The government will be carrying out technical studies over the next five years to explore the feasibility of Long Island. At the same time, the authorities will also be engaging the public on plans for Long Island. After technical studies are completed, the authorities will engage the public on the design and masterplan for Long Island.
From 'Long Island' https://www.ura.gov.sg/corporate/planning/Master-Plan/Draft-Master-Plan-2025/Long-Island (as at May 2024)
The threat of rising sea levels is real and a critical one for Singapore. With around 30 per cent of our land less than five metres above mean sea level, Singapore is extremely vulnerable to the impact of sea level rise.
This is especially the case for the East Coast area, where there are already instances of flooding within East Coast Park when high tides coincide with heavy rain. Such events will not only adversely impact on our lives, but also disrupt the operation of critical infrastructure linked to the area, such as East Coast Parkway and Changi Airport.
On 28 November 2023, Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration announced that we are starting technical studies and public consultation on ‘Long Island’ as a solution to protect our homes, businesses, infrastructure and public spaces, such as East Coast Park.
What is 'Long Island'?
‘Long Island’ comprises land reclaimed off the East Coast, and could take the form of ‘islands’ located some distance away from the existing coastline. It offers an integrated solution that will meet multiple national needs, including coastal protection, flood resilience, water resilience, creating more land to meet future development needs, as well as new recreational opportunities for the East Coast.
The concept of ‘Long Island’ was first mooted under the Concept Plan in 1991. In view of the impact of climate change, ‘Long Island’ was subsequently presented as a potential solution to protect the East Coast area against sea level rise. This was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the National Day Rally in 2019.
The concept plans for ‘Long Island’ have since evolved based on public feedback to reflect people’s aspirations, including retaining as much of the existing free and unimpeded access to the coast and waterfront views as much as possible, which was shared during PUB’s Our Coastal Conversation community dialogue sessions in 2022.
How will 'Long Island' help protect Singapore's coasts?
Land at ‘Long Island’ will be reclaimed to a higher level and form a continuous line of defence along the coast for protection against rising sea levels. The existing outlet drains along the coast today will drain into a new reservoir. The reservoir will include two centralised tidal gates and pumping stations, similar to Marina Barrage, which will keep out seawater during high tides and discharge stormwater into the sea during heavy rainfall. The new reservoir will also provide a new source of water supply, enhancing Singapore’s water resilience.
Besides ‘Long Island’, agencies also studied building a sea wall up to 3 metres in height along the entire waterfront of East Coast Park (from Marina East to Tanah Merah). This sea wall would need to be supplemented by 12 tidal gates and pumping stations, one at each of the 12 existing outlet drains along this stretch of the coastline.
However, this is not ideal as the sea wall would result in extended periods of disruption to park users during its construction. The 12 pumping stations would also take up a large amount of park space (equivalent to about 15 football fields).
What new opportunities does 'Long Island' present?
Beyond protecting the East Coast from sea level rise, ‘Long Island’ will also offer exciting opportunities and cater to the needs and aspirations of many generations of Singaporeans. Around 20 kilometres of new coastal and waterfront parks could potentially be added to the existing East Coast Park, which will triple the length of the waterfront parks in the area. The new green and blue spaces could also be integrated with recreational spaces, waterfront living concepts and nature-based solutions, to create multi-functional and climate-resilient spaces for homes, recreation, and nature.
How long will it take to realise 'Long Island'?
‘Long Island’ could be about two times the size of Marina Bay (by land area) and is expected to take a few decades to plan, design and implement. In view of the urgency to protect the East Coast from sea level rise, agencies will commence technical studies from 2024, and concurrently engage stakeholders and the public as part of the process.
What do the technical studies for 'Long Island' entail?
The technical studies which agencies will carry out from 2024 onwards include engineering studies and environmental impact assessment. These studies will examine the potential trade-offs of reclamation and the opportunities it could bring to guide the future development of ‘Long Island’.
The studies will also explore ways to better integrate coastal protection measures with land reclamation through a combination of engineering and nature-based solutions while minimising potential impact to the environment and existing uses.
