Reclaimed ‘Long Island’ off East Coast could be about twice the size of Marina Bay: Desmond Lee
Close to 800ha across three tracts of land might potentially be reclaimed off East Coast Park in near future years, presenting area for new homes and services. Dubbed “Long Island”, the land would be about twice the measurements of Marina Bay, says Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration.
Lee Sze Teck, top supervisor of information analytics at Huttons Asia, assesses that at 800ha, Long Island would be similar in size to the Kallang-Whampoa estate and might potentially house in between 30,000 and 60,000 new homes with a good mix of business, recreation and eco-friendly elements.
Technical researches will be accomplished to analyze the feasibility of the project, with the researches anticipated to take about five years. At the same time, residents and stakeholders are going to be engaged to provide comments and ideas on the project. Provided the range of the development, full planning and utilization of Long Island “is going to take years”, Minister Lee claims.
” It is very likely that the allocation for public housing will be greater than private housing on Long Island,” Huttons’ Lee states, adding that the HDB flats will likely be launched either under the Prime or Plus model.
In any case, the future property developments on Long Island will likely benefit present exclusive developments along the East Coast, the majority of which are freehold, Huttons’ Lee concludes. “It may even boost the potential for en-bloc down the road.”
The proposed Long Island will certainly integrate coastal protection steps with future reclamation plans for the place, in view of the continued influence of environment difference that includes increasing water level. “Mean sea levels around Singapore are predicted to rise by up to 1m by the end of this century. When high water coincide with hurricane surges, water level can rise by up to 4 to 5m above mean sea level. This is a very significant concern, since approximately one-third of our island is below 5m over mean sea level, and in danger of being swamped by the sea,” Minister Lee describes.
He continues: “The opportunities of creating a second Sentosa are low as the state wants to develop an inclusive society allowing every person connectivity to excellent residences and not just for the wealthy.” He also checks out that the program will certainly motivate further investment into transportation connection, with the potential for an MRT or LRT expansion to expand from the Thomson-East Coast Line to Long Island.
The idea of Long Island would “project coastal projection seawards”, permitting the occurring East Coast Park to be preserved mainly in its present state, Minister Lee claims. It will also develop an enclosed waterbody, which will become a freshwater reservoir gradually, contributing to Singapore’s water system while furthermore being a place the general public can make use of for water functions.
Speaking at a housing enhancement event at East Coast Park hung on Nov 28, Minister Lee indicates that the project would certainly produce prospects for future ages of Singapore. “They can construct homes, create employments, establish support services and facilities that they need, and add around 20 km of brand new seaside and reservoir parks, extending from the existing East Coast Park,” he adds in.
