21 November 2013

Southern shores in the Draft Master Plan 2013

The main changes to the Southern Island in the Plan include plans to build create a freshwater reservoir next to Pulau Brani and a new waterfront park at Keppel Island.
The original natural part of Pulau Semakau is now marked green in the Parks and Waterbodies Plan 2013 overlay. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be much changes in the status of the Southern Islands and Western Islands.

The Draft Master Plan 2013 (DMP2013) guides Singapore’s development over the next 10 to 15 years. All Singapore's wild places are treated under Recreation. Under details for Future Growth: Greater Southern Waterfront of the Central Area, a plan to create another freshwater reservoir next to Pulau Brani.
Our reservoirs not only form a key component of Singapore’s plan to achieve water self-sufficiency, but also provide picturesque settings for a range of outdoor recreational activities. A new reservoir could be created between Tanjong Pagar and Pulau Brani to retain rainwater from the Greater Southern Waterfront and to store excess water from Marina Reservoir that is currently discharged into the sea. This possible future Southern Reservoir would increase local water supply. It would also allow for the creation of an attractive network of canals through human-scale neighbourhoods with lively streetscapes. The canal provides connections to other destinations within the Greater Southern Waterfront.

In constructing the reservoir, the agencies will probably have to take action to control the tremendous amount of siltation that washes from the mainland into the sea. This is more obvious after a heavy rain. This photo was taken close to Marina at Keppel Bay after heavy rain, something that apparently happens regularly. Obviously, if this problem is not dealt with, the freshwater reservoir at Brani will not be a "picturesque settings for a range of outdoor recreational activities" as anticipated.

Under details for "Recreation in the Central Region" there are plans for a new waterfront park at Keppel Island under "Expanding the Southern Ridges":
With the opening of the Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk on 2 Jan 2012, nature lovers can now connect seamlessly from the Southern Ridges to Labrador Nature Reserve. Step onto Berlayer Creek, a boardwalk which is part of Labrador Nature & Coastal Walk, constructed beside a natural mangrove creek. Then go on to Bukit Chermin boardwalk where you can enjoy views over the waters of Keppel Bay. The public promenades along the condominiums of Reflections and Caribbean at Keppel Bay will lead you to Keppel Island where a new waterfront park overlooking Sentosa will be developed.

As usual, the Southern Islands literally fall off the signage at the Draft Master Plan Exhibition at URA Centre.
And only Sentosa is featured on the huge table top model.
Looking at the land use plan for the Southern Islands in the map of the Draft Master Plan 2013.
Draft Master Plan 2013
Compared to the Master Plan 2008, there doesn't appear to be major changes, except it seems they have given up on Seringat-Kias as residential (pink) as the area is now yellow ('Reserve site'). Pulau Hantu's status remains as 'Reserve Site'
Master Plan 2008
This is the map using the Parks and Waterbodies Plan 2013 overlay.
Parks and Waterbodies Plan 2013
I can't track down the online version of the Parks and Waterbodies Plan in 2008 that used to be available on the URA website, but this is snapshot I took in 2008 of the Plan. Looks like the natural Pulau Semakau is now green, while it wasn't in 2008. There's no change in the area covered in green for the Sisters Islands, St. John's Island, Lazarus Island, Pulau Tekukor and Kusu Island. And the Sisters Islands continue to retain the status of "Marine Nature Area" as in 2008. I'm not really sure what this means because I can't find more detailed text explanations of the Parks and Waterbodies Plan 2013.
Parks and Waterbodies Plan 2008
And let's compare the Draft Master Plan 2013:
With the landuse plan by the Ministry of National Development released in Jan 2013 in response to the Populations White Paper with a 6.9 million population target. The dotted margined blue areas are "Possible Future Reclamation".
These are the existing natural shores that may be impacted by the Land Use Plan following the Population White Paper: Pulau Hantu, Terumbu Pempang Darat, Terumbu Pempang Tengah and Pulau Jong and Terumbu Semakau.

What can one person do about this?

Speak up for what you love!
  • Join the Conversation: "Our Singapore Conversation on Green Spaces" 30 Nov (Sat):

    What are specifically the “green spaces” that the majority of people prefer? More of the usual manicured public parks? More nature parks with an emphasis on conserving wild greenery and its wildlife? More managed green areas for recreation like golf-courses, football? It is important that the term “green space” be clearly specified by the people so that national planning can proceed on the right track and be relevant to the people. In this session, we aim to gather people from a wide variety of sectors (professionals, heartlanders, students, sportsmen, etc.) to thrash out these issues.
Organised by the Nature Society (Singapore) and Young NTUC.
Date: 30 Nov (Sat)
Time: 2.30 – 5.30pm
Venue: NTUC Centre, No.1 Marina Boulevard, Level 8 Room 801, One Marina Boulevard
Moderator: Ms Faizah Jamal (Nominated MP)
More details on the Green Drinks blog
Don't take our shores for granted!

You can make a difference! Simply explore, express and ACT!

Visit our shores before they are gone. Join nature activities at our wild places, like those listed on wildsingapore happenings. Share what you've seen. Volunteer for them.

Related posts
What can be found at the affected shores?
Here's more info, photos and stories about our trips to these shores.
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