More greenery to be retained at Maju Forest & Gillman Barracks but we'll have to accept fewer homes on both sites: Alvin Tan

The government is looking to retain more greenery at Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way (Maju Forest) sites following further public feedback and consultation with nature groups, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan told the media on Aug. 14.

Adjustments to be made to the current plans for both sites

He explained that at Gillman Barracks, the current plan will set aside green spaces that's equivalent to 40 per cent of the site. These include native-dominated secondary forests, the entire forest stream and ecological connections to other nature sites.

As for Maju Forest, the current plan is to retain 35 per cent of the forested areas, including important features like the native-dominated secondary forest, a natural freshwater stream and the former Jurong Railway Line.

"But the current plan was never final," Tan said before sharing about the feedback the ministry received thus far.

For both sites, nature groups have emphasised the importance of maintaining a wide central green corridor, as it will allow a more contiguous vegetated area for animals to forage, Tan said.

"The residents and the general public too have asked us to retain more green," he added.

He committed that the government will take these suggestions into consideration as they make adjustments to the current plans.

"We will work out exactly how much more [greenery], but we will have to accept that this means we can build fewer homes on both sites for fellow Singaporeans."

He assured that the government welcomes and has still been receiving feedback, and aims to finalise the plan over the following month or so.

Suggestions from the Nature Society's president

Speaking to media at the same doorstop, President of the Nature Society Singapore Leong Kwok Peng said that his personal preference was to not touch Maju Forest.

If there's a need to develop, Leong urged the ministry to "do a bit more in terms of planning" to ensure sufficient vegetated connectivity and not split the forest into "two separate entities".

"With a bigger forest, then you have a more substantial habitat, " Leong added.

The Nature Society has provided their feedback through closed-door meetings, including a one-on-one meeting with MND.

Leong suggested that a possible balance to the land allocation can be two-thirds of forested area and one-third of developed area.

Background

Since the Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced housing plans at Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest on Jul. 10, debate has grown over whether the projects would come at the expense of natural spaces and wildlife habitats.

Previously on Aug. 6, Tan said in Parliament that the government will proceed with the redevelopment of the two sites, but detailed plans have not been finalised.

Several Members of Parliament have also spoken up on this issue.

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