Working with Singaporeans to shape the plans for 'Long Island'
Plans for ‘Long Island’ present an opportunity for Singaporeans to come together to shape the future of the East Coast. As part of URA’s ongoing Draft Master Plan 2025, agencies will engage Singaporeans and stakeholders, including nature and recreational interest groups, businesses and the local community, to discuss ideas and feedback on the plans for ‘Long Island’, starting from 2024 while technical studies are being carried out.
These efforts will build on the engagements by URA during the Long-Term Plan Review from 2021 to 2022, and by PUB during the Our Coastal Conversations (OCC) with various stakeholders which has been ongoing since 2022.
Upcoming series of engagements and exhibitions
The conceptual plans for Long Island were exhibited as part of the URA's Urban Lab exhibition ‘Shaping a Heat Resilient City’, held at The URA Centre Atrium from 17 November 2023 to 1 March 2024.
We are currently seeking initial feedback, broad ideas and suggestions for ‘Long Island’. We have commenced discussions with stakeholders, and will continue to consult Singaporeans widely to shape the plans for ‘Long Island’. Here’s what some of you have shared with us so far:
“’Designed for Singaporeans with public spaces for everyone to enjoy!”
"Good testbed for new models of living spaces.”
Opportunity to “create a world-class destination (& host international sports competitions)”, “celebrate the old and the new”, and “create a variety of spaces for everyone!”
“I hope the kampung spirit will still be alive at ‘Long Island’!”
More in-depth engagements and discussions will take place after the key information is gathered from the technical studies in the coming years. The ideas and feedback from these conversations, together with findings from the technical studies, will be reviewed thoroughly and will guide the development of a shared vision and detailed plans for ‘Long Island’.
Sign up for our public engagement sessions here and submit their feedback here.
Channel NewAsia 28 Nov 2023
SINGAPORE: Singapore is starting technical studies for a decades-long project to integrate coastal protection measures with future reclamation plans on its east coast.
The "Long Island" concept could involve around 800ha of reclaimed land - nearly the size of 1,142 football fields - and potentially provide more opportunities for waterfront living and jobs.
The reclaimed island, situated at East Coast Park's shoreline, would be about twice the land area of Marina Bay, and would create an enclosed waterbody in front of East Coast Park, transforming it into a freshwater reservoir.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced the start of technical studies into the concept during a site-enhancement event at East Coast Park on Tuesday (Nov 28), where he planted a tree to kickstart a new 15km nature trail across the park.
He spoke about the need for coastal protection measures in low-lying Singapore.
"The concept of Long Island is to project coastal protection seawards, by reclaiming three new tracts of land, at a higher level, away from the current coastline. This will allow us to retain the existing East Coast Park, largely as it is," said Mr Lee, noting that people wanted to retain the unimpeded access to the waterfront.
The minister said Long Island would create opportunities for future generations of Singaporeans.
"They could build homes, create jobs, develop services and amenities that they need, and add around 20km of new coastal and reservoir parks, extending from the current East Coast Park. This will triple the length of the existing waterfront area along East Coast Park today."
Studies have projected a rise in mean sea level of up to 1m by 2100. Combined with the possible high tides and storm surges, the sea level could rise by 4m to 5m, threatening Singapore's shorelines.
Since 2021, Singapore has progressively conducted site-specific studies for different segments of its coastline. In September, it launched its first research centre dedicated to strengthening local capabilities and expertise in coastal protection and flood management.
Around one-third of Singapore is less than 5m above mean sea level including East Coast Park, a recreational area around the size of 180ha which sees 7.5 million visits annually, according to the National Parks Board.
The effects of high sea levels at the park - Singapore's largest park with a span of about 13km - are already being felt. In 2018 and in January this year, swathes of the park were flooded due to rain and high tide.
The authorities had studied the possibility of a 3m-high sea wall along the entire waterfront of East Coast Park, from Marina East to Tanah Merah.
These would be accompanied by 12 tidal gates and pumping stations along each of the existing outlet drains to keep the sea out and to pump rainwater out when heavy rain coincides with high tide.
Given the current use of East Coast Park for recreational activities, however, these measures would limit the current access to the beach and cause disruption to park users during constructions, noted Mr Lee.
