Incidents Involving Users of Nature Areas due to Adverse Weather Conditions and Damaged Infrastructure
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the safety of nature area users, as MP Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about incidents caused by weather or infrastructure and the frequency of maintenance. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee reported two weather-related injuries and no infrastructure-related incidents between 2018 and 2022, noting that the National Parks Board (NParks) issues safety advisories. He detailed that NParks performs five-yearly structural inspections and monthly checks, with additional reviews conducted after heavy rain or receiving public feedback. To manage increased interest, the board monitors the load-carrying capacity of relevant structures to ensure visitor safety is not compromised by high usage. Finally, the Minister noted that the park network is being expanded to provide more recreational options and help distribute visitor demand across Singapore.
Transcript
7 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for National Development (a) over the past five years, what is the number of reported incidents involving users of nature areas as a result of adverse weather conditions and damaged infrastructure; (b) how often are such structures maintained; and (c) whether the structures cater for increased load-carrying capacity given Singaporeans' rising interest in nature spaces.
Mr Desmond Lee: From 2018 to 2022, there were two reported incidents of injuries to visitors to our nature reserves and nature parks due to adverse weather conditions. No incidents were reported due to damaged infrastructure in the same period.
To safeguard public safety, the National Parks Board (NParks) puts out advisories to remind the public to avoid entering nature reserves and nature parks during and immediately after inclement weather. They should also seek cover at the nearest available shelter, should it rain when they are in the area.
NParks also conducts structural inspections for all public structures within our nature reserves and nature parks once every five years. In between scheduled inspections, NParks conducts monthly checks and additional inspections if there are prolonged periods of heavy rainfall or upon receiving feedback on infrastructure-related issues. Following each inspection, NParks will carry out repair works as necessary.
NParks also monitors visitor levels in our nature reserves and nature parks to ensure that the carrying capacity of relevant structures is not exceeded. NParks will continue to expand the network of parks, including nature parks, so that Singaporeans have more options for nature-based recreation. This will also help to spread out the demand for such recreational experiences.