save Gillman Barracks/Forest - build homes in GSW instead
The Issue
Gillman Barracks and Gillman Forest will soon be developed for new housing. Another megaproject Great Southern Waterfront (GSW) is only 1 km away with plenty of development planned. We believe that building new housing at Gillman is an over-development. New housing should not come at the expense Singapore's dwindling forests and unique community havens.
*NEW* Gov study reports and project's Public Feedback link are open to public for comments until 6 August 2026!
In the report maps, do note that the forest type indicated with a brown legend is still lush forest greenery (brown legend denotes a forest with less native flora, green legend denotes more native flora). Non-native dominated forest actually makes up 80-90% of Gillman Forest today.
👉 Send in your opinion via the official Gillman Barracks public feedback link before 6 August 2026.
2026 update: HDB officially announces Gillman development on 10 July 2026. Most of Gillman Forest is marked for new housing. Historical buildings and a running track is marked for development as well.
2025 update: we are in contact with MND Ministry of National Development that oversees this plan. *Additional Update - two residents attended a closed-door meeting hosted by HDB officers overseeing the Gillman Barracks redevelopment plans. Our feedbacks were acknowledged but development is expected to continue.
Do support and share this petition if you believe in preserving such spaces for current residents as well as future generations who will call Singapore home. 👉 Write to your MP 👉 Send in your opinion via the Gillman Barracks public feedback link before 6 August 2026.
5 Reasons to preserve Gillman Barracks and Gillman Forest:
1. Large amount of new housing in the pipeline at Greater Southern Waterfront (GSW) just 1 km away from Gillman. The old Keppel Club project alone will provide 9,000 new housing. And more GSW areas have been designated for residential use, the official GSW masterplan spans 30 km of Singapore's coastline.
2. Rejuvenation project was underway. $2 Million spent in 2022. SLA Singapore Land Authority announced that Gillman Barracks will become a lifestyle enclave that benefits existing communities as well as the future GSW residents: “Gillman Barracks will be transformed into a vibrant creative lifestyle enclave. Families, cyclists, hikers, arts enthusiasts, nature lovers, as well as the working community and residents in Alexandra and Telok Blangah, and future residents at the earlier announced Greater Southern Waterfront, can look forward to experience varied offerings throughout the day. ”
3. Gillman Forest is much needed respite in high-rise high-density and increasingly warmer Singapore. Data-backed evidence shows that lush green spaces directly correlates with lower cortisol levels, reduced blood pressure, and a significant drop in clinical anxiety and stress. This is not merely psychological; mature forests release antimicrobial compounds called phytoncides, which have been shown to boost human natural killer (NK) cell activity and strengthen immune systems.
4. Sports for an active and healthier SG: Telok Blangah Archery Club TBAC is the Singapore's only open field archery practice venue -- members include national archery team athletes. The proposed development has unfortunately effected their club lease renewal to be suspended since 2025. The Academy of Singapore Teachers nearby also has a running track that could be preserved as part of the lifestyle enclave.
5. The historical value of this land parcel pre-dates the British era. An archived historical map of Singapore depicts minor archaeological ruins in the hill forest next to Gillman Barracks.
Now is the time to voice your thoughts! Please sign this petition and input in comments if you want your views heard.
When the population density of this neighbourhood increases with the Greater Southern Waterfront development, the Gillman enclave will indeed be beneficial to the physical and mental health of the community.
PETITION SUMMARY: Large area of new housing is already in the pipeline from the nearby Greater Southern Waterfront, located only 1 km from Gillman. Isn't it better to continue the 2022 plan ($2 Million already spent) that preserves Gillman Barracks and the surrounding Hill Forest? We say YES and that it would be wiser and more responsible too. Such vital places are precious for current and future generations who call Singapore home.
Please share/forward this petition to anyone you know who cares...
Thank you for your time and support.
5,336
The Issue
Gillman Barracks and Gillman Forest will soon be developed for new housing. Another megaproject Great Southern Waterfront (GSW) is only 1 km away with plenty of development planned. We believe that building new housing at Gillman is an over-development. New housing should not come at the expense Singapore's dwindling forests and unique community havens.
*NEW* Gov study reports and project's Public Feedback link are open to public for comments until 6 August 2026!
In the report maps, do note that the forest type indicated with a brown legend is still lush forest greenery (brown legend denotes a forest with less native flora, green legend denotes more native flora). Non-native dominated forest actually makes up 80-90% of Gillman Forest today.
👉 Send in your opinion via the official Gillman Barracks public feedback link before 6 August 2026.
2026 update: HDB officially announces Gillman development on 10 July 2026. Most of Gillman Forest is marked for new housing. Historical buildings and a running track is marked for development as well.
2025 update: we are in contact with MND Ministry of National Development that oversees this plan. *Additional Update - two residents attended a closed-door meeting hosted by HDB officers overseeing the Gillman Barracks redevelopment plans. Our feedbacks were acknowledged but development is expected to continue.
Do support and share this petition if you believe in preserving such spaces for current residents as well as future generations who will call Singapore home. 👉 Write to your MP 👉 Send in your opinion via the Gillman Barracks public feedback link before 6 August 2026.
5 Reasons to preserve Gillman Barracks and Gillman Forest:
1. Large amount of new housing in the pipeline at Greater Southern Waterfront (GSW) just 1 km away from Gillman. The old Keppel Club project alone will provide 9,000 new housing. And more GSW areas have been designated for residential use, the official GSW masterplan spans 30 km of Singapore's coastline.
2. Rejuvenation project was underway. $2 Million spent in 2022. SLA Singapore Land Authority announced that Gillman Barracks will become a lifestyle enclave that benefits existing communities as well as the future GSW residents: “Gillman Barracks will be transformed into a vibrant creative lifestyle enclave. Families, cyclists, hikers, arts enthusiasts, nature lovers, as well as the working community and residents in Alexandra and Telok Blangah, and future residents at the earlier announced Greater Southern Waterfront, can look forward to experience varied offerings throughout the day. ”
3. Gillman Forest is much needed respite in high-rise high-density and increasingly warmer Singapore. Data-backed evidence shows that lush green spaces directly correlates with lower cortisol levels, reduced blood pressure, and a significant drop in clinical anxiety and stress. This is not merely psychological; mature forests release antimicrobial compounds called phytoncides, which have been shown to boost human natural killer (NK) cell activity and strengthen immune systems.
4. Sports for an active and healthier SG: Telok Blangah Archery Club TBAC is the Singapore's only open field archery practice venue -- members include national archery team athletes. The proposed development has unfortunately effected their club lease renewal to be suspended since 2025. The Academy of Singapore Teachers nearby also has a running track that could be preserved as part of the lifestyle enclave.
5. The historical value of this land parcel pre-dates the British era. An archived historical map of Singapore depicts minor archaeological ruins in the hill forest next to Gillman Barracks.
Now is the time to voice your thoughts! Please sign this petition and input in comments if you want your views heard.
When the population density of this neighbourhood increases with the Greater Southern Waterfront development, the Gillman enclave will indeed be beneficial to the physical and mental health of the community.
PETITION SUMMARY: Large area of new housing is already in the pipeline from the nearby Greater Southern Waterfront, located only 1 km from Gillman. Isn't it better to continue the 2022 plan ($2 Million already spent) that preserves Gillman Barracks and the surrounding Hill Forest? We say YES and that it would be wiser and more responsible too. Such vital places are precious for current and future generations who call Singapore home.
Please share/forward this petition to anyone you know who cares...
Thank you for your time and support.
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Petition created on 26 March 2024