Extract from

MINUTES OF MEETING BETWEEN PPPEA, MPA, URA and NParks Held on 16th Jan 2007, 8.00 pm at Telok Blangah Community Club

1.1PPPEA, as the representative of Pasir Panjang residents, acknowledge and accept the importance of port development to the nation, and believe that through consultation, the needs of the nation and those of local community (Pasir Panjang, Telok Blangah, and West Coast) can be simultaneously served, so that the maximum amount of benefits can be derived for all stake holders including the affected residents.

1.2Pasir Panjang has been known for:

  • its history, idyllic setting, gorgeous mansions, kampongs and quiet residential enclaves,
  • and now institutions of higher learning, Science Park, Science Hub, World Class Hospital…

1.3Phase III and IV Development will impact Pasir Panjang / West Coast residents more than Phase I and II. In particular Phase IV will impact residents directly since it runs right along the Pasir Panjang Road. There are about 3000 dwellings on both sides of Pasir Panjang Road. This port development will result in a very fundamental transformation of the Pasir Panjang area.

1.4PPPEA see this as an opportunity for “positive transformation”

In view that the entire stretch of Pasir Panjang Road is being drastically transformed ( due to Port Development, Viaduct, Circle Line) PPPEA passionately feels implementation of Phase III and IV presents the last window of opportunity, to soften the impact of port development and to restore some balance of benefits to all stakeholders.

PPPEA proposed that a Green Belt be created in the form of a parkland of about 100m wide running along the seaside of Pasir Panjang Road, connecting West Coast Park at one end to Labrador Park at the other.

This so called New Pasir Panjang Park (to differentiate it from the existing miniscule Pasir Panjang Park) should be approx 100 m wide and even wider where space allows. The New Pasir Panjang Park (NPPP) will

  • serve as a buffer zone between port operation and residential areas, thereby providing much needed relief to the 3000 dwelling units from the adverse effects of port operation
  • provide the missing piece that will link up Tg Belayar /Labrador, Pasir Panjang, West Coast and Kent Ridge Parks
  • provide recreation space for all ages, to enable cycling, jogging etc. In line with our nation’s call to have more children, we must provide better playground facilities for children ages 1 to 6.
  • have seafood restaurants, al fresco dining, car parks
  • provide greenery in general, lungs for the area.
  • be an oasis among the concrete and steel of the container yards and provide soft relief to and enjoyment of the port workers.
  • a visual treat to visitors to the port.

PPPEA urged the Government Agencies present (URA, NParks and MPA) to adopt a broader and holistic approach to the Pasir Panjang area development, and incorporate the proposed NPPP in their development plans.

1.5PPPEA further argued that Singapore is, after all, for Singaporeans. All this port development is eventually meant to benefit Singaporeans through job creation and multiplier effect to the economy, and to give Singaporeans a better life.

Further more, the Port Operation is now a commercial enterprise, managed to maximize profits, like any other enterprises. As such, any attendant social costs in the course of port development must be recognized, accounted for and dealt with accordingly, instead of being ignored, hoping that residents affected will just suffer in silence, and pay the price on behalf of the eventual beneficiary of the Port Operation.

2MPA and URA both responded that they understand the concerns of the residents, and disclosed that a Green buffer had in fact been provided for in the Master Plan 2003. MPA presented a copy of the Master Plan 2003 which showed a green buffer running parallel to Pasir Panjang Road/West Coast Highway. Width of this green buffer is between 10 m to 30m.

URA further mentioned that URA as the land use planning authority can empathize with the residents in this respect and would support any effort which will help to soften the impact of port development on the environment. They pointed out that thorough planning had been carried out taking into account existing site constraints on site and ensuring that there would be minimum impact to residents and the surrounding environment before the current Master Plan was adopted by the Government. NParks representative added that there are actually more parks in the western than in the eastern part of Singapore and there are already on-going plans to connect Telok Blangah Park and Labrador Park.

Appendix A