SLA grants extension to 'illegal farmers' in Clementi

Olivia Siong Channel NewsAsia 20 Mar 12;

SINGAPORE: Residents who have been illegally using State land at Clementi Avenue 4 for farming were given a reprieve on Tuesday.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has granted a three-month extension to those who have identified themselves.

They had originally been asked to vacate by March 20.

The land was formerly occupied by the Malaysian Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) but it has since been returned to Singapore.

So far, 13 individuals have come forward and they will work with grassroots organisations for an acceptable arrangement during the grace period.

The others have been given till April 3 to identify themselves.

The three months grace period will also be extended to them if they come forward between now and April 3.

If they do not do so, SLA said it will have no choice but to dismantle and remove the enclosed areas and illegal structures.

Measures are also in place to address health concerns, like mosquito breeding and the burning of leaves.

SLA said vector control has been carried out to prevent mosquito breeding in stagnant ponds and signs will be put up to warn the public of potential dangers such as potholes and ponds.

Advisory notices will also be put up against the illegal burning of leaves after some residents in nearby blocks had earlier complained that the burning had caused discomfort, especially for those with breathing problems.

SLA said the land has been reserved under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Master Plan 2008 but there are no immediate plans for the site.

The area's MP Sim Ann welcomed the move.

Earlier, on behalf of those using the land, Ms Sim had asked SLA for more time to resolve the matter.

Ms Sim said: "(It is) good of SLA to offer an extension to users who have identified themselves. I'm also very glad to know that the users are prepared to abide by all public health and safety regulations because that's important. The grassroots will use this time to consider views from the residents and see if we should apply for a temporary use of state land for community purposes, pending future plans for development."

SLA said it will step up surveillance of the area and work with grassroots and residents to detect illegal activities, like the burning of leaves.

It will continue to consult grassroots organisations on possible interim use of the land that will benefit the wider community.

It's understood that grassroots organisations are considering whether to take up a Temporary Occupational License for community use.

Community garden in Moulmein-Kallang flourishing
Lim Wee Leng Channel NewsAsia 20 Mar 12;

SINGAPORE : A community garden built on state land is flourishing in a neighbourhood in central Singapore.

Residents in Moulmein-Kallang have been tending to the Goldhill Community Garden since 2008.

They obtained approval from authorities to convert the patch of land, which had been misused by some to dump their rubbish.

Today, the area is tended by over 100 residents who grow crops like lentils, winter melons and lady's fingers.

The Goldhill Community Garden has an open concept. It is not fenced up.

The project has even attracted residents from beyond the constituency, some who come as early as 6am to do their gardening.

Ang Kian Chuan, chairman of the Moulmein Goldhill Neighbourhood Committee, said: "The most important thing was that the neighbours were quite united in wanting this community garden.

"One concern was that we should not cause any disruption or any problems environmentally, and in terms of noise, problems to the neighbours, we were able to convince them that we will be responsible."

- CNA/ms

SLA extends deadline for 'illegal farmers' to vacate state land
Olivia Siong Today Online 21 Mar 12;

SINGAPORE - Residents who illegally used state land at Clementi Avenue for farming were given a reprieve yesterday as the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) granted a three-month extension to the 13 individuals who have identified themselves.

The individuals, who were supposed to vacate the area by yesterday, will work with grassroots organisations towards an acceptable arrangement.

The remaining residents will also be given a three-month grace period, if they step forward by April 3. Otherwise, the SLA said it will have "no choice but to dismantle and remove the enclosed areas and illegal structures".

The land was formerly occupied by Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) but has since been returned to Singapore.

Meanwhile, vector control has been carried out to prevent mosquito breeding and signs will be put up to warn the public of dangers such as potholes. Advisory notices will also be put up against the illegal burning of leaves.

The SLA said it will step up surveillance and work with the grassroots organisations and residents to detect illegal activities.

According to the SLA, the land has been reserved under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Master Plan 2008 but there are no immediate plans for the site. It will continue to consult grassroots organisations on possible interim use.

The area's Member of Parliament Sim Ann said the grassroots organisations will consider residents' views and decide if they should apply for a license to use the land temporarily for community purposes.

In a statement, Ms Sim said: "(It is) good of the SLA to offer an extension to users who have identified themselves."

