Singapore's largest man-made floating wetland opens

Joanne Chan Channel NewsAsia 7 Nov 10;

SINGAPORE: Punggol and Sengkang residents can now enjoy Singapore's largest man-made floating wetland.

The Sengkang Floating Wetland in Punggol Reservoir is a floating structure half the size of a football field - the first of this scale to be built in Singapore.

It was officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday.

The wetland links Anchorvale Community Club to the Sengkang Riverside Park.

Rich in biodiversity, the wetland also serves to cleanse the water in the reservoir.

And there are plans to set up a water sports activities centre at Sengkang West so that residents can participate in canoeing and dragon boating.

To promote conservation, NTUC FairPrice has sponsored S$30,000 to set up an educational fund for the Sengkang Floating Wetland.

The project is developed by national water agency PUB as part of the
Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme, which aims to revitalise water bodies in Singapore.

Other ABC Waters Programme projects underway include Bishan Park and Alexandra Canal.

Prime Minister Lee also called on Singaporeans to keep the parks and waters clean.

"We've got to keep our parks and waters pristine and beautiful, and keep our estates clean, too, because when it rains in Sengkang or Anchorvale or Punggol, the litter on the ground will be washed into the reservoirs through the drains and the canals and eventually it will mess up our drinking water," he said.

- CNA/ir


Floating wetland opens in Punggol Reservoir
Ong Dai Lin Today Online 8 Nov 10;
SINGAPORE - Residents in the Punggol and Sengkang area can look forward to enjoying water sports in a scenic reservoir with the opening of the Sengkang Floating Wetland yesterday.

The wetland, situated in the Punggol Reservoir, links the Anchorvale Community Club to the Sengkang Riverside Park via a boardwalk and a bridge. Roughly the size of half a football field, it is the largest man-made floating wetland in Singapore.

The Anchorvale CC management committee is working closely with the People's Association Water-Venture to set up a water sports activities centre at the reservoir. Some of the water activities will include canoeing and dragon boating.

Dr Lam Pin Min, an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said the opening of the floating wetland and proposed water activities centre "bring us one step closer to our vision of transforming Sengkang West into a suburban recreation hub".

The wetland is home to about 18 plant species that have been chosen for both their cleansing and aesthetic properties. Besides beautifying the reservoir, the plants will help keep the water clean.

Sengkang West Division is home to more than 12,000 households.

Guest of honour at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said that since the wetland was completed, more birds and dragonflies have been spotted at the reservoir. He also stressed the need to keep the place pristine.

He said: "Unless the residents take care of it and nurture it, it's not going to last. We've got to keep ... our estates clean also. Because when it rains in Sengkang, or Anchorvale or Punggol, then the litter on the ground will be washed into the reservoirs through the drains and the canals and eventually it will mess up our drinking water."

The Sengkang Floating Wetland is a $7.5 million project under the Public Utilities Board's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme. Schools in the area, such as Fernvale Primary School and Anchor Green Primary School, have adopted the wetland and will help to keep it clean.

NTUC FairPrice Co-operative will also sponsor $30,000 over two years to support school activities related to the area. Mdm Tan Bee Leng, who lives in Sengkang, is thrilled with the new floating wetland. "I'm quite surprised that Sengkang has this kind of scenery. It's nice and is a place for residents to come and jog," she said.

Time to add 'blue' to a green Singapore, says PM
New Sengkang wetland part of ongoing effort to beautify water bodies
Kor Kian Beng Straits Times 8 Nov 10;

WHENEVER Punggol Central resident Tini Norahmad, 28, wants to let her two boys, aged three and one, enjoy the calming effect of water, she heads to the Woodlands waterfront area near the Causeway.

But that means putting up with an hour-long bus journey.

Now she has a better option, which is a 15-minute ride by Light Rapid Transit (LRT) to the Anchorvale Community Club.

This comes with the opening of the Sengkang Floating Wetland yesterday, a floating structure built in a stretch of the Punggol Reservoir near the CC.

The wetland, which is connected by bridges to two banks of the reservoir, also provides a sanctuary for birds and fish.

Ms Tini, an administrative executive, said: 'It's a good idea to have a place nearby where we can enjoy walking next to the water, without having to travel too far.'

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who opened the wetland yesterday, said it was part of ongoing efforts to revitalise Singapore's water bodies into clean, pleasant and bustling community spaces for the benefit of residents.

To mark the annual Tree Planting Day this month, Mr Lee, together with fellow MPs for Ang Mo Kio GRC, also planted a tree at the nearby Sengkang Riverside Park.

Noting the success in 'greening' the country despite urbanisation over the years, he said 'blue-ing' efforts have been under way to bring waterfront living to residents and enhance the quality of life.

He urged residents to play their part in keeping the parks and waters 'pristine and beautiful' by not littering.

The wetland is half the size of a football field and is said to be the largest of its kind here.

The 18 wetland plant species were chosen for their ability to cleanse the waters by taking in nutrients and pollutants through their roots.

The wetland is designed with a fruit theme and features orange-shaped seats and a giant 'mangosteen' pavilion providing shelter for park users.

There are also plans to set up a water activities centre so that residents can take part in canoeing and dragonboating activities, said Dr Lam Pin Min, MP for the GRC's Sengkang West ward.

The project received the thumbs-up from engineer Lee Boon Han, 38.

Mr Lee, who often travels from his Hougang Avenue 9 flat to jog near the reservoir, said: 'The reservoir is a beautiful place for residents to relax, enjoy nature and appreciate more about birds and plants. It makes me want to get out of my house more often.'

PM opens Sengkang wetland
Straits Times 8 Nov 10;

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday opened the Sengkang Floating Wetland in Punggol Reservoir, which is designed with a 'fruitful' theme.

Among the features are a mangosteen pavilion and orange seats. The wetland is a floating structure which is half the size of a football field - the first of this scale to be built in Singapore.

PM Lee said about 18 specially chosen wetland plant species have been planted in the area. These plants take in nutrients and pollutants through their roots, cleansing the water naturally.

As wetland also provides a habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife, Mr Lee said NParks has noticed more birds and dragonflies since the project was completed.

In his speech, Mr Lee said despite population growth and increasing urbanisation, Singapore has actually increased our green cover. It now has an extensive water network, spanning 17 reservoirs, 32 major rivers and more than 7,000 km of canals and drains.

He said two more waterways are being developed at Bishan Park and Alexandra Canal under the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters programme, and will create new community spaces which are clean, pleasant and bustling with life and activity.