Desmond Lee on minimising environmental impact from ‘Long Island’ reclamation project

Detailed environmental studies will be conducted to assess the environmental impact and develop mitigating measures for the "Long Island" reclamation project, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee. Replying to MPs’ questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Jan 9), he said these studies will take into account the surrounding marine habitats. The Government will also explore ways to incorporate nature-based solutions into the design to minimise the environmental impact. Mr Lee said the Government will engage the nature community, academics and researchers, as well as the public before starting reclamation work. As for the planned developments at East Coast Parkway and “Long Island”, Mr Lee said they offer an integrated solution to meet the multiple needs of future generations, including the building of new homes with a quality living environment, comprising coastal and reservoir parks and amenities, as well as creating new jobs. Mr Lee said by reclaiming “Long Island” away from the current coastline, Singapore can achieve coastal protection, strengthen its water supply and create new tracts of land, while retaining the existing East Coast Park largely as it is. Given its scale, planning and implementing of “Long Island” will take a few decades, he said. “We are only at the very beginning of the process,” he said. After the environmental and engineering studies to determine the feasibility as well as the shape and form of “Long Island”, agencies will do further studies to ensure that the area is well-developed with quality housing, network of new green spaces integrated with East Coast Park and good transport connectivity.