Public engagement session 30 July. Requesting agency stakeholder for sustainability & environment
Division MP today confirmed a public engagement session on 30 July 7:30PM at Telok Blangah CC.
Prior registration is mandatory: https://go.gov.sg/gbd2026
In my opinion, it would be remiss to exclude MSE (Ministry of Sustainability and Environment) and I have written to MP Rachel Ong about this. Gillman is part of the Southern Ridges; and new housing is planned up to the edge of an existing nature reserve. See image above. Gillman used to be a 'Reserve Site' before it was rezoned for 'Residential' use in the URA Masterplan 2025.
There are multiple forests marked for development, all happening now: Sembawang, Maju, Gillman Forests, Serangoon River Forest, and another Tengah site. Currently all engagements are led by HDB URA whose mandates are housing and urban redevelopment. NParks manages biodiversity flora/fauna conservation BUT not sustainability or climate change resilience such as urban heating, air quality, windbreaks etc. Such parameters were excluded from the EIA environmental study too.
There is a critical agency stakeholder missing in the upcoming engagement, one that oversees environmental impacts beyond flora/fauna conservation such as liveability, sustainability, climate change and microclimate.
Gillman housing plans involve clearing 4 forested areas: ① on the high ridgeline of the Southern Ridges. ②③ currently form a contiguous forest with the existing nature reserve. ④ connects with ① with an elevated Canopy walkway running through.
This really isn't an ordinary land parcel. The high ecological and heritage values warrant a nationwide discourse. In my email to the MP, I have also made a second request to consider allowing citizens/residents from across Singapore to attend the session. Currently the session is only open to residents of the TB Division: Depot, Dover, Pasir Panjang East and Telok Blangah.
👉 Write to your MP
👉 Register early for the engagement session!
Also read: ST article reports just 8 hectares earmarked as green spaces in the Gillman redevelopment. EIA gov environmental survey reported existing green spaces at a total of ~32 hectares (forests 21.8ha, other greenery/scrubland 10ha, and a forest stream).