The number of tidal gates and pumping stations needed would come at the expense of a substantial portion of existing park space - around 15 football fields if the 12 tidal gates and pumping stations were installed, said Mr Lee.
"In essence, this approach means that we implement coastal protection along the existing East Coast Park, but lose significant portions of the park and recreational use of the coastline," said the minister.
The authorities settled on Long Island as a more optimal solution. The idea was raised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the National Day Rally in 2019, and showcased at the Urban Redevelopment Authority's long-term plan review exhibition last year.
Long Island would be reclaimed at a higher level to protect against sea level rise. The island would also create an enclosed waterbody, "preserving the waterfront character of the original East Coast Park", said Mr Lee.
The new freshwater reservoir would increase water supply and would also reduce the number of tidal gates and pumping stations to two for flood management in the East Coast area.
Apart from coastal protection measures, the reclaimed island could host additional recreational facilities, such as canoeing and dragon-boating on the reservoir.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said in a Facebook post after the announcement that the authorities had gathered views and suggestions through PUB-led dialogue Our Coastal Conversation before deciding on Long Island.
She added that the government has received innovative proposals from students through PUB’s ‘Living with the Rising Seas’ ideas competition earlier this year, which will be considered for Long Island.
The new island would add around 20km of new coastal and reservoir parks to the existing East Coast Park.
The government will be carrying out technical studies over the next five years to explore the feasibility of Long Island, said Mr Lee.
The studies, to begin in 2024, involve extensive environmental and engineering studies to see if the conceptual reclamation profile is feasible, and for the authorities to formulate innovative and cost-effective nature-based solutions.
At the same time, the authorities will also be engaging the public, such as nature and recreational interest groups and businesses in plans for Long Island.
After technical studies are completed, the authorities will engage the public on the design and masterplan for Long Island, said Mr Lee.
Long Island to be reclaimed off East Coast could add 800ha of land, create Singapore’s 18th reservoir
Ng Keng Gene and Shabana Begum Straits Times 27 Nov 2023
SINGAPORE – Three tracts of land could be reclaimed off East Coast Park in the coming decades, creating about 800ha of land for new homes and other amenities, as well as a new reservoir.
Called the Long Island, these land tracts – collectively about twice the size of Marina Bay – are Singapore’s response to the threat of rising sea levels and inland flooding in the East Coast area. Land in the area is largely lower than 5m above the mean sea level, the extent that sea levels are projected to rise to by the end of this century if extreme high tides coincide with storm surges.
On Nov 28, National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced that public agencies will carry out technical studies for the Long Island project over five years, starting from early 2024.
Over the next few years, members of the public will be consulted for their ideas and suggestions for the project, which will take several decades to plan, design and develop.
The current plan is for three elongated tracts of land to be reclaimed in the area, extending from Marina East to Tanah Merah. The easternmost land tract will start from Tanah Merah, while the westernmost tract will be an extension of Marina East. Between these two tracts, a third tract will be reclaimed.
A large tidal gate and pumping station will be built in between each new land mass. These will control the water level in a new reservoir bordered by East Coast Park and the new land masses, and, in the process, reduce flood risks in the East Coast area.
National water agency PUB said the reclamation project is likely to create Singapore’s 18th reservoir.
Like the gate at Marina Barrage, the two gates at the new reservoir in East Coast will open to release excess storm water into the sea during heavy rain when the tide is low. At high tide, the pumps will be used instead to release the storm water.
Mr Lee said the new reservoir can also be used for water activities such as canoeing and dragon-boating.
Besides offering flood protection and increasing Singapore’s freshwater supply, the project will help meet future development and recreation needs, said Mr Lee.
Waterfront homes are expected to be built on the reclaimed land, along with amenities and industrial facilities.
About 20km of new coastal and reservoir parks could be added, tripling the length of waterfront parks in the East Coast area, he said.
Plans for reclamation off East Coast were first unveiled in 1991, as part of URA’s Concept Plan. It was envisioned then that a series of reclaimed islands would provide waterfront housing and leisure opportunities.
At the 2019 National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said reclaiming a series of islands offshore and linking them up with barrages could protect existing low-lying areas and create a freshwater reservoir.
