Serangoon to be upgraded by 2012

Serangoon residents can look forward to drop-off porches, soccer hardcourts, fitness corners and improved jogging tracks in their neighbourhood.

Upgrading works, part of the Government’s $7.05 million Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, will begin in the fourth quarter of next year and be completed by the end of 2012.

Announcing this yesterday at the annual Serangoon Community Day, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, said it will benefit about 2,100 units in 25 HDB blocks in Serangoon North built before 1989.

Citing fitness corners and children’s playgrounds as popular requests, Mrs Lim said a working committee will be set up to gather residents’ feedback and understand their needs.

‘A lot depends on the different precincts and the space available, which is often the main constraint, and the terrain: whether it is unlevel, and also the budget,’ said the Member of Parliament for the area.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Mrs Lim added that construction of a special access road connecting the controversial workers’ dormitory in Serangoon Gardens to Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 is almost completed. She will meet the dorm’s operator in about a month to discuss operational issues once the Ministry of National Development gives the green light to the meeting.

‘Once the road is ready, the successful tenderer can start fitting out the place but because it (the dorm) is temporary, we will not expect substantial improvements. When it is up and running, it will pose minimal disamenity, if at all,’ she said.

Mrs Lim also launched Aljunied GRC’s annual Zero Litter Month yesterday, which aims to renew awareness among residents about good hygiene practices.

Two food outlets – Choh Dee Place, a coffeeshop at Serangoon North Avenue 1, and Chomp Chomp Food Centre at Serangoon Gardens – both received their Singapore’s OK Award from the National Environment Agency yesterday.

The awards are given to premises where main stakeholders such as the management, cleaners and stallholders all work to keep the premises hygienic.

Source : Sunday Times – 24 May 2009

Renewal programme to benefit some 2,100 units in Serangoon North

Minister in Prime Minister’s Office, Lim Hwee Hua, has announced a S$7.05 million Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) for some 2,100 units in Serangoon North.

Residents can look forward to new facilities like covered linkways, footpaths, fitness corners and surveillance systems.

Aljunied Town Council says it is a fully-funded government project.

A polling exhibition will be held and the upgrading will only proceed if 75 per cent or more of the eligible household units in the precinct are in favour.

The NRP involves 25 blocks which are located at Blocks 121-127, 142-148, 151-154, Serangoon North Ave 1, and Blocks 135-141 Serangoon North Ave 2.

The project is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 and complete by the fourth quarter of 2012.

Source : Channel NewsAsia – 23 May 2009

HDB brings forward some projects to help smaller contractors

THE government could bring forward some of the $4.7 billion worth of public sector projects put on hold earlier, as well as push forward some other projects by the various ministries, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan said yesterday. A list of projects to be brought forward as well as their total value will be released by early next year, and could be unveiled during the Budget, he said.

‘We’re in the process of looking at these projects and seeing how we can bring forward some of these deferred projects. This is an exercise that is ongoing at the moment,’ said Mr Mah yesterday during an HDB event.

The various ministries are also looking at bringing forward some of their projects, he said.

For HDB and the Ministry of National Development (MND), programmes such as lift upgrading, Home Improvement and Neighbourhood Renewal programmes will also be considered, Mr Mah said.

Source : Business Times - 13 Dec 2008