Vimita Mohandas Channel NewsAsia 19 Oct 13;
SINGAPORE: Residents in Kembangan-Chai Chee can look forward to a new community deck that improves accessibility in 2015.
There will also be additional seating spaces and greenery, as well as a rain garden that improves water quality.
These are some of the enhancements that residents will get to enjoy when the Siglap Canal undergoes a makeover under the PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme.
Acting Minister for Manpower and Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade GRC Tan Chuan-Jin was at the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday evening.
The 3.2km Siglap Canal runs between Bedok Reservoir Road and the sea, and passes through estates like Kembangan, Telok Kurau and Marine Parade.
PUB will build a deck over the canal to improve residents' access to the community club, providing a plaza where community activities such as line dancing and taiji can be carried out.
Further upstream, PUB is also partnering Telok Kurau Primary School to introduce ABC Waters design features such as a rain garden and roof garden, as well as a detention tank within the school compound.
Rain and roof gardens serve to cleanse stormwater runoff before it is discharged into the waterway, while the detention tank slows down surface runoff and reduces the peak flow of stormwater into the public drainage system.
The project creates an outdoor learning experience for the students as they gain a deeper understanding on how a holistic stormwater design concept can be incorporated into developments.
Mr Tan said: “I think as Singapore develops, what we are doing with NParks and PUB, I think, is significantly important because it makes the space a lot more liveable and water adds to a very different dimension to the place.”
- CNA/nd
Siglap Canal to undergo makeover
Today Online 19 Oct 13;
SINGAPORE – A community deck to improve accessibility, additional seating spaces and greenery, as well as a rain garden to improve water quality. These are some of the enhancements residents can look forward to when the 3.2km Siglap Canal undergoes a makeover under the PUB’s Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme.
At a 150-metre section next to the Kampong Kembangan Community Club, PUB will deck over the canal to improve residents’ access to the community club. ABC Waters design features such as a rain garden will also be added to treat stormwater runoff before it is discharged into the waterway, improving water quality in the canal while beautifying the surrounding landscape and enhancing biodiversity.
Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin and Adviser for Marine Parade GRC officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project this evening (Oct 19).
PUB is also partnering Telok Kurau Primary School to introduce ABC Waters design features like a rain garden and a roof garden, as well as a detention tank within the school compound.
Both projects will be completed by end 2015.
Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB’s Director of Catchment and Waterways, sai: “Through the projects at Kampong Kembangan Community Club and Telok Kurau Primary School, we hope to enhance the quality of the living environment, promote community bonding and bring residents and students closer to the waters so that they can better appreciate and cherish this resource.”
The ABC Waters Programme was launched in April 2006 to transform Singapore’s water bodies. Over 100 potential locations have been identified over the next 20 years. As of last month, 22 projects have been completed, with an additional 21 ABC Waters certified projects completed by other public agencies and private developers. At least 20 projects will commence in the next five years.
Siglap Canal to become a place to hang out
Linette Lai And Goh Chin Lian Straits Times 20 Oct 13;
Siglap Canal will be a greener, more beautiful waterway by 2015.
Parts of the 3.2km-long canal will undergo a makeover, with enhancements such as a community deck and rain gardens.
A 150m section next to the Kampong Kembangan Community Club will be decked over, providing a space for activities such as line-dancing and taiji.
Upstream, national water agency PUB will work with Telok Kurau Primary School to design a rain garden and a rooftop garden. These help to clean stormwater runoff before it is discharged into the canal.
It is also building a detention tank, which will help to reduce the peak flow of stormwater into the drainage system.
These new features were unveiled at yesterday's groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which was attended by four of the five MPs for Marine Parade GRC including Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, who was guest of honour.
PUB director of catchment and waterways Tan Nguan Sen said he hopes the enhancements will bring residents in the area together.
"Through the projects... we hope to enhance the quality of the living environment, promote community bonding, and bring residents and students closer to the waters, so that they can better appreciate and cherish this resource," he said.
Siglap Canal runs between Bedok Reservoir Road and the sea off East Coast beach.
Along the way, it passes through estates like Kembangan, Telok Kurau and Marine Parade.
The canal's new look is part of the PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, which aims to beautify Singapore's water bodies.
Acting Manpower Minister Mr Tan said the new project would make the area more livable. "Water adds a different dimension to the place," he added. "It's quite exciting there (and) it's something we're looking forward to."
