Government to start long-term planning for Singapore with Concept Plan 2011

Zaki Amrullah, Channel NewsAsia 20 May 09;

SINGAPORE: Singapore residents will soon be able to rediscover the Lion City through a programme called "My New Singapore".

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the programme aims to encourage Singaporeans to discover new developments and leisure destinations on the island through a series of events, activities and visits.

This includes the S$140 million River Safari at Mandai which will be ready by 2011.

In his ministry's addendum to the President's Address delivered at the opening of Parliament on Monday, Mr Mah said his ministry will start the Concept Plan 2011 exercise this year to draw up long-term plans for the country.

This planning exercise ensures that the government will set aside sufficient land and develop adequate infrastructure to meet the needs of its growing economy and population.

Mr Mah also reaffirmed that his ministry will continue to improve public housing, especially during the economic downturn.

The government will increase the supply of two- and three-room flats and rental flats.

Singaporeans can also look forward to more leisure and recreational activities starting with the completion of the first phase of the Gardens by the Bay project in two years. - CNA/vm

Help Singaporeans, spruce up isle for future
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 21 May 09;

TWO key goals will dominate the work of the Ministry of National Development (MND) over the next few years - supporting Singaporeans through the recession and pressing on with efforts to make the Republic an attractive city to live in.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan outlined these key objectives yesterday in an addendum to President SR Nathan's address in Parliament.

On Monday, Mr Nathan assured every Singaporean worker and family that they would be helped and that 'lower-income Singaporeans will not be left to fend for themselves' during the slump.

Mr Mah said public housing would remain a key pillar of the social security safety net.

Moves by the Housing Board to help those hit by the downturn include adopting a flexible approach to families unable to pay their home loans and relaxing eligibility criteria for the Additional Housing Grant.

Already, the HDB has received about 3,000 applications in the three months to the end of last month, with 22 per cent of these applicants in the household income range of $4,001 to $5,000. Such households were not previously eligible.

Supply of rental flats and smaller flat types will be ramped up to provide more affordable housing options for the low-income and elderly, said Mr Mah.

As of end March, HDB had launched for sale about 690 new two-room flats and 2,370 new three-room flats in towns such as Sengkang, Punggol, Bukit Panjang, Yishun and Woodlands.

And further MND initiatives, such as the lease buyback scheme, have been introduced to allow the elderly to monetise their flats to create annuities. To date, HDB has received more than 250 applications for this lease buyback scheme.

Mr Mah also revealed that an extra $5 billion is set to be invested in upgrading HDB estates and homes.

Chair of the GPC for National Development and Environment Cedric Foo said public housing was, rightly, a key priority for the Government.

The committee's agenda will include looking at integrating the growing number of permanent residents and foreign workers into local society, he added.

Alongside working to help those affected by the downturn, the ministry will position Singapore as an 'exciting and modern metropolis', said Mr Mah.

Further infrastructure investments will be earmarked to beef up growth areas such as Marina Bay, Jurong Lake District, Kallang Riverside and Paya Lebar.

Work on the 2011 Concept Plan to draw up a long-term vision for Singapore commences this year, said Mr Mah.

And MND has unveiled a new initiative - My New Singapore - to encourage Singaporeans to rediscover their country.

They can look forward to more leisure and recreational facilities such as the first phase of Gardens by the Bay at Marina, which is set to be open by 2011, and a 300km park connector network that will loop the island.

Mr Mah said yesterday the property and construction markets will be closely monitored and if necessary, MND will 'adopt additional measures to support their efficient functioning and stability'.

At the same time, it will develop Singapore sustainably, promoting green buildings and piloting the use of solar panels in public housing estates.

To ensure a high-quality living environment, MND will ensure high food safety standards and supply resilience, said Mr Mah, such as strengthening diversification efforts and supporting firms that invest in agriculture businesses overseas.

'We will also maintain a high level of vigilance against the introduction of avian influenza and other food-borne diseases,' he added.

MND will ensure property sector remains stable
It will also help build capabilities of construction firms
Emilyn Yap, Business Times 21 May 09;

THE government will continue to monitor the property and construction markets and adopt more measures to keep them stable if needed, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan yesterday.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) will also introduce measures to build up the capabilities and productivity of construction firms, and make the industry more attractive to Singaporeans, he added.

'As we help Singaporeans tide over the current economic uncertainty, we will press on with our long-term plans to make Singapore an attractive and highly liveable city,' he highlighted in his ministry's addendum to the President's address in Parliament.

MND is overseeing several projects to transform Singapore into an exciting metropolis. For instance, the government has invested close to $5.7 billion in infrastructure in Marina Bay, and will continue to inject more than $1 billion in more works over the next 10 to 15 years.

Beyond Marina Bay, it will also invest in infrastructure in the new growth areas at Jurong Lake District, Kallang Riverside and Paya Lebar.

To ensure that Singapore's growth is sustainable, MND will push harder for the adoption of energy efficient technologies in buildings, and embark on a large-scale solar test-bed within HDB estates.

Recognising that public housing remains a key pillar of the country's social security system, Mr Mah said that the government will help HDB households affected by the downturn to manage immediate mortgage repayments and to work out longer-term solutions, such as switching to smaller flats.

MND will also increase the supply of rental, 2-room and 3-room flats. It will also step up the construction of studio apartments for the elderly looking to monetise their flats.

MND will kick off the Concept Plan 2011 exercise this year to draw up long-term plans for Singapore's growing economy and population.