Winning ideas for Rail Corridor unveiled at launch of “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition
Press Release By URA, 30 March 2012.
Eighteen winning ideas were unveiled at the launch of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s “Journey of Possibilities†exhibition and awards presentation ceremony today at the URA Centre Atrium.
Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin presented prizes to the 18 winners during the launch of the “Journey of Possibilities†exhibition which will open from today to 11 May 2012. Another 19 ideas were recognised as “honourable mentions†for their creativity and surprising qualities. The winners will be sharing their ideas at a Public Presentation following the awards presentation ceremony. Read more
More time for illegal ‘farmers’ at state land, Clementi Ave 4
Press Release from SLA
20 March 2012 – The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) recently received feedback from residents of Clementi Ave 4 on the frequent burning of leaves and branches on the State land near Block 305 Clementi Avenue 4which has affected the quality of air for the residents there and also poses a potential fire hazard. This State land was part of the land formerly occupied by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) which has reverted to the State.
2. Upon investigations, apart from widespread burnt patches of ground, it was also found that some individuals had not only encroached on state land for their private purposes but also fenced up parcels of land for their exclusive use, and also illegally erected makeshift sheds and an outdoor toilet. Several stagnant ponds of water which are potential mosquito breeding grounds were also found. Read more
Let’s talk, SLA tells farmers
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 14 Mar 2012.
The group of residents who have been farming on a patch of state land in Clementi Avenue 4 may now get a little breathing room.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which last week issued an eviction notice on the illegal vegetable garden, is now asking these farmers to come forward to discuss the issue.
If they fail to do this by March 20, their vegetable patches, the sheds and other structures there will be cleared.
An SLA spokesman said it has no choice but to do this, because public health and safety issues – from mosquitoes and air pollution from the burning of leaves on the site – have been raised.
So far, three families have identified themselves.
Meanwhile, Ms Sim Ann, the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Member of Parliament overseeing the area, has offered to mediate.
Source: The Straits Times
Residents told to clear out “farm” on state land
By Olivia Siong, Channel NewsAsia, 13 Mar 2012.
The authorities are hoping to engage those who have been illegally using a plot of state land at Clementi Avenue 4.
Residents have been farming at the 1,800 square metre site for almost 30 years, but they are now being ordered by the Singapore Land Authority to move out by March 20.
And for residents like Lester Yeong, they are hoping that a compromise can be reached between the authorities and residents.
Mr Yeong and his family have been farming in the area for about two years. They spend about two to three hours daily at the plot and have planted about 20 species of fruits and vegetables there.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
“Journey of Possibilities” – Presentation of Winning Ideas for the Rail Corridor [Press Releases]
12 March 2012 – The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is pleased to announce that the winners of the “Journey of Possibilities” Ideas Competition for the Rail Corridor will be unveiled on 30 March 2012 (Friday). On that day, the winners will be sharing their ideas at a Presentation which will be held at the URA Centre from 7pm to 9pm. The public is invited to attend this session to learn more about the winners’ innovative solutions and ideas in addressing some of the key challenges/issues that were identified earlier for the Rail Corridor.
The Presentation of Winning Ideas for the Rail Corridor is part of URA’s continuing efforts to actively engage and involve the public in our plans to shape Singapore into a great city to live, work and play in. Through this Presentation, we hope to involve more people to join us on this exciting journey to dream up possibilities for the Rail Corridor that could eventually be turned into reality. Read more
Group told to clear out ‘farm’ on state land
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 10 Mar 2012.
For three decades, a group of Clementi residents have tended to a garden in their neighbourhood, coaxing harvests of bittergourd, sweet potato and jackfruit from the soil, mostly for their own dinner tables.
But their ‘farm’ sits on state land.
On Tuesday, they were told by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to clear out by March 20 – in two weeks.
The plot in question is bounded by a portion of the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway line, the Sungei Ulu Pandan canal, Clementi Avenue 4 and Clementi Avenue 6.
