COS 2015 - Speech by SMS Lee Yi Shyan "Transforming our Heartlands, Enhancing our Lives"

Mar 10, 2015

Mr Chair, let me thank all the Members who have spoken.

In the past 50 years, HDB has implemented one of the most successful public housing programmes in the world, with over 90% proud owners of their own homes. But more than mere physical space, as Minister Khaw has reminded us, we have provided shelters for our young and old. We have helped newly-weds to form families. We have built 3Gen flats to allow for inter-generational care. In short, we have realised the goal of providing an endearing home to every family.

Innovating in New Developments

As our population grows, we need to build new towns. As our demographic profile changes, we are sprucing up old towns to cater for new needs. Let me elaborate.

Mr Chair, MND has in 2013 announced building three new housing areas in Tampines North, Bidadari and Punggol Northshore. May I seek your permission to display some slides on the screen?

Giving due consideration to connectivity and eco-features, we have designed the three housing areas with distinctive community spaces and greenery, seamless pedestrian links and ample amenities.

Tampines North, for instance, will enjoy a 7.5 hectare “Boulevard Park” as a “green shoot” that runs through the estate. It will have a 10-hectare “Quarry Park”, providing green spaces and community facilities for residents. Precincts further away from the “green shoot” will enjoy their own dedicated local parks. We launched the first 1,500 units of BTO flats, Tampines GreenRidges last year. We will launch another 1,200 units for sale this year.

Bidadari residents will be able to enjoy its rolling landscape and rich heritage in the form of the new Alkaff Lake and Heritage Walk. Bidadari will also feature an integrated development at its centre, with a bus interchange, food centre and social communal facilities. We will launch the first 2,000 units of BTO flats in Bidadari later this year.

Miss Penny Low will be pleased to note that the latest housing district in Punggol, Punggol Northshore, will house Punggol’s first seafront public housing. It builds upon the plans for Punggol to be a smart and sustainable town, and features smart car park monitoring systems, smart lighting and a pneumatic waste conveyance system, amongst others. Flat buyers can look forward to 4,100 units to be launched this year.

Punggol residents can also look forward to the completion of Waterway Point and Coney Island Park later this year. SAFRA Clubhouse will open next year. Coney Island Park, with its strong nature focus, will preserve the rustic charm of Punggol. Some of the planned amenities are outside the town centre, and we will work closely with other agencies to ensure that the supporting infrastructure keeps pace.

As Miss Low reminded this House, these new developments are opportunities not only for innovating infrastructural hardware, but also for developing better community software to build heart-ware. HDB welcomes the local community’s suggestions.

Investing in Vibrant Heartlands - Remaking Our Heartland
打造具活力的市镇、再创我们的家园

在建造新镇的同时，我们并没有忘记那些早期建造的市镇。这些市镇虽然年纪比较大，但是因为它们有着便利的交通、设施完善，如今还是深受原居民和新居民的喜爱。

通过“再创我们的家园”翻新计划，我们有系统地翻新旧市镇。 “再创我们的家园”翻新计划是一项规模庞大、意义深长的长期计划。自2007年以来，我们分两批宣布了六个将获得翻新的市镇：第一批包括杜生邻里、义顺和榜鹅；第二批则包括东海岸、后港和裕廊湖邻里。这六个市镇的工程都已经顺利展开，请容许我同在座各位报告其中几个例子。

根据规划，杜生邻里的“杜生阁”（Sky Terrace@ Dawson）会有五座组屋，当中有三座已经完工。这个预购组屋项目让许多年轻新加坡夫妇得以在女皇镇区内，购买一个靠近父母住家的组屋单位。更棒的是，这是首个允许年轻夫妇和父母在 “多代同堂计划”下购买一大一小两个单位的组屋发展项目。以陈立壕先生为例，他购买一个五房式单位，而他的父母则购买一个小型公寓单位。“杜生阁”能够帮助家庭把关系变得更紧密，我们为他们感到很高兴。

