension, naval base, recreational and industrial use. Those reclamation works are in progress.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of National Development have jointly proposed to reclaim an additional 630 ha of foreshore/seabed at Changi East. This is shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 2/98", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the reference of hon. Members.

Of the 630 ha, JTC requires 450 ha of land for industrial use, while CIDB needs 90.9 ha for their uses such as landing jetties, holding/storage space for construction materials, ready-mixed concrete batching plants and concrete pre-cast component yards. The balance area will be used for roads and planting strips by LTA and NParks respectively.

Sir, the proposed reclamation should be carried out to meet any projected shortfall of industrial land after the year 2000. Ministry of Trade and Industry projects that even with the reclamation at Tuas and Jurong Island for industrial use, the short and medium term industrial land supply will be insufficient. The additional reclamation at Changi East will enable the Government to increase the industrial land stock on the main island.

The Port of Singapore Authority will be appointed as agent of the Government to oversee the reclamation works. The proposed reclamation is estimated to cost about $896.7 million. It will commence in November 1998 and is expected to be completed in December 2003.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Cap. 113) approves the reclamation by the Government of the foreshore and seabed at Changi East containing an area of about 630 ha as shown coloured pink on the plan marked `LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 2/98' which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.