Reclaimed ‘Long Island’ off East Coast could be about twice the size of Marina Bay: Desmond Lee
The idea of Long Island would certainly “project coastal projection seawards”, permitting the existing East Coast Park to be retained mainly in its current state, Minister Lee states. It will in addition develop an enclosed waterbody, which will become a freshwater basin over time, contributing to Singapore’s supply of water while also being a place the public can make use of for water functions.
The recommended Long Island will certainly integrate coastal safety measures with future reclamation plans for the place, in view of the long-term effect of climate difference which includes rising sea levels. “Mean sea levels around Singapore are projected to increase by approximately 1m by the end of this century. When high tides coincide with storm rises, water level could increase by as much as 4 to 5m above mean sea level. This is a very considerable concern, since about one-third of our island is beneath 5m over mean sea level, and in danger of being flooded by the sea,” Minister Lee details.
Speaking at a housing improvement event at East Coast Park hung on Nov 28, Minister Lee indicates that the project would create prospects for future ages of Singapore. “They can build homes, produce jobs, establish services and facilities that they require, and include around 20 kilometres of new seaside and reservoir parks, stretching from the current East Coast Park,” he includes.
” It is strongly likely that the allotment for common housing will be more than nonpublic housing on Long Island,” Huttons’ Lee claims, adding that the HDB flats will very likely be released either under the Prime or Plus model.
Close to 800ha throughout 3 tracts of land can possibly be redeemed off East Coast Park in future years, presenting location for new homes and facilities. Called “Long Island”, the land would be approximately two times the measurements of Marina Bay, says Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration.
He continues: “The chances of producing a 2nd Sentosa are poor as the state intends to produce a comprehensive society allowing every person availability to good homes and not just for the rich.” He even views that the project will prompt further investment right into transport connectivity, with the possibility for an MRT or LRT expansion to spread from the Thomson-East Coast Line to Long Island.
Lee Sze Teck, senior supervisor of information analytics at Huttons Asia, estimates that at 800ha, Long Island would certainly be quite similar in dimension to the Kallang-Whampoa estate and might possibly place in between 30,000 and 60,000 all new homes with a great mix of business, recreation and environment-friendly components.
Technical researches will definitely be carried out to analyze the workability of the project, with the research studies expected to take around five years. At the same time, residents and stakeholders will most likely be engaged to give feedback and ideas on the plan. Given the scale of the property development, full preparation and execution of Long Island “will take several years”, Minister Lee claims.
Regardless, the future property developments on Long Island will likely work for present nonpublic projects along the East Coast, most of which are freehold, Huttons’ Lee concludes. “It may perhaps even increase the potential for en-bloc down the road.”
