That's the number of ideas the public has passed to the Govt since July; all suggestions will be considered, says Yaacob
Liaw Wy-Cin, Straits Times 29 Oct 08;
SINGAPOREANS have flooded the Government with more than 1,000 suggestions since July outlining how the country can be more environmentally friendly, officials revealed yesterday.
The ideas, part of a wide-ranging public consultation drive, ranged from stationing a recycling chute in every home to taking empty taxis off the roads.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim addressed some of those proposals last night at a public forum on developing a sustainable Singapore.
While many of the ideas are interesting, they have to be balanced against budgetary and other considerations, he said.
That includes a suggestion to install recycling chutes in flats, a move advocates say would discourage Singaporeans from simply tossing plastic, paper and glass into the trash.
But Dr Yaacob said if each household had its own chute, town council charges might have to go up.
Some 180 people turned up last night at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre in Maxwell Road to discuss ways to keep Singapore green.
They included teachers, students, taxi drivers, housewives, those who worked in pharmaceutical companies as well as members of environmental groups.
Cycling enthusiasts in the audience argued for more bike paths, something they said would encourage people to avoid carbon-emitting vehicles.
Other ideas included making recycling more convenient, educating the young about the benefits of recycling, and having the Government take the environmental lead by using more hybrid cars, for example.
Some suggested that the State penalise energy wastage, similar to what the water conservation tax does.
The tax on water usage is set at either 30 per cent or 45 per cent, with heavy users paying more.
But Dr Yaacob said a decision on that would have to first be carefully considered. 'Do we need something for energy?
'It will take us some time to decide; we will study all the options. Everything is still on the table,' he said of all the suggestions.
A second public forum, chaired by Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan, will be held next Thursday.
A website was launched in July for the public to pen their suggestions and comments.
The more than 1,000 suggestions received so far will be considered as officials draw up a blueprint for sustainable development in Singapore for the next 10 to 15 years.
This road map is expected to be released early next year and will be based on discussions among various ministries, as well as from the public and private sectors.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee for Sustainable Development, chaired by both Dr Yaacob and Mr Mah, was set up in February to think up ways of promoting economic growth without straining natural resources.
Such sustainable development has been a hot topic in recent years among governments as environmentalism becomes an increasing concern as urban populations balloon.
