Green House soft launches on 24 March 2007

Since it's first mention on this blog in October 2006, Green Volunteers Network's (GVN) Project Green House Ubin has come a long way. Within just 5 months, the previously empty building in the main town of Ubin near the jetty has experienced an entirely green transformation!


August 2006

When GVN Head, Grant Pereira's intention of tendering this building for the Green House was first announced, a quick visit to the house saw a "State Property" sign still adhered to its frontage. Tendering for a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) was in order. But that was soon taken care of.

As soon as that was taken care of, Grant's plans were quickly put into motion.



By February 2007, just a few short months later, a new look was in the works for the previously unoccupied building, instilling in it a new lease of life!


Left: Happy workers look on at the Green House. Right: Grant and his GVN volunteers at the Ubin Hub launch in October 2006

With the house near completion, the soft launch is scheduled this Saturday, 24 March 2007 around noon. In addition to the launch of the house that comes complete with solar power, rainwater harvesting and heat deflecting material to keep the house cool and provide lighting, GVN is also launching its Kids Konservation Klub's Ubin Adventure!



A really cool companion guide to all things Ubin and green, the Ubin Adventure comes complete with cheerful illustrations and facts about flora, fauna on Ubin. It also serves as a guide to the GVN guided walks at the sensory trail. Certain suitable for all ages, even one at my age cannot resist the fun and allure of this new publication. Can't wait to put it to good use!


Coming to live! Photo taken by Adelle on 16 March 2007

Always a generous and reliable source on all things Ubin, Adelle shared with me these photos she took of the green house last week. She commented that since the photos were taken, the house is even more colourful now!

The Green House does promise to be a most colourful and exciting addition which sets to breathe new life into Ubin town. I can't wait to see it on Saturday!

Development of Chek Jawa wetlands

Interesting bit of communications from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore regarding Chek Jawa. According to this notice, works will be carried out at Chek Jawa till August this year but the launch of the boardwalk is scheduled to happen around July 2007!


Boardwalk in progress at Chek Jawa, taken by Dr Chua Ee Kiam on 25 Feb 2007

According to some sources, the boardwalk is pretty much complete, awaiting the recovery of our beloved intertidal area. Either way, a bit of buffer time and alertness amongst mariners passing by Chek Jawa is always good. We definitely wouldn't want any ships accidentally bumping into our reefs!


Boardwalk in progress at Chek Jawa, taken by Dr Chua Ee Kiam on 25 Feb 2007

In a notice released to mariners on 19 February 2007, the Port Marine Notice No.24 of 2007 was reproduced by PORTWORLD on 21 Feb 2007.

"Works for the development of the Chek Jawa wetlands at Pulau Ubin will be carried out from 21 February to 21 August 2007.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's Port Marine Notice No.24 of 2007 dated 19 February 2007, the works will be conducted 24 hours daily - including Sundays and Public Holidays - at Pulau Ubin, within a working area bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum):

1) 01 deg. 24.487'N / 103 deg. 59.333'E
2) 01 deg. 24.370'N / 103 deg. 59.357'E
3) 01 deg. 24.383'N / 103 deg. 59.420'E
4) 01 deg. 24.432'N / 103 deg. 59.410'E
5) 01 deg. 24.447'N / 103 deg. 59.465'E
6) 01 deg. 24.427'N / 103 deg. 59.497'E
7) 01 deg. 24.427'N / 103 deg. 59.548'E
8) 01 deg. 24.447'N / 103 deg. 59.575'E
9) 01 deg. 24.468'N / 103 deg. 59.585'E
10) 01 deg. 24.517'N / 103 deg. 59.585'E
11) 01 deg. 24.530'N / 103 deg. 59.573'E
12) 01 deg. 24.550'N / 103 deg. 59.597'E
13) 01 deg. 24.598'N / 103 deg. 59.552'E
14) 01 deg. 24.598'N / 103 deg. 59.458'E

Replacement of the existing jetty and construction of a coastal boardwalk at Chek Jawa wetlands will be carried out within the working area.

Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.

When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to:
(a) keep well clear and not enter the working area
(b) maintain a proper lookout
(c) proceed at a safe speed
(d) maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 21
(d) communicate with Sembawang Control on VHF 21 for assistance, if required."