URA showcased a possible concept for reclamation works at its long-term plan review exhibition in 2022.
In his speech on Nov 28, Mr Desmond Lee said the Government has been studying various coastal protection options, including building a sea wall up to 3m tall that would stretch from Marina East to Tanah Merah.
The wall would be accompanied by 12 sets of tidal gates and pumping stations – one set at each of the 12 existing outlet drains along East Coast. The gates would stop seawater from flowing inland during high tides, while the pumping stations would pump storm water from the drains into the sea when the gates are closed.
Mr Lee said that this option is technically feasible, but not ideal for East Coast Park as large stretches of the park will have to be closed to the public when building the seawall. When completed, it will permanently limit park users’ access to the waterfront for recreation and sports.
The 12 tidal gates and pumping stations would take up a lot of space within East Coast Park – about the area of 15 football fields – resulting in the loss of existing greenery and recreational facilities.
Mr Lee noted that members of the public hope to retain unimpeded access to the waterfront, as well as preserve the heritage and recreation spaces along the coast.
A more optimal solution is to integrate coastal protection measures with reclamation plans for the area, he added.
More information on the Long Island project is available at https://go.gov.sg/Long-Island
Crucial to minimise inevitable harm to marine environment if Long Island reclamation project proceeds: Experts
The decades-long project off East Coast Park could involve the reclamation of around 800ha of land – twice the size of the downtown Marina Bay area. Louisa Tang Channel NewsAsia 1 Dec 2023Crucial to minimise inevitable harm to marine environment if Long Island reclamation project proceeds: Experts
SINGAPORE: With decades of reclamation works having previously devastated marine life along Singapore's eastern coast, environmental experts told CNA it is crucial to make certain that construction on the “Long Island” reclaimed site would not significantly impact sensitive marine habitats like coral reefs.
Experts also stressed the need for the government to engage nature researchers, non-governmental organisations and the public from an early stage in order to protect biodiversity and prevent loss of habitat at East Coast Park, as well as the nearby Southern Islands.
This comes after Singapore on Tuesday (Nov 28) announced plans to begin technical studies for the decades-long project off East Coast Park which could reclaim around 800ha of land – twice the size of the downtown Marina Bay area.
The studies, to begin in 2024, will involve extensive environmental and engineering studies to see if the conceptual reclamation profile is feasible, and for the authorities to formulate innovative and cost-effective nature-based solutions.
The Long Island plan is meant to protect the current coastal zone and inland areas at East Coast from being inundated by seawater in the future.
Studies have projected a rise in mean sea level of up to 1m by 2100. Combined with possible high tides and storm surges, sea levels could rise by 4m to 5m, threatening low-lying Singapore's shorelines.
The effects of high sea levels at East Coast Park – Singapore's largest park with a span of about 13km – are already being felt. In 2018 and in January this year, swathes of the park were flooded due to rain and high tide.
POTENTIAL IMPACT The process of reclaiming land from sea “would certainly lead to the decline of marine species living in the sea and potentially habitats around it”, said Associate Professor Huang Danwei from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
For example, half of coastal wetlands in China have been lost to land reclamation.
The deputy head of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, whose research interests include coral reef ecology and conversation, cautioned that Singapore needs to strike a balance between coastal protection and marine life protection.
“Certainly, lives, livelihoods and properties are at stake, but terrestrial and coastal ecosystems that may be affected by the seawater inundation in the next few decades could also be impacted,” added Assoc Prof Huang.
“These should be balanced by the potential impact on sea life directly at the areas of reclamation and also marine ecosystems adjacent to these areas.”
Land can be reclaimed by adding material such as rocks, soil, and cement to an area of water. It can also be achieved by draining submerged wetlands or similar biomes.
Nature Society (Singapore)'s chairman Stephen Beng concurred that reclamation works on Long Island will "most definitely" disrupt ecosystems and lead to a loss of habitat and biodiversity.
He noted that Singapore lost 60 per cent of its coral reefs, which “support a greater diversity of life than any place on earth”, over the past few decades due to reclamation and development works.
