NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang asked the Minister for National Development what is the average outpatient clinic to dwelling unit ratio in a Housing and Development Board estate and why for a new town such as Sengkang, with more than 20,000 dwelling units completed to date, has only four outpatient clinics.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: It is part of HDB's plan to provide sufficient amenities and commercial facilities in the development of any town. While HDB does not have an average outpatient clinic to dwelling unit ratio in the planning of new town, it will ensure that there is a range of facilities such as clinics, eating houses, markets, schools, etc. in every town to meet the needs of the residents.

For Sengkang Town, there will be 3 commercial centres to serve residents living in the eastern part of the town. In each of these developments, there will be a full range of facilities. One commercial centre at Rivervale Plaza is already completed and currently has 4 clinics. The other 2 commercial centres along Rivervale Drive/Crescent and in the town centre will be completing at the end of the year 2000 and in year 2002 respectively. More clinics are expected to open when these 2 centres are completed.

HDB has also provided some commercial facilities in multi-storey car parks. There will be 2 more clinics in the multi-storey car parks at Anchorvale Link and Anchorvale Road, which will be completing within the next three to six months. HDB is also currently looking into the feasibility of providing some clinics at the void decks of HDB blocks as suggested by the Sengkang Town Development Steering Committee.

I would like to assure the Member that HDB will continue to assist the Sengkang Town Development Steering Committee to bring about timely provision of facilities, such as clinics, in Sengkang.

Mr Goh Chong Chia asked the Minister for Information and the Arts (a) whether the construction of the National Arts Centre is within the original planned contract period; and (b) what will be its final contract sum compared to its original cost estimate.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Mr Goh is referring to Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay, which was originally planned for completion in February 2001. Due to complexity in the design and construction, the completion date is now targeted for November 2001. The centre is expected to be operational by July 2002.

The project was originally estimated to cost $513 million in July 1995 when it was approved. This was revised to $595 million after the superstructure tender was closed in September 1997. The increase in project cost of $81 million or 16% was caused by inflation in construction cost, higher costs for basement construction and higher costs of preliminaries for the complex works. A large part of the cost increase was due to the site's very poor soil conditions, the Esplanade's unique structure and additional building elements which are required to respond to the site conditions, including sound insulations from underground trains. The additional costs had to be incurred to ensure that the quality of the arts centre is not compromised.