Reclaimed ‘Long Island’ off East Coast could be about twice the size of Marina Bay: Desmond Lee
Lee Sze Teck, senior supervisor of data analytics at Huttons Asia, estimates that at 800ha, Long Island would certainly be quite similar in size to the Kallang-Whampoa estate and might potentially place between 30,000 and 60,000 all new homes with an excellent mix of industrial, recreation and eco-friendly components.
He continues: “The possibilities of producing a second Sentosa are low as the government wishes to develop an inclusive community permitting every person access to good properties and not just for the rich.” He even checks out that the plan will trigger further investment into transport connection, with the possibility for an MRT or LRT extension to branch off from the Thomson-East Coast Line to Long Island.
Close to 800ha across three tracts of land can possibly be redeemed off East Coast Park in near future decades, offering space for brand-new homes and facilities. Called “Long Island”, the land would be around two times the measurements of Marina Bay, says Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration.
Speaking at a habitat improvement activity at East Coast Park hung on Nov 28, Minister Lee indicates that the assignment would certainly create opportunities for years to come ages of Singapore. “They could develop homes, produce jobs, build support services and amenities that they require, and include around 20 kilometres of new seaside and reservoir parks, extending from the present East Coast Park,” he adds.
The idea of Long Island would certainly “plan coastal projection seawards”, permitting the existing East Coast Park to be kept mainly in its existing state, Minister Lee claims. It is going to in addition create an enclosed waterbody, which will become a freshwater reservoir gradually, putting on Singapore’s water system while furthermore being an area the public can make use of for water events.
The suggested Long Island will incorporate coastal protection procedures with future reclamation programs for the area, in view of the continued impact of environmental change that includes rising sea levels. “Mean sea levels across Singapore are projected to increase by up to 1m by the end of this century. When full tides accompany storm surges, water level can climb by as much as 4 to 5m over mean sea level. This is a really significant concern, since approximately one-third of our island is beneath 5m above mean sea level, and in danger of being swamped by the sea,” Minister Lee discusses.
Technical researches will be accomplished to assess the workability of the project, with the research studies anticipated to take around five years. At the same time, residents and stakeholders will be involved to offer responses and concepts on the project. Provided the range of the project, full preparation and execution of Long Island “will take decades”, Minister Lee says.
” It is strongly likely that the allotment for common housing will be more than private real estate on Long Island,” Huttons’ Lee claims, adding that the HDB flats will likely be launched either under the Prime or Plus model.
Regardless, the future developments on Long Island will likely benefit existing exclusive developments along the East Coast, most of which are freehold, Huttons’ Lee completes. “It might also boost the potential for en-bloc in the future.”
