Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there has been a step up in checks on work sites to ensure any clearance of land is done in accordance with regulations; and (b) how does the Ministry intend to ensure that upcoming projects, such as the Bayshore housing projects, will have the necessary environmental assessments completed before clearance of forests and woodlands is done.
Mr Desmond Lee: Activities on worksites can only proceed after the necessary approvals from relevant agencies have been obtained and their requirements have been met. This can include conducting environmental studies and putting in place the monitoring and mitigation measures to reduce the environment impact of the development.
Relevant agencies conduct checks on worksites regularly. There are stiff penalties for carrying out unauthorised activities at worksites, including land or vegetation clearance, before the necessary approvals are obtained or if the requirements imposed by agencies are not met.
Ministry of National Development
30 November 2022
https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=written-answer-na-12295
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 