A compromise has been reached between the Government and the people farming illegally in Clementi.

All 18 who had been tending to crops near Sungei Ulu Pandan will get to stay, but on a smaller plot of land. They will also pay $60 a year to continue farming there.

Member of Parliament Sim Ann said yesterday that when the farmers’ activity came to light in March this year, the Government’s task was to give them ‘a legitimate outlet for their passion for planting’. ‘The legal position is clear – whatever the background reason, encroachment on state land is illegal,’ said Ms Sim, who had been leading the talks between the gardeners and the various government agencies involved.

The land is mostly in the Bukit Timah ward of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, where Ms Sim is the MP.

‘But… we also recognised that these are just individuals and families who happen to love planting vegetables and crops. We knew that they meant no harm,’ she added.

Ms Sim, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Law, said that other people who want to join in may do so.

The new community garden is located near Block 301 in Clementi Avenue 4. It will be run by the Bukit Timah Citizens’ Consultative Committee, with support from Northwest Community Development Council and the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.

The committee is applying for a temporary occupation licence from the Singapore Land Authority, renewable each year, and expects to be able to use the land for at least three years.

Covering an area about 50m by 25m, the community garden will be divided into 30 or so strips, each 8m by 4m. Each gardener gets just one strip.

For decades, several people – mostly the elderly – have been gardening and growing herbs, fruit and vegetables at the 1,800 sq m strip of state land sandwiched between the Sungei Ulu Pandan canal, the former Malayan Railway (KTM) track, Clementi Avenue 4 and Clementi Avenue 6.

In March, they faced eviction after residents complained about burning leaves and mosquitoes, and Ms Sim had helped secure a three-month respite and June 20 move-out date.

Kindergarten teacher Ng Ang Mui, 48, who had made some initial complaints about smoke from burning leaves, said of the new deal: ‘They need to have a proper way of handling the leaves, rubbish and the mosquitoes… If there’s a proper way to handle these, I think there should be no problem.’

Laboratory manager Lester Yeung, 35, whose father tends to a plot just past the Clementi Avenue 6 flyover, said there has been no more burning of leaves since March. Even if the new garden is not as large, he said, ‘at least the objective of having folks be able to continue with what they do is met’.

Source: The Straits Times

President Tony Tan Keng Yam has urged the government to not rush into coming up with a plan for the Rail Corridor.

He said it is more important to take time to wait for good ideas to come forth.

“Don’t rush into doing things (and) say ‘We must have a plan and we must finish it by 2-3 years’ time’… (Let’s) take our time to study the possibilities,” said Dr Tan.

He was speaking after visiting the “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition at the URA Centre on Wednesday.

The exhibition features about 80 entries comprising 18 winning ideas, 19 honourable mentions, as well as other innovative entries received for Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Ideas Competition. The exhibition also showcases some of the interesting feedback and suggestions received on URA’s Rail Corridor website since its launch in July last year.

Dr Tan said he is happy that Singaporeans of various community groups have expressed great interest in the Rail Corridor.

He said the government should continue to find ways to engage different groups and hear their ideas.

And the URA’s Ideas Competition is a good way to get new ideas.

However, he also said authorities should be flexible in experimenting to find out what works best.

“You try things out, if it does not work, you can change it… I think it may take us up to 10 years before the whole thing settles down into an asset which can be enjoyed by all Singaporeans,” said Dr Tan.

One way this will be done is through the Rail Corridor Partnership, which includes government agencies, interest groups and individuals who were part of the Rail Corridor Consultation Group.

Chaired by Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin, the new partnership now includes agencies such as the Education Ministry, the Singapore Sports Council, the People’s Association and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

They will explore ways to promote community use of the Rail Corridor.

The agencies that have just joined the Rail Corridor Partnership will also gather feedback from the community events organised. This, together with the proposals from the Ideas Competition will set the stage for the Rail Corridor Master Plan.

Source: Channel NewsAsia

2 May 2012 – The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced today the formation of a Rail Corridor Partnership to look into the programming and promotion of community activities along the Rail Corridor. The Partnership is an expansion of the Rail Corridor Consultation Group, which was formed last July to provide input to the government on charting the future development plans for the Rail Corridor.

