IMPORTANT: Gillman land use rezoning in 2025 skipped Statutory Consultation?

*This compilation is made possible by the collective efforts of the people. Many thanks to everyone involved.

Apparently there was supposed to be a statutory consultation before rezoning Gillman Reserve Site for Residential use. This was brought up in Parliament and the MND minister replied across two Written Responses in Sep and Oct:

An MP specifically asked whether 'any objections were received during the statutory consultation process and how they were considered' regarding the Draft Master Plan 2025 proposal to rezone Gillman Barracks for residential use. To which the Minister's reply was somewhat of a non-answer (in my opinion).
See written answer by MND Minister

But to another MP's questions about gaps in Singapore's environmental assessment, the Minister did specifically reply that the were no objections to the rezoning of Gillman Barracks during the statutory consultation period.
See written answer by MND Minister

What statutory consultation? No objections??

Here are FACTS and TIMELINE from publicly available information online as well as official communication with gov entities.

• 2024 Feb-Mar: COS Debate
MND webpage stated 'Possible redevelopment of Gillman Barracks after 2030 for public and private housing, with public spaces and amenities'.

• 2024 Mar: Press release
Dual-topic press release announcing Yishun new housing and 'Gillman Barracks may be used for residential development'. 

• 2024 Mar-Jun: Objections/Concerns raised to gov entities
In response to the press release, there were multiple objections by members of the public from various communities eg. a club wrote to Telok Blangah CC, some citizens wrote to URA, some residents contacted the constituency MP. These communications were acknowledged by the respective gov entities.

A letter to the Editor was also published in Straits Times. 

• 2024 April: In Parliament, former MND Minister said masterplanning for the site will take place after detailed environmental and heritage studies are done. CNA video

• 2024 May: Telok Blangah MP said she presented the residents' objections at a gov multi-agency meeting.

• 2024 Jun: URA responds to wait until after EIA/HIA in two years 
In response to a resident's email: 'We seek your understanding that at this juncture, agencies do not have further details to share beyond what has been announced on 5 March 2024. This is because environmental and heritage studies, which will take place over the next two years, will need to be carried out first. Findings from the studies will help agencies to better understand the ecological and heritage significance of the site, to guide future plans for the area.'

• 2024 Sep: Residents wrote to MND and PMO citing objections and the petition

• End 2024: Tenants on Gillman land parcel start getting affected
For example, Telok Blangah Archery Club was unable to renew its lease and was asked to look for alternative venues to move to.  It seemed like the decision to develop Gillman had already been made? Eventhough various studies were underway until 2026 and the MND Minister said masterplanning of Gillman will only take place after

• Early 2025:  Petition hits 3000 and several residents continue to follow up.
Closed door meeting hosted by URA HDB with two residents in April.  Throughout the year, several residents continued communications with the gov ministries/agencies.

 

However somewhere between then and now...

Gillman parcel was rezoned under URA Master Plan 2025 nevertheless.

Several members of the public attended the Draft Masterplan exhibition that was held Jun to Nov 2025; and can testify that there was no information about the Gillman project plans or mention about its rezoning –  unlike other new developments which had information blurbs and Feedback QR code. I personally double checked this against a photo of the Great Southern Waterfront exhibition booth.

Is there a procedural error here??

How did Gillman go from a possibility... to a definitive decision midway? MND themselves said masterplanning for the site will take place after detailed environmental and heritage studies have been done

But this wasn't the case.

Rezoning of Gillman was decided in 2025 before the studies were completed in 2026. This is on top of the fact that Singapore's current EIA framework excludes climate change resilience such as urban heat, rainfall management, flood risk etc.

Moreover even in end-2024 before the rezoning in question,  short term lease could not be renewed anymore.

ACTION: Request for an investigation?
Halt deforestation / construction plans until the investigation is done.
👉 Please consider emailing PMO
👉 and your MP whichever constituency you might be! Because fixing a broken process affects all future developments across SG

In light of all this, could the people request that the government halts the Gillman development and reverse the rezoning of the site. As I am typing this, I know it sounds like a BIG ask – however there are clear gaps in the process and sequence of events. This is a legitimate concern and absolutely should and must be addressed, shouldn't it? Singapore prides itself on doing things above board, the right way, for the greater good of its people.

We cannot lose a precious enclave like Gillman Barracks and its surrounding forest to procedural errors.

Even if development proceeds in the end, it could be a difference between a full residential footprint (like the 2025 rezoning decision) or a MIXED land use site of community haven, new housing, and commercial/lifestyle enclave with preserved forest. Beyond economic growth, what does a successful Singapore look like?

Thank You as always. 

We couldn't have come this far without your support! Last month, a group of residents stepped up and submitted an alternative 'A Better Plan' proposal that achieves both goals: planning the 47ha site in a way that adds new housing while also preserving existing natural and social assets ❤️