A notice from the SLA has been posted on the door of the outhouse on the farm, announcing that these ‘farmers’ had trespassed on state land by erecting an illegal structure and cultivating crops illegally.
Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Rail Corridor is now accessible to the public [Press Release]
9 January 2012 – The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has completed removal works along the former railway land. The railway tracks and ancillary structures were handed over to Malaysia on schedule by 31 December 2011, as agreed. The land has been levelled and turfed.
2. From today onwards, the public can enjoy free access to the Rail Corridor, with the exception of three sites along the Rail Corridor and the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (TPRS).
Three new community use sites
3. Following the opening of the former Bukit Timah Railway Station and railway land extending 1.4km southwards from the steel bridge along Bukit Timah Road to the public on 16 September 2011, SLA has identified three sites along the Rail Corridor and adjacent vacant state land for interim community use. These sites are near Jalan Hang Jebat, Ghim Moh Road and Kampong Bahru Flyover. Maps showing the locations of the community use sites are at Annex A.
4. SLA is carrying out improvement works at these sites, which have been cordoned off for safety reasons. The sites will be progressively opened for interim community use from April 2012. The public will be able to enjoy free access to these sites for recreational activities with no advance booking required. These sites will be available until the long term development plans for the Rail Corridor and its immediate surroundings have been determined. More information on community use sites can be found on http://www.sla.gov.sg/htm/ser/ser0208.htm.
Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
5. TPRS will remain closed at this time to enable SLA to carry out maintenance works and structural inspection. Information on its re-opening will be provided to the public in due course.
6. The public are advised to exercise caution and be responsible for their own safety when accessing the Rail Corridor. They are also reminded not to litter or deface the railway structures.
Development plans for the Rail Corridor
7. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is undertaking a comprehensive review of development plans for the former railway land and their surrounding areas. As part of its review, URA will study the proposal to maintain a continuous green link along the Rail Corridor while balancing the need for development. The public is welcome to provide suggestions and ideas on the future use of the Rail Corridor to enhance our living environment. For more information, please log onto http://www.ura.gov.sg/railcorridor.
Source: SLA
Rail Corridor re-opens for public use from Monday
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 9 Jan 2012.
The Rail Corridor – the snaking, 26km tract of former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway land – is open to the public from Monday, with the exception of four areas.
For the past half-year, the authorities had been removing old railway tracks and equipment as well as levelling and turfing over the land parcel, which runs from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands.
Source: The Straits Times
Final pieces of KTM track removed
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 1 Jan 2012.
The last of the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway tracks have been dismantled and sent home to Malaysia, capping off a year in which the Woodlands to Tanjong Pagar railroad stretch was decommissioned in a landmark land swop.
The 26km tract from Woodlands to Tanjong Pagar was returned to Singapore last July as agreed with Malaysia, in exchange for land parcels in Marina South and Ophir-Rochor.
In the weeks after the train service to Woodlands ceased, thousands of recreational explorers and shutterbugs thronged the tracks, hoping to capture a slice of history.
Trains had run from Tanjong Pagar since 1932, and continue to run north from Woodlands.
Removal works started in July. Small structures, railway tracks, sleepers, ballast, cables, gates, posts and debris were removed.
Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Campaign for a green corridor
By Teo Wan Gek and Toh Yong Chuan, The Straits Times, 30 Dec 2011.
Alarm bells rang in Nature Society (Singapore) vice-president Leong Kwok Peng’s head when he read a front-page report in The Straits Times announcing the relocation of Tanjong Pagar railway station to Woodlands.
That was on May 25 last year.
Mr Leong, 55, says the Nature Society had for years hoped to preserve the nature belt along the railway tracks.
With the railway land reverting to Singapore, future developments might encroach into the pockets of nature or break up the continuous stretch of greenery.
Mr Leong got to work. He wrote to The Straits Times Forum to propose a green corridor be preserved, and ended up spearheading the Nature Society’s campaign on the matter.