With the re-opening of the Rail Corridor on 9 January 2012, the Partnership will look for opportunities to promote community use of the space that spans the entire width of the island from north to south. Representatives from agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore Sports Council, and People’s Association will join the Partnership to further foster public-people sector collaboration along the Rail Corridor.

Collaborative effort to promote activities on the Rail Corridor

President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who visited the ‘Journey of Possibilities’ exhibition at the URA Centre, said, “I am very encouraged that many groups and individuals are taking a keen interest in the Rail Corridor and are actively contributing their ideas and suggestions on the development and uses of the Rail Corridor. I am also glad that URA is stepping up engagements with Singaporeans to develop the Rail Corridor into a unique feature of our urban landscape that can be enjoyed by all Singaporeans.”

Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin, who chairs the Partnership, highlighted the collaborative nature of the group. He said, “The expanded role of the Rail Corridor Partnership will see a stronger collaboration between public sector agencies, interest groups, and individuals to promote and support suitable activities and events along the Rail Corridor. I hope that our engagement will continue to be constructive and fruitful going forward.”

The URA will work closely with partner agencies to assess the range of possible community uses and events as well as the necessary infrastructural requirements needed to support these activities along the Rail Corridor. The Rail Corridor Partnership will also provide advice on the public engagement efforts and proposed activities for the Rail Corridor. Such activities could span from community level events to national events that utilise the entire Rail Corridor. The feedback gathered from these events would be used by URA to draw up the design specifications and requirements that will form part of the brief for the Rail Corridor Master Plan and Design Competition that is being considered at the moment.

President met with winners of Ideas Competition

During his visit to the ‘Journey of Possibilities’ exhibition, President Tony Tan met with some of the winners of the Ideas Competition who shared with him their ideas for the Rail Corridor. The President was also introduced to members of the Rail Corridor Partnership and jury members of the Ideas Competition.

The ‘Journey of Possibilities’ exhibition features about 80 entries comprising 18 winning ideas, 19 honourable mentions, as well as other innovative entries received for the Ideas Competition. The exhibition also showcases some of the interesting feedback and suggestions received on URA’s Rail Corridor website since its launch in July last year. The exhibition ends on 11 May 2012.

The URA launched the Ideas Competition on 30 November 2011 to draw innovative and fresh new ideas from the public in addressing some of the key challenges and issues in planning for the future use of the Rail Corridor. The Ideas Competition attracted more than 200 submissions from both local and overseas participants. The URA will study the ideas and concepts from all these entries and distil from them suitable design principles and parameters that can form part of the brief for the Rail Corridor Master Plan and Design Competition that may be held in the future.

Source: URA

2. Over the past few months, SLA has received several requests from the public to use the former BTRS and TPRS for community events, sports activities and exhibitions. SLA is pleased to announce that the former BTRS and TPRS are now open to individuals and organisations for ad-hoc activities and events, subject to SLA’s terms and conditions.

3. It is hoped that such activities and events will inject vibrancy and life to the two buildings and the surrounding area. Both the TPRS and the BTRS are a part of Singapore’s heritage, with the former being gazetted as a national monument, while BTRS has been conserved.

4. The inaugural event to be staged at the former TPRS is the Female and Nuyou Magazines’ joint fashion event “Female Nuyou Catwalk 2012” on 25 April with 400 invited guests.

5. Said Ms Diana Lee, General Manager, Fashion & Beauty, SPH Magazines,“We chose the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as an event site because of its unique heritage. We are pleased to be given the opportunity to hold the very first event here. TPRS has a wonderful ambience where we can see the blending of the new (fashion) and the old (heritage). “
6. Other events being planned include exhibitions and art performances.

7. In September last year, the former Bukit Timah Railway Station and railway land 1.4km southwards from the steel bridge along Bukit Timah Road was opened to the public. In January 2012, SLA identified three sites along the Rail Corridor and adjacent vacant state land for interim community use. These are located near Jalan Hang Jebat, Ghim Moh Road and Kampong Bahru Flyover. Currently, improvement works are being carried out at these sites, which have been cordoned off for safety reasons, and will be progressively opened from April 2012. The public will be able to enjoy free access to these sites for recreational activities until such time when the land is required for development.