A vast majority of these reclamation works have happened along the eastern coast, such as the East Coast Reclamation Scheme that was launched in 1966. It was completed 20 years later with a total of 1,525ha of land reclaimed.
With the Long Island project slated to be a similarly decades-long one, more sediment and pollutants could end up in the waters. This could smother corals and seagrasses and impact the Southern Islands, which is home to most of Singapore's remaining coral reefs, said Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director of St John's Island National Marine Laboratory.
Aside from the past loss of coral reefs, she noted that reefs in Singapore already exist "in marginal conditions where light penetration is limited".
"I'm worried that if the land reclamation works are not managed properly, we may see our reefs having to endure even lower light conditions for decades to come, and further truncation of our reefs to even shallower vertical distribution," Dr Jani added.
NUS biological scientist N Sivasothi also pointed out that the Long Island project will eliminate existing marine habitats, given the plans to create an enclosed waterbody – eventually, a freshwater reservoir – in front of East Coast Park.
Nevertheless, he said these marine communities are not as mature as those on Chek Jawa Wetlands or Pulau Ubin.
Mr Beng, who is also chairperson of the Friends of the Marine Park ground-led initiative, added: “We’ve … seen that life on our reefs and shores does return when given a chance, though some changes and losses cannot be reversed such as predator-prey relationships, invasive species, resource competition.
“Our remaining reefs and living shores could disappear within a generation under the threats of climate change and coastal development."
DESIGN WITH NATURE FIRST IN MIND The experts championed the idea of designing structures at Long Island with a nature-first approach, including artificial reef structures that can beef up coastal defence and biodiversity protection.
Mr Beng further suggested providing sufficient depth for mangroves, slopes of reefs, and allowing the natural accumulation of sediment for sandy beaches and rocky shores.
Professor Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, also pointed to "working with nature" concepts where developments are designed based on natural principles that mimic nature.
Marine forces – such as waves and tides – should be used to maintain high-quality developments like artificial beaches, lagoons, wetlands and mangroves, rather than being viewed as something to protect against during extreme events, he added.
"Coastal environments are transient, continuously reshaped by the natural forces of waves, tides, surges, erosion and deposition. To be sustainable, the Long Island developments must be designed and implemented with a clear understanding and respect for local natural processes," Prof Horton noted.
Mr Beng cautioned that Singapore must not "become comfortable with the ability to reclaim and restore", despite coming far to include conservation considerations in development plans.
Time must be given between work phases for the environment to recover, and the government must also continuously monitor environmental and social impacts over a wider area, he said.
This is especially because the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park – part of the Southern Islands – will be exposed to much of the risks during reclamation and construction works, and may also face changes in water quality and flow.
“Nature is most resilient to disturbances when it’s left natural,” Mr Beng noted.
“If climate adaptation and future development comes at a greater cost to nature, then that could also mean an unrecoverable expense for all of us.”
Whether or not Singapore's environment will benefit from having another island, where flora and fauna can flourish, is up in the air for now.
Assoc Prof Huang said a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is needed to determine the biodiversity costs.
He added: "An artificially created land area with additional coastal space is not the same as natural ecosystems that have been around for thousands of years in terms of biodiversity and their natural functions and services, even if the island might be designed to host biodiversity with an abundance of greening efforts."
"URGENT RESPONSIBILITY" TO ADDRESS SEA LEVEL RISE Mr Sivasothi pointed out some key differences in the preparations and design for the Long Island project compared to reclamation works from decades ago.
For example, there is a desire to integrate relevant terrestrial and marine nature areas with the project. Much more is also known about the restoration ecology of terrestrial and marine environments from both local and global studies, which means Singapore can “ensure the facilitated establishment of nature areas unlike before”, added Mr Sivasothi.
He also spoke of being heartened to see during a recent engagement that the push to protect and integrate biodiversity in the Long Island project not only came from members of nature groups, but from many other participants.
“The responsibility to address sea level rise is a critical and urgent responsibility of this time,” Mr Sivasothi pointed out.
“An island state like Singapore with high population density and no hinterland is much more vulnerable than most other countries, and global action to address global warming deadlines is always behind schedule. So, it is welcome that we initiate plans to prepare the country.”
