RECLAMATION (JURONG ISLAND)

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

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Cap 113) approves the proposed reclamation by the Government of the foreshore and seabed (Stage 4A and 4B) south and west of Jurong Island Stage 3B containing an area of about 550 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked 'LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 4/99', which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Sir, Government in 1991 approved the concept plan for the amalgamation by reclamation of the 7 southern islands, namely Pulau Sakra, Pulau Pesek Kechil, Pulau Merlimau, Pulau Ayer Chawan, Pulau Ayer Merbau, Pulau Pesek and Pulau Seraya which are used by existing oil refining, petrochemical and chemical companies to form Jurong Island for industrial use. On completion of the amalgamation and reclamation of the foreshore and seabed around the 7 islands, Jurong Island would have a total area of 3,000 hectares. The whole amalgamation process of the Jurong Island was to be implemented under 4 separate reclamation stages. To date, the reclamation of Jurong Island has been substantially completed. The infrastructural development has commenced and is on schedule to meet the needs of investors. The last stage of reclamation under Stage 3B is in progress and is scheduled to complete by end 2001.

MTI, with the recommendation of Jurong Town Corporation (JTC), now proposes to reclaim approximately 550 hectares of the foreshore and seabed in Stage 4. This is shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN 4/99", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the reference of hon. Members.

The reclamation would yield land to overcome the current shortage and meet future needs at Jurong Island with the expected expansion of the petrochemical hub in the next 10 years. This would also enable the development of a Chemical Park and a Chemical Logistics Hub that would allow for more efficient management of hazardous materials.

The JTC will be appointed as agent of the Government to oversee the reclamation works. The reclamation works will commence in the 2nd Quarter of 2000 and will be completed by the end of 2003.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Cap 113) approves the proposed reclamation by the Government of the foreshore and seabed (Stage 4A and 4B) south and west of Jurong Island Stage 3B containing an area of about 550 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked 'LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 4/99', which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.