Development plans for the Rail Corridor

8. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is undertaking a comprehensive review of development plans for the former railway stations, 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 URA has been engaging the public and interest groups on the future use of the Rail Corridor. The most recent event was the launch of an Ideas Competition which was intended to draw innovative and fresh new ideas from the public in addressing some of the key challenges and issues in planning for the Rail Corridor. URA continues to value public input and suggestions on the Rail Corridor through our website. For the latest news, please log onto http://www.ura.gov.sg/railcorridor.

Source: SLA

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.

Winning Ideas from local and overseas

URA launched the Ideas Competition on 30 November 2011 which was intended to draw innovative and fresh new ideas from the public in addressing some of the key challenges and issues in planning for the future use of the Rail Corridor. Please see Annex A on details of the Ideas Competition.

The Ideas Competition has attracted more than 200 submissions from both local and overseas participants. Other than practitioners such as architects and landscape architects, local submissions also came from education institutions such as Raffles Girls School (Secondary), Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary), Guangyang Secondary School as well as Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, National University of Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.

The Competition has also attracted overseas interest from Australia, United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands as well as student submissions from the Community College of Philadelphia in the United States.

The issue “Extraordinary and Innovative Ideas for a Great Public Space” under the Open Category garnered the most number of entries and this is followed by the “Youth Challenge” which received the second highest number of ideas.

Please see Annex B on the list of winning ideas under each Issue and their respective jury citation.

The URA will study the ideas and concepts from all these entries and distil from them suitable design principles and parameters that can form part of the brief for the Rail Corridor Master Plan and Design Competition that is being considered at the moment.

Judging and awards

The jury panels comprise members from the Rail Corridor Consultation Group and representatives from the public and private sectors. The submissions were assessed by the jurors for their responsiveness to the challenge in the competition brief, the creativity and originality of their ideas, as well as the quality and clarity of the presentation. Please see Annex C on the list of members of the jury panel under each Issue.

For the Open Category, three top prizes were awarded for each issue, with cash values of S$2,000, S$1,000 and $500 respectively. For the Youth Challenge, three top prizes were also awarded comprising cash values of S$1,000, S$500 and S$250 respectively.

“Journey of Possibilities” exhibition

The “Journey of Possibilities” exhibition – which was officially launched by MOS Tan – will feature about 80 entries comprising the 18 winning ideas, 19 “honourable mentions” as well as other innovative entries received for the Ideas Competition. The exhibition will also showcase some of the interesting feedback and suggestions received on URA’s Rail Corridor website since its launch in July last year.

The exhibition will be held at the URA Centre Atrium, 45 Maxwell Road Singapore 069118 from 30 March to 11 May 2012 (Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 7pm / Saturdays: 8.30am to 5pm / Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays). Admission is free.

Source: URA

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.

3. SLA placed notices advising that the unauthorised activities cease and the structures be removed by 20 Mar 2012. To-date, 13 individuals have come forward to claim responsibility for their activities.

For those who have come forward

4. Ms Sim Ann, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC has made representations on behalf of those who have come forward to SLA for more time to resolve the matter. SLA has agreed to the request and will give them 3 months from 20 March to work out an arrangement with the grassroot organizations (GROs) that is acceptable to SLA and the GROs.

For those who have not identifed themselves

5. SLA will give those who have not come forward a final deadline until 3 April to contact SLA. However, if they do not do so, SLA will have no choice but to proceed to dismantle and remove the enclosed areas and illegal structures.

Immediate actions

6. In the interests of the residents living in the area, SLA has implemented the following public health and safety measures:

(i) Mosquito breeding at stagnant ponds
SLA has carried out vector control to prevent mosquito breeding in the stagnant ponds.

(ii) Safety signs
Signs will be put up to warn the public of potential danger such as potholes and ponds.

(iii) Burning of leaves
SLA has also posted advisory notices against illegal burning. SLA will be stepping up ground surveillance and will also work closely with the grassroots and residents to detect and report such illegal activities. Offenders may be prosecuted under the Environmental Public Health Act (Public Cleansing) Regulations.

Engaging the grassroots organisations

7. SLA would like to emphasise that State land belongs to all Singaporeans. Individuals cannot simply lay claim on State land for their private use. SLA will continue to consult the GROs on the possible interim use of the State land near Block 305 for the benefit of the wider community. At this time, SLA understands that the GROs are considering whether to take up a TOL for community purposes.

