Singapore to begin preparatory works for 'Long Island' coastal protection project by yearend
Singapore, June 30
Preparatory works for 'Long Island', Singapore's large-scale critical coastal protection strategy, will commence from the end of 2026, according to the country's Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Housing Board.
The works will lay the groundwork for future land reclamation of the decades-long, 800-hectare project, aimed at protecting Singapore from rising sea levels.
HDB, the appointed reclamation agent for the project dubbed 'Long Island', and the URA, in a joint press release on Tuesday, said that the measures will be implemented to mitigate the impact of preparatory works on the environment and community, based on findings from an environmental study commissioned by the Housing and Development Board.
The study found that the preparatory works are predicted to have an "overall minor impact" on the surrounding environment.
The preparatory works, to be carried out in two phases, will primarily involve removing seabed obstructions and constructing temporary sand bunds and sand infilling, the agencies said.
The works will be at least 130m away from the shoreline, in the waters off the East Coast, and will be demarcated by silt screens and/or floating barriers.
Unveiled as part of the long-term plan for Singapore's development in 1991, the 'Long Island' is a critical coastal protection measure to safeguard lives and livelihoods, as rising sea levels increasingly affect low-lying coastal areas, including Singapore's East Coast.
Given the scale of the project, preparatory works are essential to lay the groundwork for the future land reclamation for 'Long Island'. This is to support the timely implementation of 'Long Island' to respond to climate risks and meet the country's national needs, the agencies said in the statement.
The first phase will start at the end of 2026 and be carried out in the waters west of Bedok Jetty. It will cover an area of about 570 ha and will span around 7 km in length from east to west, and up to 1 km wide from north to south.
Works for the second phase, which spans about 155 ha, will only start after the 2029 Southeast Asian Games.
However, the preparatory works may cause "slight localised changes" to the currents and waves near Bedok Jetty, which will have a minimal impact on existing water-based activities, HDB and URA said.
Some sea sport users will be displaced due to a reduction in sea space along the East Coast.
"The impact will be mitigated by the phasing of preparatory works, with kiteboarding being the most affected, and minor to moderate impact on other sea sport users," the agencies added.
Beaches along East Coast Park will remain open and accessible for near-shore swimming, while all exercise paths and tracks will stay accessible for jogging and cycling, the statement added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting project, but displacing water sports users for almost a decade seems harsh. Could better compromise have been found? Still, rising sea levels demand bold action.
As someone from Kerala with backwaters, I know climate change is real. Singapore planning 30+ years ahead while we react to disasters is a lesson. Hats off to their foresight! 🇸🇬🇮🇳
Environment impact study says "minor impact" - typical developer speak. Hope the silt screens actually work and marine life isn't harmed. East Coast beaches are precious to Singaporeans.
This is brilliant! Mumbai could learn so much from this - we lose inches of coastline every monsoon. Governments need to start thinking in decades, not election cycles. Truly impressed by Singapore's dedication to sustainability. 💪
800 hectares of reclaimed land - that's massive! Reminds me of how Singapore created Marina Bay. But hope the displaced sea sports folks get alternative spaces. Kiteboarding takers, kya? 😄
As an environmental scientist, I appreciate they're starting preparatory works years in advance and keeping beaches open. More countries need Singapore's climate resilience planning. Just wish they were more transparent about long-term ecological costs.