Identification of Industrial Area along Bukit Batok Street 23 as Funeral Parlour Site

15 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what are the considerations that led to the identification of the industrial area along Bukit Batok Street 23 as one of the four funeral parlour sites to be developed in the next 10 years; and (b) what are the mitigation measures that will be put in place to minimise the impact on residents living nearby.

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M): Mr Speaker, NEA will be launching four new funeral parlour sites for development over the next 10 years or so. This is to meet the growing demand for after-death facilities and services as our population ages. The demand for wake spaces is expected to rise in tandem with the increase in resident deaths, which is projected to double to around 40,000 annually by 2040.

The sites were carefully studied and identified through an inter-agency planning process. They are distributed across Singapore to provide better accessibility for bereaved families and their visitors. The sites were selected after considering factors such as development plans for the surrounding area, the capacity of the road network to support the anticipated traffic and accessibility to public transport.

The site in the industrial area along Bukit Batok Street 23 will cater to the demand for funeral parlour services in the western part of Singapore. The site is surrounded by industrial developments, and is located next to an existing columbarium.

NEA will require the proposed funeral parlour operator to put in place measures to minimise impact on the residents and other nearby stakeholders. These measures can include barriers such as plantings and setback from the road to keep funeral activities discrete, and the provision of eco-friendly burners to minimise smoke emissions. Rituals and funeral processions will be confined within the site as far as possible, to minimise disturbance. The relevant agencies have assessed that the road network in this area is able to support the funeral parlour development and will require the operator to provide sufficient parking facilities within the site. NEA will also work with the other agencies and the operator to reduce the impact of hearses when they move in the area. This can include ensuring accessibility via different routes and avoiding roads within residential estates as far as possible.

As a small and densely populated city state, there will always be competing demands for space to meet Singapore’s various development needs. From time to time, we may have to make adjustments to accommodate these developments. Through careful planning and by taking mitigating measures, the Government will make the best effort to minimise potential disamenities arising from these developments.

Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the hon Minister for his detailed answer to my question. I have a few supplementary questions.

First, may I ask whether distance from the housing estate is a factor to be considered in deciding which funeral site should be zoned, and if so, why is it that the Bukit Batok site was chosen, given that the nearest housing estate is about 200 metres away from the proposed funeral site?

The second question I have is whether in relation to the other three funeral parlour sites, the housing estates are as close or are they further?

The third question I have is in relation to mitigation measures. I am glad to hear that there are proposals to consider designating hearse routes. May I ask whether hearse routes could be designated even though they are vacant or in operation?

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The second question on, hearse routes, when we put out the tender for the funeral operators to build and design the funeral parlour, we will put this as part of the requirements for their proposal – what they will do, where they will route. We also advise them where are the best routes to take, to avoid the residents and HDB flats as far as possible.

The 200 metres was not the exact reason why we did it. For Bukit Batok, first, as I mentioned, there is a dearth of such facilities in the western region. If you look at the map, the nearest one is in Choa Chu Kang. It is not so accessible, very far for many people. If you do not have a car, it is quite difficult to get there. So, we think it is useful to have one in that area.

Secondly, the site is already surrounded by industrial buildings, shielded from the public view. Even so, when the operators come to build, we will ask them to build enough shielding, so that either noise, disamenities, or even sight can be mitigated.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): I have one supplementary question. Among the four sites selected, one of them is in my constituency. I would like to ask the Minister whether there will be consultation with residents before the design is finalised in order to address the concerns of residents because, surely, it will have an impact on my residents who are living in Meng Suan estate?

And, just now, my parliamentary colleague asked about the hearse route. In fact, there have been a lot of feedback from residents because, currently, quite a lot of them are using the route passing by Meng Suan estate. So, I think, as far as possible, try to reduce using that route but, perhaps, can come from another side of Mandai Road.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: I thank the Member for the supplementary question. I think one of the important things we want to recognise is that after-death facilities are important social infrastructure. We, as Singaporeans living in HDB estates, are very used to seeing funeral wakes at the void decks, and now, perhaps, more frequently than before. This is one big-hearted society where we have never minded seeing either funerals or weddings right below where we live. And, as you know, where funerals are conducted, even weddings, there are disamenities, and we have tolerated them for a long, long time, ever since we have had HDB flats. I think we should keep that sense of accommodation, that sense of respect for people who need this in times of bereavement.

At the same time, there are also people who want to choose other options where perhaps, they want a quieter place to grieve for their loved ones. We also want to make sure that the religious beliefs and cultural preferences are also being met.

Given all that, and the fact that, like I mentioned just now, the number of resident deaths is likely to double, we have to prepare now. We have to make sure that we provide for the spaces and give ample notice to everyone who is, in a way, affected by the presence of such social facilities.

We will definitely consult the advisers as well as the grassroots to help us communicate with the residents; and at the same time get feedback on the kind of concerns they may have. We will try, as far as possible, to mitigate the disturbances and disamenities that consequently can arise from putting such facilities near them.

Mr Speaker: So, for a change, Er Dr Lee Bee Wah is not actively canvassing for the facility in her area.