Replacement Sites for Lim Chu Kang Farms
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the relocation of 70 Lim Chu Kang farms with expiring leases, as raised by Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis regarding replacement sites and government support. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee explained that the land is required for Singapore Armed Forces training to replace areas used for Tengah New Town, with development beginning in two phases starting in 2022. Agencies have provided support through funding for technology adoption, expedited regulatory approvals, lease extensions, and assistance in securing alternative industrial or rooftop spaces. Currently, eight farms have vacated their plots, 24 have secured replacement sites, and 38 are still searching for new locations or winding up. These efforts facilitate farm modernization while ensuring that critical military training infrastructure development proceeds without further delay.
Transcript
63 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development with regard to the 70 Lim Chu Kang farms that have their leases extended till July 2022 and February 2023 (a) how many farms have been successful at securing a replacement site; (b) whether any financial and non-financial support has been extended to these farms to help with their relocation and, if so, what are they; and (c) what is the expected date for the commencement of development works at the sites for military use.
Mr Desmond Lee: The western part of Lim Chu Kang, which includes vacant land and farm sites, will be needed for the Singapore Armed Forces' operational and training purposes. The development works will take place in two phases. One phase will commence later this year and the other phase will commence next year.
Since 2014, the affected farms have been informed that their leases will not be renewed after they expire. Since then, agencies have provided many forms of support to help the affected farms relocate.
For example, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has facilitated the food farms in tendering for new agri-land plots and other spaces such as rooftop urban farms or industrial spaces, and worked closely with the farms on their transition plans.
NParks has also engaged the non-food farms regularly to guide them in tendering for replacement sites, or to move indoors into industrial space where possible.
Funding support has also been provided to facilitate the adoption of technology and innovative solutions to enhance their productivity and modernise their operations, as part of their relocation.
Agencies have also expedited regulatory approvals for farms that are transiting to new farm plots. We have also provided multiple lease extensions to facilitate the tenants’ participation in various land tenders and to give the farms more time to plan and execute their relocation plans.
The Singapore Armed Forces needs the land for military training to replace military training land that had been given up for the development of Tengah New Town. The development plans for the affected area cannot be delayed any further.
Of the 70 affected farms, eight farms have vacated and returned their plots to the state and 62 farms currently remain in the affected area. Of these 62 farms, 24 farms have successfully secured replacement sites and are in the process of relocating their farms. The remaining 38 farms say that they are still in the process of looking for a replacement site or are winding up.