JTC to reclaim about 49ha of land off Lorong Halus to meet future demand
[SINGAPORE] About 49ha of land will be reclaimed in the waters off Lorong Halus in Pasir Ris by industrial developer JTC to meet future needs, including for industrial use, The Straits Times has learnt.
Creation of the plot – roughly the size of 11 Padang fields – is expected to affect visitors to the Pasir Ris and Lorong Halus jetties, with a small impact on nearby seagrass and mangrove patches, according to an environmental impact assessment that ST viewed in March.
The jetties, which currently serve fish farms in Pasir Ris and the East Johor Strait, will be replaced by two new ones for marine access and operations, JTC said on Friday (May 16) in response to ST's queries.
It said no date has been set for the reclamation, as it is reviewing the findings and recommendations of the assessment, as well as feedback from the public about the report.
'The reclamation works will only proceed after both the EIA report and development plans are finalised – there is no fixed timeline yet.
'This is to ensure all environmental considerations and planning requirements are comprehensively addressed before the commencement of works,' it added.
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The new land has been designated for industrial and special purposes in the Urban Redevelopment Authority Master Plan, which guides Singapore's development over the next 10 to 15 years.
When completed, one of the new jetties will be located along the western boundary of the site, with an access route running alongside the present shoreline connecting Pasir Ris Coast Industrial Park 6 and the new jetty.
The other jetty to replace the jetty in Pasir Ris will be built south-east of the site.
JTC said the reclamation is forecast to have a small impact on the natural connections between nearby seagrass and mangrove patches, which enable these habitats to thrive.
This is expected to be beneficial for some of these affected ecosystems, with the formation of new connections for seagrass to migrate, and stronger currents caused by the development is expected to help increase the spread of mangroves in northern and southern Pulau Ubin, it added.
The assessment had concluded that the proposed works will not result in any loss of conservation-significant flora species along the Lorong Halus and Pasir Ris coastlines.
Creation of the plot, roughly the size of 11 Padang fields, is expected to affect visitors to the Pasir Ris and Lorong Halus jetties. PHOTO: ZB FILE
The beach at Pasir Ris Park is unlikely to be affected by changes to the long-term deposition of sediments and erosion resulting from the reclamation.
JTC plans to develop and implement measures that minimise impact on wildlife and the surrounding environment.
For instance, during the construction period, noise pollution will be minimised through hoarding and noise mufflers, dust emissions will be controlled through canvas covers and water, while animals found in the site will be relocated.
JTC said: 'To enhance the biodiversity in the area, nature-based solutions will be assessed for suitable locations within the reclamation site.
'Solutions being studied include creating a gentler shoreline slope or increasing its roughness and number of crevices to encourage intertidal and marine biodiversity growth.'
Addressing the concern that the development could impact the elusive dugong, JTC said it was not seen in the area where surveys for the assessment were conducted. The marine mammal, which faces a high risk of extinction in the wild, has been recorded along the north-eastern coast of Singapore.
'Nevertheless, vessels will be required to observe speed limits within 100 metres of wildlife sightings and maintain a safe distance until the animals naturally move away from the work zone.'
JTC said reclamation works and other land-based works have been optimised to minimise land clearance where possible.
The statutory board noted that reclamation had last occurred near the site some 30 years ago, with the existing Lorong Halus coastline originally reclaimed in the 1980s, followed by reclamation of the southern coastline of Coney Island in the 1990s. THE STRAITS TIMES
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