Prof Horton said that land reclamation can be done safely and with minimal – even positive – impact through appropriate site selection, master planning and support studies.
"It is also key to engage with stakeholders to get their views, concerns and expectations. Creating Long Island will take time," he added.
Unlimited sea access, affordable housing among S’poreans’ wishes for upcoming Long Island
East Coast Park is currently the largest public access point to the sea
Ng Keng Gene Straits Times 28 May 2024
SINGAPORE – Continued unlimited access to the sea, affordable housing and educational opportunities centred on coastal habitats are among the ideas and suggestions that Singaporeans have given at engagements on the Long Island reclamation project to be developed off East Coast.
Since the start of 2024, public agencies have held engagement sessions on plans for the project, which will help to meet several needs, such as coastal protection, flood resilience and boosting Singapore’s freshwater supply.
Technical studies, including environmental impact assessments, engineering studies and soil investigation works, will begin later in 2024 and last about five years, ahead of the development of the project, which is slated to yield about 800ha of land.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that between November 2023 and May 2024, agencies received more than 500 submissions via online public feedback channels, such as the URA website and by e-mail.
In addition, six engagement sessions have been held as at mid-May, involving East Coast residents and businesses, East Coast Park users, nature groups, sports and recreational groups, as well as members of the public.
National Development Minister Desmond Lee on May 14 hosted the sixth such engagement, which was the first to be opened to the public.
Temasek Junior College student Justin Goh, 18, was among the 60 participants at the session held at The URA Centre in Maxwell Road.
He said that among the ideas he raised was how to develop or reclaim Long Island – current conceptual plans show that it will comprise three land tracts – in a manner that is environmentally sustainable.
Citing studies that used ash mined from Semakau Landfill for Tuas Port’s reclamation, Mr Goh suggested that a similar approach be taken for Long Island, to minimise the environmental impact from the extraction of sand – the conventional fill used in reclamation.
Mr Goh also suggested that coastal habitats, such as tide pools, brackish water and mangrove habitats could be formed on the new island, which could give future users direct contact with nature, and serve educational purposes.
Echoing Mr Goh’s sentiments was Ms Izavel Lee, who represented environmental group LepakInSG at the May 14 engagement.
She was primarily concerned about Long Island’s impact on biodiversity – especially during its construction phase – and hopes that the environmental studies would thoroughly document and suggest mitigating measures to protect marine life, such as seagrass patches and corals near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
Besides minimising species loss, Ms Lee hopes the authorities will look into designing Long Island such that marine life can return and recover in the area over time, after the new land is established.
URA said that through the upcoming technical studies, agencies will explore combining engineering and nature-based solutions to develop innovative designs that will “better integrate coastal protection measures with land reclamation”.
Mr Goh said other attendees at the May 14 engagement raised issues such as accessibility between Long Island and the mainland, as well as between the island’s land tracts.
Also on participants’ minds, he added, was the hope that the decision-making processes on Long Island would be transparent, and continue to be open for citizen participation.
Singapore Sailing Federation chief executive Leslie Tan, who attended an engagement session in February, said he was most concerned that access to the sea would be limited when Long Island is developed, adding that losing access “would be devastating” for the sea sports community.
Mr Tan noted that free and open access to the sea is now challenging, with only about 10 per cent of the shoreline allowing sea access – East Coast Park being the largest such opening.
Mr Tan said the waters off East Coast provide the safest conditions in Singapore for a full range of sea sports, and accommodate those of all abilities, from beginners to world-class athletes.
He added that the area is where various regattas, events and races – about 50 yearly, including activities such as sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, and triathlons – are held, which are “important for developing a vibrant, active and healthy nation”.
He said the federation is discussing with the authorities how access to the sea might continue when the construction of Long Island eventually starts.
Addressing participants at the engagement session on May 14, Mr Lee noted that the Long Island projects will take decades to be completed, adding that the Government will work with various groups at each stage of planning, and that “the process is as important and as impactful as the final outcome”.
“With each stage, we are going to create something and we have to decide what to do with the piece of land that we start to develop,” he said, noting that not all of it has to be for economic gain, and that the exact use of the land can be discussed, or even left “to the future generation to decide what they want to use this land for”.
