Govt recognises biodiversity value of Western islands, studies will be conducted before development: MND

The government will be conducting technical studies to inform the development plans for the reclamation and merging of the Western islands, which could include the areas around Pulau Semakau, Sudong and Bukom.

The potential land reclamation project was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the 2026 National Day Rally, who said that these are long-term plans.

The announcement has elicited reactions from the local marine community, with some noting that the reclamation will lead to the immitigable loss of marine habitats dating back millennia, that provide vital ecosystem functions.

Biodiversity value of Western islands and surrounding waters recognised: MND spokesperson

Responding to Mothership's queries, a Ministry of National Development (MND) spokesperson said on Aug. 25 that the government "recognises the biodiversity value of the Western islands and its surrounding waters".

"We are carefully studying the plans as there is a need to plan ahead and create options for the future," the MND spokesperson continued.

According to the National Parks Board's Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey, the combined intertidal area in the possible land reclamation area — which could comprise the areas around Semakau, Sudong, Bukom and neighbouring Hantu and Jong — measures roughly 476.4 hectares.

The reefs around Hantu and Semakau date back as far as 8,000 years ago, Huang Danwei, Director at the National University of Singapore's National Institute for Marine and Ocean Sciences, said.

These reefs have been serving ecological functions for the communities in Singapore and the surrounding region "when this was a known fishing village", according to Huang.

Some of these functions include providing a source of food and coastal erosion prevention.

The reefs in the reclamation area also serve as a "transition habitat" between reefs in Southeast Asia.

"Larvae of various species stopover in the ecosystems here, which thus support biodiversity and fisheries at the regional scale," Huang said.

There is "no mitigation" for the loss of these reefs. Transplanted corals "will not come close" to the ecosystem functions and services of the existing reefs, Huang explained.

Studies will provide understanding of development possibilities and environmental impact

During his speech, PM Wong shared that the merged, larger island could be used for advanced manufacturing industries or power generation infrastructure.

"As part of the planning process, the government will be conducting technical studies to inform the development plans, including the reclamation profile," the MND spokesperson said.

These studies include feasibility studies, site investigations and surveys, as well as engineering and environmental studies.

They will provide a better understanding of the various development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas like biodiversity and hydrodynamics, the MND spokesperson shared.

Will engage stakeholders early: MND spokesperson

The spokesperson also said:

"We will engage stakeholders early to listen to their inputs before studies and work commence, and their feedback will be carefully considered.

Their knowledge and expertise will help inform the studies, assess potential biodiversity impact and identify measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts where possible."

Mothership understands that an engagement session between Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan and volunteers from Friends of Marine Park took place on Aug. 24 evening.