The Nature Society (Singapore) (NSS) yesterday appealed to the SLA to allow the area - coined the Clementi Garden by the NSS - to continue to be used as a community fruit and vegetable garden, under the NParks' Community in Bloom scheme.

In a letter addressed to SLA chief executive Vincent Hoong, NSS president Shawn Lum pointed out that the area was part of the railway lands which the NSS had recommended to be retained as a Green Corridor and a community garden would be a "suitable development".

"Properly implemented, the Clementi Garden will be a place where the elderly residents can practice active ageing, where families and neighbours can bond over gardening and where the young can have hands-on science lessons and develop a sense of responsibility in caring for the garden," he said.

Dr Lum added that the NSS is ready to work with agencies and residents to maintain the area as part of the Green Corridor.

Clementi farmers get 3 months' respite
That's the time given by SLA to work out a deal with grassroots groups
Grace Chua Straits Times 21 Mar 12;

THE Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has given those farming illegally in Clementi another three months to work out an 'acceptable' solution, it said yesterday.

Farmers will be given time to work out a deal with grassroots organisations (GROs) 'that is acceptable to SLA and the GROs', said the agency in a statement.

The 1,800 sq m strip of land, bounded by the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway line, Sungei Ulu Pandan, Clementi Avenue 4 and Clementi Avenue6, is state land, and those who toil there violate encroachment laws. It could be turned into one of the most spacious community gardens on the island to benefit the young and old, advocates say. But much hinges on GROs' support.

Local residents have grown fruit and vegetables on the plot of land for three decades. But some residents complained of mosquito breeding and smoke from burning leaves, spurring the land management agency to order the farmers out.

Yesterday was the original deadline, and those who maintain a small temple at the site had already dismantled much of that structure. But that deadline was changed last week, after Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Sim Ann, who oversees the area, stepped in to mediate.

Then, the SLA asked the farmers to come forward and identify themselves. So far, 13 have done so.

Those who have not come forward have another two weeks to do so, until April 3. Otherwise, 'SLA will have no choice but to proceed to dismantle and remove the enclosed areas and illegal structures', the agency said.

In response to the statement, Ms Sim said: 'It is good of SLA to offer a three- month extension to those land users who have identified themselves.

'We are also glad to know that the users are prepared to abide by all public health and safety regulations.'

Mr Lester Yeong, 35, whose father farms a patch near Clementi Avenue 6, said he spoke to 12 of the 15 regular farmers, who have agreed to stop burning leaves, clear containers that might be mosquito-breeding grounds, and maintain the garden areas so they are neat.

Bukit Timah grassroots groups are forming a committee to seek ground-up feedback and ideas on what can be done with the land, said Mr Edwin Pang, vice-chairman of the Bukit Timah Zone 4 Residents' Committee.

One example, he said, would be to keep the kampung-style farming going, though maintenance and cost would need to be considered.

On the Clementi side, Mr Arthur Fong, MP for the division in West Coast GRC, said residents were welcome to join an existing community garden group, or a soon-to-be-formed community garden interest group in the next few months.

But the newest community garden in the precinct will be no more than 135 sqm, about the size of an executive Housing Board flat. Many 'official' community gardens, Mr Yeong pointed out, are already over-subscribed.

Mr Fong explained that the illegal farm is on SLA land outside of Clementi division, so existing Clementi grassroots organisations should not apply for a temporary occupancy licence for it. However, he would be glad to explore cross-collaborations with the Bukit Timah side, which is part of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

At least one other community garden sits on public land, under a temporary occupancy licence. In a 1km stretch underneath the MRT track from Paya Lebar to Eunos, about 40 residents from Eunos Road 5 tend to individual plots. The HDB owns the land, and the residents' committee pays the annual rent of $400 to $500.

The Nature Society (Singapore) has also thrown its hat into the ring in support of the Clementi farmers. In a letter to the SLA yesterday, its president Shawn Lum suggested that the land be kept as a community fruit and vegetable garden.

'As the Clementi Garden is part of the railway lands which NSS had strongly recommended to be retained as a Green Corridor, being a valuable piece of ecological and historical heritage, such a community garden would be a very suitable development for that plot of land.'