But referencing rising sea levels, Mr Lee emphasised that the Long Island project is primarily an issue of coastal protection, and not reclamation for the sake of creating land for more opportunities.
“By the end of this century, we had better get this up, because that element of national security is not for compromise, is not negotiable, for the sake of our continued existence,” he said.
Ensure Long Island project doesn’t harm marine life at East Coast, Southern Islands: Experts
Experts say measures to protect sensitive marine habitats need to happen from day one.
Shabana Begum Straits Times Updated Nov 29, 2023, 12:24 AM
SINGAPORE - Measures to protect sensitive marine habitats in East Coast need to happen from day one, say experts, to minimise the impact of the future Long Island project on sea life, which has made a comeback from a previous reclamation.
The Long Island construction not only risks disturbing turtles, corals and seagrass at East Coast Park, but may also affect the rich marine life of the Southern Islands, which are less than 10km away from the mainland, they noted.
From early 2024, government agencies will embark on extensive environmental and engineering studies for the future Long Island development off East Coast Park. Plans for the development include three masses of reclaimed land covering around 800ha, with a reservoir in between.
This massive project will take several decades to plan, design and build, and will be the East Coast area’s defence against sea level rise and inland flooding, while meeting future land use needs and water supply.
The westernmost tract of land will extend from Marina East, while the easternmost tract will extend from Tanah Merah.
“I feel the Long Island development is relevant to Singapore’s needs, as the planning investigates multifunctional optimisation of the land and seascape changes, including protection against sea-level rise,” said Emeritus Professor Chou Loke Ming from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biological Sciences.
Prof Chou – alongside other marine biodiversity experts including Mr Lester Tan, chairman of the Marine Conservation Group at Nature Society (Singapore) – stressed that the seaward part of the Long Island should incorporate eco-engineering and nature-based solutions, so that the future land masses can be conducive for marine creatures’ relocation or return after the reclamation.
“Nature-based solutions will be best to compensate for the loss of marine life from the Long Island footprint. If tidal conditions require armoured protection such as sea walls, then design it to incorporate large tidal pools, bays or lagoons that can enhance marine biodiversity.”
The experts also suggested planting mangroves and building artificial coral reefs, which can serve as living breakwaters and armour against storm surges and rising sea levels.
The last major reclamation in the south-east between the 1960s and 1980s – which gave rise to Marine Parade and East Coast Park – wiped out much of the teeming intertidal habitats and marine life there. But in recent decades, nature has made a comeback along the artificial shoreline.
Corals have recolonised man-made sea walls along the coast and at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, which also has some seagrass patches nearby.
The shore between the National Service Resort and Country Club near Tanah Merah and the National Sailing Centre is known to be a nesting hot spot for critically endangered hawksbill turtles and the coastal horseshoe crab, said Mr Tan.
Hawksbill turtle hatchlings making their way towards the sea at East Coast Park on July 17, 2023.
A rock wall habitat at Marina East Drive comprising a sandy beach and an intertidal area is a refuge for nesting Malaysian plovers – a locally critically endangered bird – and migratory shorebirds, he added.
“All these will be, unfortunately, habitats that we may lose with the Long Island construction,” he said.
Reclamation has already claimed about 60 per cent of Singapore’s original coral reefs. With habitat change from seawater to freshwater when the reservoir is built, water movement will also change.
Even if biodiversity-rich sites are avoided during reclamation, seagrass and corals – home to a host of marine creatures – are very sensitive to sedimentation, noted Mr Muhammad Nasry, executive director of environment group Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity.
“Sand dumping makes the water cloudy, which limits light penetration and can significantly impact the survival of organisms that depend on photosynthesis,” he added.
As part of the five-year environmental and engineering studies, innovative and cost-effective nature-based solutions will be explored for the Long Island.
Another biodiversity hot spot that could be affected is the Southern Islands – home to the largest diversity of marine life in Singapore and its remaining healthy reefs.
Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director at St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, said sediment plumes and other pollutants spilling over from works could impact the Southern Islands, including the Republic’s only marine park – Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.
Sisters’ Islands Marine Park is the Republic’s only marine park.
