Govt to develop Ubin quarry into recreational park

There has always been queries as to whether the quarries on Ubin could be open for recreation since they are all fenced up and out of bounds. This 1998 article shed some light on the possible plans the government has for the island in the future.

Govt to develop Ubin quarry into recreational park.
13 January 1998
Business Times Singapore

THE government is acquiring a granite quarry on Pulau Ubin for an outdoor recreation park on the island.

Responding to BT queries, the Ministry of Law said: "The government has no plans to tender out the site to private developers". But it said that the National Parks Board would be developing outdoor entertainment in keeping with the rustic setting of Pulau Ubin instead.

This puts an end to speculation that the site, which is 36.9 hectares or almost four million sq ft in size, would house a large theme-park type development. The National Parks Board will be developing an outdoor recreation and adventure park on the site.

The quantum of compensation to be paid out to the quarry's owner-operator Aik Hwa Trading Company for the acquisition will be determined by the Land Office, after it has received claims for compensation from the company.

With the acquisition, which was announced in the Dec 26 issue of the government gazette, vacant possession of the site is expected by the end of March.

In May 1996, Minister for National Development Lim Hng Kiang announced that the government had plans for half of Pulau Ubin, or 500 ha of the island, to be turned into a recreational centre with a rural and natural setting.

The private sector is to have a hand in running the facilities, which would include sites for biking, hiking and camping with lookout points for bird watchers.

Already, the government, through the National Parks Board, has awarded two 15-year leasehold Ubin sites in private tenders.

The larger of the plots awarded last year is being turned into a mini-resort with chalets for up to 350 visitors.

Called the Ubin Lagoon Resort, the S$22 million project is being built by joint venture partners Alliance Technology and Development Ltd and Fort Canning Country Club Investment Ltd.

Another smaller plot of land of 2.6 ha was awarded to real estate developer Powerland Holdings Ltd, for a sum of S$3.3 million.

(c) 1998 Singapore Press Holdings Limited