DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR BUANGKOK STATION AREA

Mr Charles Chong asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will give the number of completed residential blocks within a 600-metre radius of Buangkok Station and (b) what are the development plans for the area and when will these developments commence.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Sir, there are 58 completed HDB residential blocks comprising 4,720 flats that are within a straight-line distance of 600 metres from the Buangkok MRT station. Another 1,395 flats in the area are currently under construction. These were offered for sale under the Build-To-Order (BTO) scheme in 2001 and 2002 and are estimated to be completed in 2005 or 2006.

HDB will be offering another 450 flats around the Buangkok Station under this year's BTO programme. If the demand for these flats is strong, HDB will proceed to tender and construct these flats, and may also consider offering more BTO sites around the Buangkok Station before the end of the year.

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for his quick action. As I passed the station this morning, new flats were already being constructed around that area.

Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether he has an estimate on the number of residents who will be moving into that area after these developments within the next two years or so.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: I have always told this House that we are very responsive. So, even before the Member asked the question, we have already responded. How is that? But to answer his question specifically, there are currently two or three contracts which are already under construction and they would be ready somewhere around 2003/2004. I do not have the specific numbers here but I can tell the Member that we should have something like 1,400 units available in 2005/2006. Beyond that, of course, it would depend on the take-up rate of the BTOs. We are offering one particular BTO programme this August, which will be about 450 flats. That would be ready in, say, four years' time, which takes us up to 2007, and thereafter the take-up rate will correspond to the rate at which we build which, in turn, will be dependent on the demand.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Did the LTA or SBS Transit at any time know that, during the construction of the North East Line, the Buangkok Station will not have enough ridership?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: I think I should leave that answer to my colleague. I can say generally that the building programme around the station has been slowed down because of the general slowdown in demand. There were original plans to build flats in the area, but these plans have not been carried through because of the general slowdown in demand over the last few years. But if you want to ask about the Buangkok Station itself, I think my colleague will be able to answer.

Mr Speaker: Is it about Buangkok Station, Mr Chiam?

Mr Chiam See Tong: Did the LTA, during the construction of the North East Line, already know that there would be enough ridership at the Potong Pasir MRT station?

Mr Speaker: Mr Mah, I do not think you need to answer the question.