过去八年来，义顺经历了很大程度的改变。这个市镇的翻新工作虽然目前仍在进行中，但是我们已经能够看到很多改进了的地方。纳福坊购物中心的翻新工作于2008年完成，里头有一座新的公共图书馆。伫立在义顺湖旁边的邱德拔医院也于2010年投入服务，而湖旁边一座三层楼高的瞭望塔紧接着于隔年落成。

义顺的居民对于新设施感到相当满意。这位是Samuel Gift Stephen和他的表兄弟Lawrence Augustine。Samuel告诉我们说，新的义顺湖青翠美丽了。对于建屋局在展开“再创我们的家园”翻新计划和其他翻新工程前征询了他和其他居民意见的做法，Samuel甚为感激。

义顺的新设施的确为不同年龄层的居民带来便利，为他们增添生活乐趣。图书馆、民众俱乐部、义顺公园、纳福坊购物中心和清水湾等等设施，应有尽有。这一些设施提供了让居民互动和增进社区联系的公共空间。我们希望那里的居民能够善用这些公共空间，一起参与活动、联系邻里，打造一个温馨的现代甘榜。

Remaking Our Heartland – Launch of Batch 3
再创我们的家园 – 第三批受惠市镇

今天，我很高兴宣布第三批加入“再创我们的家园”翻新计划的市镇。

第一个是大巴窑。我们计划翻新大巴窑镇中心，以及改善那里的步行街和公共空间。我们将重新发展大巴窑市镇公园，并且改善公园与镇中心之间的连系。除此之外，汤申东海岸地铁线上的加利谷地铁站将会为大巴窑的居民带来更多便利。我们计划在这个地铁站的周围建造更多组屋和公园，为市镇注入生气，和为有意在大巴窑居住的人提供更多住屋选择。

第二个市镇是兀兰。我们将善用柔佛海峡的沿岸地带，打造更多消闲空间，并且开放整个濒水区域让公众享用。我们也会在兀兰北开发由青葱绿意围绕、具吸引力的住宅项目。

白沙是第三个将被翻新的市镇。我们将会注入新发展项目，把镇中心改造得更具有活力。我们也计划改进多个邻里中心和公园，并且推出更多适合家庭的休闲活动。

我以上提到的都只是初步的构思。接下来的几个月，我们将征询居民和社区代表的意见，改善并加强这些计划。我期盼这三个市镇的居民能够踊跃地提出意见，和我们联手打造更好的居住环境。

Other Upgrading Programs – Eco-features and enhanced mobility

Mr Chair, beyond the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme, we are also investing in sustainable solutions for older towns. In 2012, HDB piloted the $23 million Greenprint programme in Yuhua. Under the programme, residents enjoy eco-solutions and community initiatives. Here are some Yuhua residents enjoying the community parklet, one of the Greenprint Initiatives. The pilot project is well-received. We will select and announce another precinct for HDB Greenprint to further test some of the initiatives in the coming months.

Mr Chair, Members are well aware that HDB has carried out the $5 billion Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) to benefit 500,000 households in the past 15 years. Last year, we further introduced the $94 million Selective Lift Replacement Programme (SLRP) to help Town Councils replace old lifts. The new lifts will be more energy-efficient, allow better wheelchair access, and incorporate various safety and security features, such as vision panels and infra-red door safety sensors.

For about 200 or so blocks that could not benefit from LUP because of technical constraints and prohibitively high cost, HDB is testing various lift solutions. Meanwhile, residents without lift access and who have medical needs can contact HDB for assistance.

Next, let me talk about the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) HDB introduced in 2007. This is a highly subsidised programme – the Government spends up to $25,600 per household, depending on the flat type and improvements selected. We have selected 140,000 households so far since its introduction in 2007, and it has proven so popular that we have increased the pace several times – to 28,000 households in 2012, to 35,000 households last year, and to 50,000 households this year and the next.

In 2012, we also introduced the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme at a cost of $260 million, to support our ageing population. Over 46,000 households have opted for EASE so far.

