Reply by MOS Tan Kiat How in response to Adjournment Motion by MP Christopher De Souza On “The Preservation Of Dover Forest In Ulu Pandan”

Feb 1, 2021

Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Honorable Member, Mr Christopher De Souza for raising this matter. 

Mr De Souza shared that the Ulu Pandan site, which some refer to as the “Dover Forest”, is close to the hearts of his residents, and he spoke up very passionately about this topic. 

As someone who grew up in the area and spent much time exploring the spaces there, I can well appreciate these sentiments. The way that Mr De Souza described the vision that he has for Ulu Pandan gives me a twinge of regret for moving out.  

So first, and foremost, I want to acknowledge the concerns and wishes of Mr De Souza’s residents.

The Ulu Pandan site used to be a rubber plantation before it was abandoned. It was rezoned for Residential use under the Master Plan 2003. 

We were mindful of this characteristic when planning for its development. Hence, the HDB engaged a consultant to conduct an environmental baseline study to inform our plans. Nature groups were consulted, and many residents living in the area provided feedback when the report was published online. We received a wide range of views. Some called for the preservation of the Ulu Pandan site, and asked HDB to consider alternative sites in the area instead. Mr De Souza mentioned a number of these sites in his speech. Others supported using the site for public housing so as to meet the needs of Singaporeans. However, these respondents also called for the site to be developed in a way that allows for their children and their grandchildren to continue enjoying the greenery. 

We are studying the feedback and welcome more Singaporeans to provide their views, as we refine plans for the Ulu Pandan site. HDB will extend the public consultation period for another 4 weeks.

We will carefully consider the feedback received, and share our plans, when ready. 

We take this approach of consulting stakeholders and balancing the different needs of Singaporeans seriously. Minister Desmond Lee spoke about this important stewardship role earlier. Because land is scarce in Singapore, we have to plan judiciously. We recycle our limited land, for instance, through selling it on a leasehold basis, allowing us to refresh our land use and renew our cityscape and neighbourhoods. We optimise our limited land supply by co-locating uses, increasing the density of land plots, redeveloping existing sites, and where it makes sense, going underground. For example, the East Coast Integrated Depot will incorporate three MRT depots and one for buses. Doing so will save 44ha of land – this is about twice the size of Changi Airport Terminal 4. With careful planning, we can safeguard some of our ecologically important sites as green spaces, such as the Kranji Marshes. And where we have to develop greenfield sites, we do so after careful deliberation, seeking to preserve and integrate natural elements into the developments.

At the heart of these decisions, it is not just about balancing the various needs of Singaporeans today, but importantly, it is also about balancing the needs of today’s generation with those that come after us. 

And that is why I am very heartened that despite the differing viewpoints we received on the Ulu Pandan site, there was a common thread running through the feedback: there was a strong desire to be responsible stewards for future generations.

And we put in just as much thought and effort into conserving nature. It is part of our DNA, deeply intertwined with our Singapore Story. The lush greenery we see today is the result of dedicated and sustained efforts by generations of Singaporeans, who have been greening our city and planting trees year after year, for over 60 years. It is the result of deliberate decisions made by earlier terms of government, who have safeguarded our green spaces even as they developed our urban landscape and built homes for Singaporeans.

But we are not done. We have a vision to transform Singapore into a City in Nature. We will continue to identify core biodiversity areas and their surrounding buffers, and to retain these sites where possible. We will continue to strengthen ecological connectivity, through enhancing our network of ecological corridors, such as the Bukit Batok Nature Corridor. This will better connect habitats in nature reserves and nature parks to that in gardens and parks.

And we are committed to do more. We will intensify greenery and integrate nature into our built environment. For example, through partnering the community to plant one million trees by 2030 and to implement more skyrise greenery in our buildings and infrastructure. These efforts will help us mitigate the impact of urbanisation and climate change, and provide a high-quality living environment for Singaporeans, with greater access to nature’s benefits.

Mr Speaker, let me speak in Mandarin, please.

议长先生，我能够理解迪舒沙议员的居民们的顾虑，也了解他们的诉求。

根据2003年发展总蓝图，乌鲁班丹的这一块地，也就是一些人俗称为“杜佛树林”的地方，被规划作为住宅用途。建屋发展局在进行设计前，聘用顾问专家对这块地展开了环境基线研究。

我们也收集到各界的意见，大家的看法不尽相同。一些人主张保留乌鲁班丹的这块地, 一些人则赞成用这块地来建造组屋，来满足国人的不同住房需求。赞成建房子的人也建议小心发展这块地，让后代子孙也还能够享受到绿意。

我们正在研究这块地的发展计划，欢迎国人继续提出看法和意见。建屋局将会多进行四个星期的公众咨询。我们会仔细考虑收集到的所有建议，日后公布相关的计划。

咨询利益相关者、平衡国人的不同需求，这一项工作，我们一向抱持着认真的态度在进行。由于新加坡土地有限，我们必须审慎地规划。我们不只是必须平衡国人眼下的不同需求， 我们还必须在这一代国人的需求和后代子孙的需求之间取得平衡。

我们也在大自然保育方面投入了很大的心力。我们今日看见的满城绿意，是一代代国人努力的成果；大家过去六十多年来，年复一年、日复一日地栽种树木，绿化了这个岛国。
我们之前的一届届政府，在发展岛国和建造房屋安顿国人之际，不忘保留绿地。这决定为新加坡铺设了一条绿色大道，朝着成为“大自然中的城市”这个目标迈进。

Mr Speaker sir, in conclusion, we are committed to act as responsible stewards for Singapore and Singaporeans, for today’s generation and those that come after us. Striving to make good use of our limited land; preserving as much of our natural heritage as we can. 

We will continue to consult and engage with Singaporeans based on their feedback, consider feedback and suggestions seriously, as we balance the various needs. 

I am confident that we can do so if all Singaporeans continue to see ourselves as stewards for what we have and for the future. Thank you.