• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Environmental Impact Assessment not initially required for Kranji woodland; sites dominated by non-native albizia trees, says Minister Chan Chun Sing

by Aldgra F.
26/02/2021
in Environment, Parliament
Reading Time: 3 mins read
16
Environmental Impact Assessment not initially required for Kranji woodland; sites dominated by non-native albizia trees, says Minister Chan Chun Sing

Source: CNA Parliamentary Broadcast

Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing told Parliament on Friday (26 Feb) that the Kranji woodland sites set aside for redevelopment did not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), being previously dominated by “strong plant vegetation” and “non-native albizia trees”, as well as away from “sensitive nature areas”.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) on the clearing of the forest, Mr Chan explained that JTC has appointed CPG as its consultant in 2019 to carry out planning and design works for the site.

“An environmental impact assessment or EIA was not required then, given that the site was previously dominated by strong plant vegetation and later non-native albizia trees as I had explained earlier. The site is also not close to sensitive nature areas,” he noted.

Mr Chan said that CPG submitted building plans for the Agri-Food Innovation Park (AFIP) – which is part of the Sungei Kadut Eco-District (SKED) – to National Park Boards (NParks) including proposals to fell trees.

He noted that NParks had issued a “written direction” to approve the tree felling for three plots within the site on 29 August 2019.

These three plots are plot 4, 5, and 9; with tree felling for plot 9 beginning in March last year.

“In August 2020, CPG submitted updated building plans to NParks which included a new drain with discharge and flow into Sungai Pang Sua,” said the Minister.

Given that the drain could potentially cause sediments from the site to flow into Sungai Pang Sua and “impact life in the vicinity”, Mr Chan said JTC and CPG were instructed by NParks to conduct a baseline study and Environmental Monitoring and Management Program (EMMP).

The consultant for the baseline study and EMMP was engaged in December last year, he said.

Mr Chan went on to say that the contractor conducted further clearing of the forest without approval between the end of December last year and 13 January this year.

“There are ongoing investigations on why the contractor did so since there was no approval. I seek the House’s understanding that I cannot say more at this point in time, pending the outcome of these investigations,” he added.

The further land clearing by the contractor was discovered by JTC’s project manager during his site visit on 13 January this year, said Mr Chan.

He pointed out that all clearing works on site were suspended immediately and remain suspended today.

“JTC has commenced an internal investigation to ascertain what has happened and why. The investigation will be led by JTC Senior Management who are not involved in the project.

“It will check if JTC’s current processes for land clearance works were followed by both the public officers and private contractors involved,” he said.

While Mr Chan noted that NParks will separately investigate whether there were breaches to the Wildlife Act, he refused to comment further on the respective investigations at this point in order to “not prejudice the outcomes”.

“JTC will engage key stakeholders including nature interest groups to discuss its development plans. Findings of the studies will be made publicly available when ready,” he added.

Mr Chan stressed that the government has instructed all agencies involved in land clearance projects to conduct an immediate check to ensure their project supervision and implementation processes are in order.

The Minister added that Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Joseph Leong, who is not directly involved with the Kranji Woodlands site clearance, will also lead a review of the lessons arising from the development of the site.

“The outcomes from the various investigations and review will be shared with the public when ready,” he asserted.

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

【财政预算案2021】2020年预算赤字达649亿元 占国内生产总值13.9%
AFP

China’s mega-rich move their wealth, and partying, to Singapore

04/02/2023
2024 Olympic torch relay to start in Marseille
AFP

2024 Olympic torch relay to start in Marseille

03/02/2023
India’s Adani shares plunge again after stock sale cancelled
AFP

India’s Adani denies rise due to Modi as shares fall again

03/02/2023
TotalEnergies says Adani exposure ‘limited’ at US$3.1 bn
AFP

TotalEnergies says Adani exposure ‘limited’ at US$3.1 bn

03/02/2023
India’s finance minister says markets ‘well regulated’ after Adani storm
AFP

India’s finance minister says markets ‘well regulated’ after Adani storm

03/02/2023
A man can be sentenced to death by a testimony of another, but CPIB finds it hard to prosecute with mountain of evidence and self-confession?
Opinion

A man can be sentenced to death by a testimony of another, but CPIB finds it hard to prosecute with mountain of evidence and self-confession?

03/02/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
16 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

【财政预算案2021】2020年预算赤字达649亿元 占国内生产总值13.9%

China’s mega-rich move their wealth, and partying, to Singapore

04/02/2023
2024 Olympic torch relay to start in Marseille

2024 Olympic torch relay to start in Marseille

03/02/2023
India’s Adani shares plunge again after stock sale cancelled

India’s Adani denies rise due to Modi as shares fall again

03/02/2023
TotalEnergies says Adani exposure ‘limited’ at US$3.1 bn

TotalEnergies says Adani exposure ‘limited’ at US$3.1 bn

03/02/2023
India’s finance minister says markets ‘well regulated’ after Adani storm

India’s finance minister says markets ‘well regulated’ after Adani storm

03/02/2023
A man can be sentenced to death by a testimony of another, but CPIB finds it hard to prosecute with mountain of evidence and self-confession?

A man can be sentenced to death by a testimony of another, but CPIB finds it hard to prosecute with mountain of evidence and self-confession?

03/02/2023

Myanmar junta imposes tough new measures on resistance strongholds

03/02/2023
Malaysia High Court dismissed DPM Zahid’s application to get passport returned permanently

Malaysia High Court dismissed DPM Zahid’s application to get passport returned permanently

03/02/2023

Trending posts

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

by Yee Loon
30/01/2023
25

...

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

by Augustine Low
01/02/2023
47

...

Adani’s brother runs SG company and registers as director with local ID

Adani’s brother runs SG company and registers as director with local ID

by Correspondent
03/02/2023
15

...

Singapore warns slower economic growth in 2023

Less than 1 in 10 jobs created in first three quarters of 2022 went to Singaporeans?

by Leong Szehian
28/01/2023
69

...

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

by Yee Loon
26/01/2023
24

...

Excessively charging for an essential need, and calling it affordable because people still can pay for it?

by Terry Xu
31/01/2023
40

...

February 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
« Jan   Mar »

The Online Citizen is a regional online publication based in Taiwan and formerly Singapore’s longest-running independent online media platform.

Navigation

  • Editorial
  • Commentaries
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Community

Support

  • Contact Us
  • Letter submission
  • Membership subscription

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

wpDiscuz