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SINGAPORE : The PUB is planning to beautify Singapore's waterways and their surroundings over the next 10-15 years to make them more vibrant.
It has already identified 150 locations under its Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters programme.
Work will be carried out in phases.
Some 20 projects will get underway in the next five years.
The government recently announced plans to have wetland areas at Sungei Punggol and Sungei Serangoon.
Now, the PUB is looking to build two floating islands at Pandan Reservoir.
The place will be transformed into a key water sports venue, with activities such as competitive kayaking and canoeing.
And those who wish to get a close-up view of the exciting activities on the reservoirs can do so from floating decks and viewing platforms.
As for Lower Seletar Reservoir, it will see a makeover into a new family destination, complete with a water stage for outdoor performances and a viewing gallery.
There will also be a 280-metre long pedestrian deck for romantic strolls under the moonlight.
Some of the projects were showcased at a public exhibition on the ABC Waters programme on Tuesday.
Launching the exhibition, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on Singaporeans to play their part and ensure that the waterways remain clean.
He said, "The government will lead the way, but the success of the ABC Waters programme will depend on the participation of all Singaporeans. Today PUB collects and removes an enormous amount of litter every day from our waterways. They install float booms along the various river mouths and everyday they collect 15 tonnes (of litter) - that's a lot of sweet wrappers! Litter dropped in Ang Mo Kio will flow down the river and eventually will decorate Marina Bay.
"So if one area becomes polluted with rubbish and waste, it's going to contaminate water in many other parts of Singapore. And if we are going to make Marina Bay into a freshwater lake and draw water from Marina Bay and pump it into our reservoirs, and use it for drinking, then we can't afford to have it dirty."
Mr Lee also urged private property developers to participate in the ABC Waters programme by integrating the waterways into their developments and designs.
To facilitate this, PUB has set up a "green lane" approval channel to expedite proposals with such features.
So far, three private developers have had their proposals expedited for incorporating the ABC features in their design.
PUB said that those who go through this channel may get their approval time cut by half.
Yap Kheng Guan, Director, 3P Network Department, PUB, said, "The green lane is for us to be able to facilitate good ideas that developers might have for the canals, the drains, and if they want to add in features, by all means do so.
"The green lane allows us to look at all these ideas and process them as quickly as possible, and some of these also require the other agencies to come into play, and the green lane also facilitates the cooperation and the coordination with the other agencies."
And with the waterways upgraded and the surrounding areas developed, there will be more water sports activities such as kayaking, canoeing and boat rides.
Other developments include a mangrove kayak trail and boardwalks along Sungei Api Api and Sungei Tampines that will provide an intimate experience for mangrove appreciation.
The PUB is inviting the public to submit ideas for the proposed developments.
The ABC Waters masterplan can be viewed at a free six-day exhibition held at the Asian Civilisations Museum. - CNA/ms
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