Source: SLA

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.

Yesterday, she showed reporters round the 1,800 sq m of vegetable patches, pointing out potential mosquito breeding grounds and imploring the farmers to step forward.

‘If they don’t do so, it’ll be quite hard for us to represent their views,’ she said.

The SLA, which has no immediate plans for that tract of state land, also wants to hear from the area’s grassroots groups on whether parts of the land can be used in the interim for the enjoyment of the residents.

‘If the grassroots organisations require more time to discuss this with residents, the SLA is prepared to consider,’ an SLA spokesman said.

The SLA said it oversees 270 community-use sites islandwide, though none of these is used for farms or gardens.

The Clementi case is one of the first high-profile run-ins between a government agency and illegal farmers in almost a decade; the last known case was of a farm in Neo Tiew which was told to go.

The Clementi patchwork of farms, sitting on land almost two football fields in length, is bounded by a portion of the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu railway line, the Sungei Ulu Pandan canal, Clementi Avenue 4 and Clementi Avenue 6.

A week ago, the SLA posted a letter on sheds and other structures there, asking the users to dismantle them by March 20 or face enforcement action. No invitation to discuss the issue was offered then.

Yesterday, the SLA said that, aside from asking the farmers to come forward by March 20, it would give them ‘a reasonable period of time’ to dismantle and remove the structures and other items.

Its spokesman did not elaborate.

The area has been cultivated by various residents for some 30 years. Most of the 20 or so farmers are not in it for profit, but just for the exercise and the fruits of their labour, which include jackfruit, chilli and sweet potato.

But some residents have complained of smoke from the leaves that are burned regularly on site.

Kindergarten teacher Ng Ang Mui, 48, who lives in Block 305, said her two children have asthma and her mother was having problems breathing.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Ms Sim said public health was her priority: ‘Let’s just settle the public-health concerns first – and that really concerns everyone, not just the residents nearby but also the people using this piece of land. The rest, we’ll have to figure it out along the way.’

Mr Lester Yeong, 35, whose retired father farms a patch on the site, has offered to speak for the farmers. He and others have proposed to the SLA that farming be allowed to carry on until plans are made for the land, and that the farmers pay a nominal fee for a temporary occupancy permit.

His father’s vegetable patch is fenced up, but he said he would not mind opening up the garden to public access.

Meanwhile, members of the public have written in to The Straits Times, some opposed to the farming and others backing it for the ‘charm’ it gives the neighbourhood.

Retiree Lee Ter Kiah, 70, said the ‘dirty and unsightly’ farms should make way for a park where people can take strolls.

Clementi resident Lin Shuli, a 22-year-old sociology undergraduate who is studying the farmers for a term paper on ageing, said: ‘I understand the farmers have occupied the land illegally, but I urge the authorities to consider preserving this community – and even help the elderly to build on their hobby.’

They could, for example, make compost instead of burning vegetable matter, she said, adding: ‘These plots of land are what give them a sense of purpose in their silver years.’

Source: The Straits Times

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.

Mr Yeong said: “It’s like a kampong and it is near where we stay. My kids come here every day after I return from work and they totally enjoy it. It’s most unfortunate that a single incident has caused SLA to issue the encroachment notice. Right now, I have made an appeal to MP of Bukit Timah, Sim Ann, that we would very much like to continue with what we have been doing… and we are ready for any form of compromise. With compromise, I believe that it’ll be a very valuable community farming area.”

However, health issues are a concern.

A resident living in Clementi raised concerns a few weeks ago about leaves being burnt at the plot.

The burning had caused problems for her child who has asthma.

Aside from health concerns, the National Environment Agency is also worried about mosquito breeding.

And MP for the area, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC’s Sim Ann, hopes those who have been using the plot will come forward to share their views with her.

Ms Sim said: “If they don’t identify themselves, it’s going to be very hard for us to represent their views when we engage with agencies such as the Singapore Land Authority and other concerned agencies such as the National Environment Agency. The SLA has also assured us that they will work with the community and stakeholders to come up with an arrangement that is for the greater community interest.”

SLA said it will consider whether the plot should be used for some form of interim community use.

Source: Channel NewsAsia

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.

