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
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.
