How you can give feedback on Bukit Brown in the Draft Master Plan 2013

by Ian Chong

I would like to encourage readers who have an interest in protecting Bukit Brown and other parts of  Singapore’s natural and cultural heritage to send in your thoughts about the recent draft Land Use  Plan to the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Apart from the regular feedback channel on the Land Use Plan site, you can send your feedback directly to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of  National Development, MND_benny_lim@mnd.gov.sg. Under Singapore’s statutes on the matter, such non-frivolous feedback should receive a due response from the Ministry of National Development.

Basically, when the URA seeks approval of the Minister for National Development to amend the  Master Plan, as is the case presently (the previous Master Plan was 2008) it must:

“publish a notice by advertisement of the submission specifying —
(a) a period of not less than 2 weeks within which objections to and representations  concerning the proposed amendment may be made;  and (b)the place where a certified copy of the proposal is deposited for public inspection during such period”: rule 4.

Anyone who wishes to object to or make representations concerning a proposal to amend the Master Plan may then make a written submission “accompanied by a statement of the reasons or explanations therefor” to the Permanent Secretary of  MND within the specified period: rule 5.

Unless the objection or representation “is of a frivolous nature”, the Minister “shall afford to any person whose objection or representation was received by him within the period specified… an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person or persons appointed by the Minister for the purpose, or cause a public inquiry to be held…”: rule 6(1).

Even though people making representations cannot insist on a public inquiry – whether an inquiry takes place depends on the Minister. However, given the use of the word “shall”, the language suggests that the Minister cannot refuse the opportunity of being heard. The Minister then has to decide whether the Master Plan should be amended given the objections or representations from a  public inquiry: rule 6(2). (Part III of the Rules — rules 10 to 14 — sets out the procedure if there is a public inquiry.

Read the statutes here  and here

As many know, the URA recently released a draft Land Use Plan and is inviting members of the  public to provide feedback until December 19 this year. After that time, proposals in the plan will  become gazetted and part of policy. Included in the draft Land Use Plan are proposals to zone much of Bukit Brown as a residential area, even though there are no further details at present.

Large areas of Bukit Brown are “reserve land” for future development, even if areas of “cemetery” remain on the Land Use Plan. The eight-lane highway that cuts across Bukit Brown is also part of  the current plans. Maps released along with the draft Land Use Plan detail these developments.

We experienced how development can affect our daily lives – from flooding and crowding on public transport to the destruction of heritage and nature. This makes it imperative that we, as citizens, let  the government agencies that are supposed to represent our interests understand our legitimate concerns. Your response matters and concerns matter whether they are about protecting heritage like Bukit Brown and Jalan Kubor, which is also slated for construction, or redevelopment in your neighbourhood.

(Note: This is a lay person’s perspective, I welcome someone with legal knowledge to correct me.)

Read more by Ian Chong  on Bukit Brown, Development and Possibilities for Singapore