Written reply to PQ on consideration of alternative sites before forest was cleared for Jurong Innovation District's Cleantech Park and Bahar precincts

Question:

Mr Low Wu Yang Andre: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) regarding the planned clearance of 52 hectares of forest in the Jurong Innovation District for the CleanTech Park and Bahar precincts, what alternative sites were evaluated to preserve the area’s ecological linkage; (b) why were these alternatives not selected; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider stronger mitigation beyond the proposed 14.5 hectares of retained green space.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.            The Government takes a long-term approach to land planning to support the diverse and competing needs in our land-scarce Singapore. We assess the suitability of various sites before making development decisions, taking into account a range of factors such as locational attributes and synergies with existing developments.

2.            In the case of CleanTech Park and Bahar, both precincts will be integrated with existing industrial sites at Bulim and upcoming sites at the Tengah Industrial Estate. This will support the overall development of the Jurong Innovation District (JID) as Singapore’s hub for next-generation advanced manufacturing activities including robotics, medical technology, and smart logistics. Its proximity to the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will also facilitate close industry-academia collaborations. Collectively, JID is expected to cater for some 95,000 jobs, providing good job opportunities for local residents.

3.            JTC commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the planned developments at CleanTech Park and Bahar. The EIA identified mitigation measures such as the retention of forested areas with higher ecological values, transplanting plant species of conservation significance, and implementing wildlife management, response and rescue plans. JTC reviewed these in consultation with nature groups, and will adopt these mitigation measures as much as practicable, and integrate the retained forested areas with new greenery spaces within the industrial developments. JTC will also incorporate features in JID to bring the “live, work and play” concept to life for residents in the Jurong region. For example, JTC has developed a five-hectare green sanctuary known as the Potter’s Garden in CleanTech Park to integrate green spaces, and celebrate Jurong’s pottery heritage and Singapore’s last two heritage dragon kilns.