Apart from standard environmental mitigation measures such as using sediment curtains to control pollution and accounting for the changes to water movement due to construction, Dr Jani hopes that construction timelines can work around periods that are more sensitive for marine life, such as during a marine heatwave or a coral spawning season.
Coral larvae formed in the southern waters float around the entire southern coast, so any changes in hydrology may affect where the larvae can settle and colonise, said Mr Ho Xiang Tian, co-founder of environmental group LepakInSG.
The authorities have also been eyeing the southern waters to set up fish farms in the future, which, if not managed well, can also add pressure to the marine environment.
Noting this, Dr Jani pointed out that there must be a whole-of-government approach in managing not just land use but the seascape as well.
Make public sand sourcing framework for proposed Long Island reclamation: MPs
Cheryl Tan Straits Times Updated Jan 09, 2024, 10:23 PM
SINGAPORE – Sand importation was at the centre of a parliamentary debate on Jan 9 on the environmental impact of a major reclamation project off the East Coast area called Long Island, with MPs asking questions ranging from whether there is a responsible sand sourcing framework, to how checks for unethical practices are done.
Six MPs queried the Government about the Long Island project, including the environmental impact of reclaiming 800ha of land off East Coast and how it would source for sand needed for reclamation.
The project is the Republic’s response to the threat of rising sea levels and inland flooding in the East Coast area. It will collectively be twice the size of Marina Bay, and could house new homes and other amenities like a new reservoir.
Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) asked where the sand would come from and if the Government would publish a list of source countries for sand.
Associate Professor Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) asked for details of Singapore’s sand procurement framework and whether the project would take into account the social and ecological impact of sand-dredging works.
In response, National Development Minister Desmond Lee said: “The import of reclamation sand to Singapore is conducted on a commercial basis, and sand is imported from a variety of sources.”
Importers are expected to abide by the laws and regulations of the source countries, Mr Lee said. These include sourcing sand from legally permissible areas, obtaining proper export documentation and permits from the relevant authorities, as well as complying with regulations governing extraction and transportation in the source countries.
Where applicable, government agencies will check that the necessary environmental-related approvals from the source countries are obtained before allowing contractors to commence sand imports, said Mr Lee.
Mr Lee said the quantity of sand imports for Long Island “is far into the future” and will be developed with technical studies and further implementation plans. A multi-year study will also be conducted to look into the impact of Long Island on its surroundings and the environment.
Sand exports to Singapore were reportedly banned in Indonesia in 2007, and in Malaysia in 2018. It was only in 2023 that Indonesia lifted its ban on sea sand exports.
Ms He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) asked how often checks are done by government agencies, and what the “triggers” behind these checks are.
Mr Lee said requirements to comply with the regulations of the source countries are spelt out in tender documents. Government agencies also spell out the minimum standards expected of tenderers in tender documents, and will look out for a sense of non-compliance with any contractual and regulatory obligations from a variety of sources.
Mr Ng said: “The call is for our own responsible sourcing framework, and for this to be made public as well so we are assured that they (sand importers) understand effective social and environmental conditions in other countries.”
ST has asked the Ministry of National Development if the Republic’s sand procurement framework is currently made public, and which countries Singapore imports sand from for its projects.
Public agencies will carry out technical studies for the Long Island project over five years, starting from early 2024.
The public will also be consulted for their ideas and suggestions for the project, which will take several decades to plan, design and develop.
Mr Lee reiterated that detailed environmental studies will be conducted to assess environmental impacts and develop appropriate mitigation measures.
“These studies will take into account surrounding marine habitats, including inter-tidal flats and coral communities,” he added.
The ministry is also studying ways to incorporate nature-based solutions into the design of Long Island to minimise the environmental impact of the reclamation works.
The current plan is for three elongated tracts of land to be reclaimed in the area, extending from Marina East to Tanah Merah. The easternmost land tract will start from Tanah Merah, while the westernmost tract will be an extension of Marina East. Between these two tracts, a third tract will be reclaimed.
Mr Lee said that at a later stage, government agencies will carry out further studies to ensure the area is well developed with quality housing, a network of green spaces integrated with East Coast Park and good transport connectivity.
