Petition to Conserve the Changi Beach Area and Reconsider Land Reclamation Plans

To: Housing & Development Board / Ministry of National Development

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are writing this open letter to express our deep concern regarding the proposed reclamation works off the Changi Beach area. 

As residents, nature enthusiasts, and members of the wider community who value Singapore’s natural heritage, we urge the HDB to scale-back these plans in light of the irreplaceable value of intertidal biodiversity and the current opportunities for public engagement with nature at Changi Beach. 

1. The irreplaceable value of intertidal biodiversity and the opportunities for Public Education and Engagement with Nature at Changi Beach 

Changi is one of the last accessible places where people can experience the rich biodiversity of our shores — through intertidal explorations, beach cleanups, citizen science efforts, and other recreational and cultural uses. 

Changi Beach is bursting with marine life—from the scrambling of hermit crabs to the camouflage of seahorses, from the fluorescence of carpet anemones to the graceful regeneration of sea stars. For instance, as recently as 2023, the tiger anemone on Changi Beach was confirmed to be a new species after a decade’s research and strong citizen science involvement in its discovery. 

Yet these habitats are also some of the most sensitive ecosystems, particularly seagrass meadows near Changi Beach Park, Changi Golf Club, and Chek Jawa Wetlands, which are expected to suffer, even under the best mitigation measures:

• Ecosystems will become highly vulnerable to suspended sediment stirred up during reclamation, which blocks sunlight and hinders seagrass growth—causing ripple effects across the food web.
• Debby Ng, a doctoral candidate at the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions shared that sediment plumes stirred up by machinery during the reclamation process could smother or bury nearby seagrass.
• Research Assistant Professor Stephen Chua, a sediment and sea level expert at NTU’s Earth Observatory of Singapore, stated that reclamation could increase water circulation and flow speeds, introducing even more sediment, and thus harming intertidal and coastal organisms and biodiversity not just near Changi, but as far as the Southern Islands.

If we lose these intertidal zones to reclamation, we would not only be losing irreplaceable local marine biodiversity.

We also stand to lose public classrooms for current and future generations of residents in Singapore. We would lose vibrant sites of memory, vital opportunities for public learning, and opportunities to nurture stewardship of Singapore’s natural heritage through citizen science efforts, intertidal walks, beach cleanup efforts, and more. 

Nature exploration helps build empathy, curiosity, and stewardship. Especially during the COVID-19 years, many of us living in Singapore turned to outdoor places like Changi Beach to reconnect with ourselves and with the natural world. These small and fragmented environments offer rare and irreplaceable opportunities for people in Singapore to reestablish relationships with the sea. 

We should be protecting, conserving, and educating the public about our remaining precious ecosystems by ensuring their continued, open and public access — not dismantling them.

2. Concerns About the Use of Non-Disclosure Agreements in Environmental Assessments

In addition, we are concerned that the process surrounding the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Changi Beach reclamation is being undermined by the requirement of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). 

While we understand that certain sensitive information—such as details related to national security—may warrant restricted access, the blanket NDA limits public and media participation in the consultation process. This approach runs counter to the core purpose of environmental assessments: to incorporate diverse views and meaningfully protect natural heritage through public input.

Legal experts such as Ms. Kala Anandarajah, head of competition, antitrust and trade practice at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, has pointed out that confidentiality agreements legally prevent any sharing or discussion of the EIA content. Such restrictions mean that members of the public, researchers, journalists, and civil society cannot freely analyse or disseminate information, even if that information does not pertain to state secrets. According to Ms. Anandarajah, this creates a chilling effect, dissuading meaningful engagement and potentially exposing individuals to legal liability for fulfilling their civic duty.

Among the 11 environmental assessments conducted in the first half of this year, three required NDAs. We echo the calls from legal scholars and environmental advocates who have urged the government to establish clear guidelines around what environmental information can justifiably be kept confidential.

We strongly urge the Housing & Development Board and relevant agencies to revisit this practice and prioritize public access to non-sensitive information, so that environmental consultations are inclusive, informed, and participatory.

Our Calls to Action:

We understand that HDB is the implementing agency carrying out land reclamation works, and HDB will consider public feedback before seeking final approval from the Government.

We respectfully call on the Housing & Development Board to:

1. Further scale-back reclamation works, thus further preserving and protecting Changi Beach as a site for public education, recreation, and local biodiversity appreciation
2. Revisit and review the practice of using confidentiality agreements and prioritise public access to non-sensitive information, so that environmental consultations are inclusive, informed, and genuinely participatory.

In conclusion, we sincerely hope you will consider these points and demonstrate the leadership needed to protect our shared natural heritage.

Thank you for your attention and for the opportunity to provide feedback.

Sincerely,

Neo Xiaoyun & Julian Paul Lee

On behalf of concerned residents, nature enthusiasts, and members of the wider community who value Singapore’s natural heritage

Articles Cited:

1. 蔡玮谦. 2025. "说法识法：环评不应纸上谈兵 保密也别牺牲民意." Accessed 13 July 2025. https://zb.sg/g/8QKG (联合早报)

2. Ang, Qing. 2023. "Tiger anemone found in Singapore confirmed to be new species after decade’s research." Accessed 14 July 2025. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/tiger-anemone-found-in-singapore-confirmed-to-be-new-species-after-decade-s-research 

3. Ang, Qing, 2025. "193ha of land off Changi to be reclaimed for aviation park; area reduced to save seagrass meadow." Accessed 13 July 2025. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/193ha-of-land-off-changi-to-be-reclaimed-for-aviation-park-area-reduced-to-save-seagrass-meadow