Ideas Competition for the Rail Corridor

On 30 November 2011, the URA launched the “Journey of Possibilities” Ideas Competition for the Rail Corridor. The Ideas Competition was intended to draw innovative and fresh new ideas from the public in addressing some of the key challenges and issues in planning for the future use of the Rail Corridor. We have received more than 200 submissions as at the closing date on 9 March 2012.

There are two categories for the Ideas Competition, namely the “Open” Category and the “Youth Challenge” (secondary school students). While the “Open” Category is open to all interested participants, the “Youth Challenge” is a youth-centric competition which is targeted at secondary school students.

Under the “Open” Category, the public is invited to choose the issue that they would like to address and to propose innovative solutions and ideas in response to the issue. The five key issues are:

1. Bio-diversity and sensitive development
2. Inclusiveness, accessibility and resolving conflicts
3. Community ownership, pride and sense of well-being
4. Heritage
5. Extraordinary and Innovative Ideas for a Great Public Space

Under the “Youth Challenge”, we encourage young participants in secondary schools to come up with exciting new ideas and proposals that will surprise and excite Singaporeans. The ideas, concepts and proposals need not be limited to the five key issues. They could be wide-ranging reflecting the interests and aspirations of the younger generation, and how the Rail Corridor could be especially meaningful to them.

For more information on the Ideas Competition, please visit http://www.ura.gov.sg/railcorridor/ideas_comp/.

Registration for Presentation

Online registration for the Presentation is open to all members of the public from now till 23 March 2012 (Friday). Seats are limited. To register for the Presentation, please log onto www.ura.gov.sg/railcorridor/journeyforum.html.

For enquiries, the public can call 6329 3206.

Source: URA

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.

The notice also pointed out that ‘other items’ had been placed on state land without approval, in an apparent reference to a small shrine, a tool shed and several fish ponds.

Asked why it was taking action now, the SLA, in a joint statement with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, replied that a resident in the vicinity had reported that the frequent burning of leaves in the area had made the air acrid, creating discomfort especially for her children who have asthma.

The SLA said it looked into the complaint and found burnt patches of ground, the crops and unauthorised structures, so it posted the eviction notices.

‘Going forward, the SLA will consider and discuss with grassroots organisations whether and what arrangements can be put in place to allow community use of the land,’ said the statement.

It added, however, that the ‘disamenities’ caused by the farming had to be taken into account.

The SLA has the law on its side.

The State Lands Encroachment Act states that those who ‘unlawfully enter into possession of any state land, either by residing or by erecting any building or hut thereon or by clearing, enclosing or cultivating any part thereof’ shall be guilty of an offence. Conviction brings a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to six months or both.

Madam Siow Siew Eng, 72, who is at the farm almost daily, said officers turned up and took down her details. Asked how she felt about the eviction, she patted her chest and said ‘sim tiah’, meaning ‘heart pain’ in Hokkien.

She said she is not planting anything new, and will just harvest what is there.

The group of ‘urban farmers’, mostly elderly, have been pottering on the farm long enough to have seen a new generation of them turn up to work the soil.

Madam Siow herself took over her patch from her godfather, now in his 80s and unable to walk.

Clementi resident Lester Yeong, a 35-year-old laboratory manager, said his father has farmed there in the two years since he retired, surrounded by his grandchildren, who go there to play.

Mr Yeong and others have asked the SLA for the gardening to be permitted until the land is needed for other uses, and for the current users to pay a nominal fee for a temporary occupancy permit.

He said he is meeting his MP, Ms Sim Ann, next week to discuss the issue.

Mr Leong Kwok Peng of the Green Corridor civic interest group looking to preserve the former KTM railway stretch, said an abandoned railway bridge linking Sunset Way to Clementi had significant heritage value, as does that section of the track, which was a branch of the Tanjong Pagar-Woodlands line that became disused more than 20 years ago.

Mr Leong called for the farmers to be allowed to continue their activity, but said the plot should be a community space, open to all, not just the farmers.

Clementi residents say the farm, there since the late 1970s, is something of a neighbourhood institution.

Housewife Jacinta Conceicao, 50, said: ‘It’s part of the scenery for us. We have the railway track, we have the river and we have this farm – it makes our neighbourhood unique in this way.’

Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore