An island in Sengkang

Lee Hup Kheng, The New Paper 12 Mar 08;

YOU read right.

Singapore's first man-made floating island is scheduled to be ready in two years' time.

The island, which will be about half the size of a football field, will take pride of place in the new Punggol Reservoir.

It is part of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme by PUB, the national water agency.

Drawing inspiration from a nearby fruit park which is being developed by National Parks Board (NParks), the project has a tutti-frutti theme, with a large mangosteen pavilion, lime seats and peer-through orange slices so that one can see the water and life brimming beneath.

Work will start this month. PUB recently awarded the public tender for this project to Marina Technology and Construction at $7.13million.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the project at a ground-breaking ceremony at Sungei Punggol.

When completed in 2010, the island, which will be a floating wetland, will become a natural habitat for fishes and birds.

Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB's Director of Catchment and Waterways said: 'We are looking at creative ways to bring people closer to the water and the floating island at Sengkang is an example of that with its refreshing setting.'

People can get up close to water by walking over to the island through two types of bridges - a foot bridge on one bank or a floating boardwalk on the opposite bank.

MAKING A CONNECTION

The floating island will also connect the new Sengkang Park and Anchorvale Community Club, making it easy for people to enjoy the integrated facilities.

Said Mr Raymond Chua, Chairman of the Citizens' Consultative Committee of Sengkang West Constituency: 'The floating island will be an important link between the new facilities and with its interesting fruit theme, it will become an icon for Sengkang.'

PUB said that more ABC Waters projects are on the way, with those at Kallang River (along Bishan Park), Jurong Lake, Lower Seletar Reservoir and Pandan Reservoir earmarked to start this year.

The ABC Waters programme aims to transform Singapore's waterways from concrete longkangs and functional reservoirs to picturesque and vibrant streams, rivers, and lakes.

PUB hopes the programme will inspire people to take care of Singapore's precious water resources by using it wisely and keeping it clean.

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