I thank Mr Ang Hin Kee and Mr Png Eng Huat for their feedback, and we will work with our contractors to see how else we can improve the process for HIP. We are evolving the programme in response to elderly feedback, so that we can better serve their needs. Last year, just two years after introduction, we expanded EASE to offer slip-resistant treatment and grab bars for the second toilet. We also lowered the age criterion for seniors to apply for EASE.

We have also enhanced the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) last year. It will cover more blocks, and provide additional works with an increased budget – we will now spend up to $4,700 per flat, up from the initial budget of $3,400 per flat. Another 45,000 households will benefit from NRP over these two years, bringing the total to 189,000 households by the end of 2016.

Improving Heartland Amenities

Mr Chair, let me now talk about HDB commercial shops. Since 2007, HDB has spent $8.4 million under the Revitalisation of Shops (ROS) programme to help participating shops spruce up their common areas, add new awnings and shop directories, and organise promotional activities. One in two HDB shops islandwide have benefitted so far.

To prepare for the next phase of ROS, I will set up a new committee to take in views and suggestions from merchant associations, retailers and grassroots organisations. I would be delighted if Mr Ang Wei Neng could also join me on the Committee.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked if HDB can help these shops in other ways, such as reducing rentals or providing rebates. HDB has in place measures to stagger rental increases in a rising market. I should clarify that currently, most shops rented directly from HDB are paying lower rentals compared to private commercial rates, and we do not think that additional rebates are needed for now. HDB does not control the rental in shops that are freely transacted in the market.

Importance of Local Ownership

As we reflect on our housing achievements in the last five decades, in the midst of celebrating SG50, I think it is also important for us to think how we can better preserve “kampong spirit” in our HDB neighbourhoods.

This is why, besides building physical spaces, we always encourage community coming together to connect and discuss issues close to their hearts. HDB’s Cool Ideas for Better HDB Living and the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) are two good examples. They allow residents to take initiatives and ownership of their environment.

AHPETC issues

Mr Pritam Singh asked if a platform could be established for opposition TCs and CCCs to discuss CIPC matters. Well, on CIPC projects, the mechanism for coordination already exists. We have observed that all along, CCCs and TCs have worked very well together. CCCs and TCs have come together to propose projects for the CIP Committee’s approval. So, I encourage the AHPETC to work closely with the CCCs to effect more CIPC projects on the ground.

On the suggestion by Ms Lim for a tribunal, I think the rule is very clear. Whatever is inside the HDB flat is the lessee’s responsibility. Sometimes, there may be disputes. But after HDB’s explanation, HDB lessees usually understand their responsibilities in terms of maintaining the interior of their flats. In cases where there are financial difficulties, HDB has a goodwill repair programme for spalling concrete. That is where HDB can step in to get the affected units to repair the ceiling or the floors, as the case may be, for mutual good.

Heavy Vehicle Parking

Mr Chair, let me turn to the subject of heavy vehicle parking. Members would know that by LTA regulation, all new heavy vehicle registrations are permitted only if the owners show proof of having valid heavy vehicle parking lots. So, that is a pre-condition. While there are more than sufficient heavy vehicle parking lots islandwide, the reality is that drivers of heavy vehicles would like to drive their trucks home and park close to their homes.

While we understand their preferences, we also need to consider the concerns of other residents who worry about heavy vehicular traffic and the resulting safety problems in residential areas. Besides, there are also practical difficulties of creating such spaces in highly built up estates. But in certain areas near industry zones, where we can identify temporary vacant plots of land for interim use, we will consider working with the local community on the feasibility of building them up as short-term heavy vehicle parking.

Members will be pleased to note that we are also exploring new ways to alleviate the high demand. For instance, URA and JTC have begun to require some industrial developments to provide integrated heavy vehicle parks. Finally, I must also emphasise that business owners themselves must find parking solutions for their commercial fleets, and they have to make transport arrangements for the drivers between the designated parking lots and the drivers’ homes. I hope that this addresses Ms Lee Li Lian’s concerns.