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Aljunied GRC to get more upgrading works
Five-year plan for hotly contested constituency to be announced today
By Teo Wan Gek
RESIDENTS in Aljunied GRC can look forward to even more upgrading of facilities, on top of the $160 million worth that it has undergone since the last general election.
There will be an announcement today on plans to further improve the five-member group representation constituency, which was the most hotly contested at the last polls in 2006.
At least five other GRCs - East Coast, Jalan Besar, Ang Mo Kio, Marine Parade and Hong Kah - are also set to unveil multi-million-dollar five-year estate improvement plans in the coming weeks.
PAP town councils typically announce details of their five-year plans about half a year ahead of a general election.
Said Aljunied Town Council chairman Cynthia Phua of its upcoming five-year plan: 'It's a very comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing the physical infrastructure and social well-being of residents. It is to ensure that Aljunied remains a thriving, vibrant and people-centred township.'
Promoting neighbourliness and the kampung spirit will also be on the agenda, she added.
Aljunied's last five-year plan cost $160 million and focused on promoting sports and family bonding. Each of the GRC's five wards gained either a sports park or an adventure park.
One clear theme emerging in this round of five-year plans is enhancements to make estates more elderly-friendly.
Take Serangoon, for example. It is a ward in Aljunied GRC with many residents now in their 40s and 50s.
Plans are afoot to convert a community park and some playgrounds into wellness and fitness corners better suited to the needs of residents as they grow older.
Aljunied's plans also include promoting the kampung spirit and neighbourliness, and becoming more eco-friendly.
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, the MP for the GRC's Aljunied-Hougang ward, said such approaches can help convince young couples that Aljunied is the best place to sink roots and bring up their children.
Foreign Minister George Yeo, who heads the Aljunied GRC team, also hinted of improvements to Hougang town, the area around Hougang Avenue 10.
Most of the area falls under Aljunied GRC - but a portion comes under neighbouring opposition-held Hougang constituency. And any plans for new developments in Hougang town would be on top of the GRC's five-year plan.
Minister Yeo did not provide any details on what improvements are in store, but said in a post on his Facebook page last month that he had 'an excellent meeting with HDB folks on exciting remaking of Hougang and Kangkar'.
As for other five-year plans, Marine Parade Town Council chairman Lim Biow Chuan said plans for his six-member GRC were in their final stages and will be 'targeted and localised'.
Marine Parade ward, for example, is a mature estate and plans there would be targeted at the needs of the elderly. This would be different for Braddell Heights ward, where there are more young residents, he said.
Residents look forward to the plans. Mr Lucas Koh, 37, a Hougang Street 31 resident for over 10 years, hopes to have more exercise facilities near his home.
'I'm getting older and trying to incorporate exercise into my daily regime. But there's a lack of jogging tracks and fitness corners around here,' he said.
Old Airport Road resident Annie Chua, 51, who loves line dancing, wants to see more recreational facilities and space so she and her friends 'can have more room to dance'.
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Five-year plan for hotly contested constituency to be announced today
By Teo Wan Gek
RESIDENTS in Aljunied GRC can look forward to even more upgrading of facilities, on top of the $160 million worth that it has undergone since the last general election.
There will be an announcement today on plans to further improve the five-member group representation constituency, which was the most hotly contested at the last polls in 2006.
At least five other GRCs - East Coast, Jalan Besar, Ang Mo Kio, Marine Parade and Hong Kah - are also set to unveil multi-million-dollar five-year estate improvement plans in the coming weeks.
PAP town councils typically announce details of their five-year plans about half a year ahead of a general election.
Said Aljunied Town Council chairman Cynthia Phua of its upcoming five-year plan: 'It's a very comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing the physical infrastructure and social well-being of residents. It is to ensure that Aljunied remains a thriving, vibrant and people-centred township.'
Promoting neighbourliness and the kampung spirit will also be on the agenda, she added.
Aljunied's last five-year plan cost $160 million and focused on promoting sports and family bonding. Each of the GRC's five wards gained either a sports park or an adventure park.
One clear theme emerging in this round of five-year plans is enhancements to make estates more elderly-friendly.
Take Serangoon, for example. It is a ward in Aljunied GRC with many residents now in their 40s and 50s.
Plans are afoot to convert a community park and some playgrounds into wellness and fitness corners better suited to the needs of residents as they grow older.
Aljunied's plans also include promoting the kampung spirit and neighbourliness, and becoming more eco-friendly.
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, the MP for the GRC's Aljunied-Hougang ward, said such approaches can help convince young couples that Aljunied is the best place to sink roots and bring up their children.
Foreign Minister George Yeo, who heads the Aljunied GRC team, also hinted of improvements to Hougang town, the area around Hougang Avenue 10.
Most of the area falls under Aljunied GRC - but a portion comes under neighbouring opposition-held Hougang constituency. And any plans for new developments in Hougang town would be on top of the GRC's five-year plan.
Minister Yeo did not provide any details on what improvements are in store, but said in a post on his Facebook page last month that he had 'an excellent meeting with HDB folks on exciting remaking of Hougang and Kangkar'.
As for other five-year plans, Marine Parade Town Council chairman Lim Biow Chuan said plans for his six-member GRC were in their final stages and will be 'targeted and localised'.
Marine Parade ward, for example, is a mature estate and plans there would be targeted at the needs of the elderly. This would be different for Braddell Heights ward, where there are more young residents, he said.
Residents look forward to the plans. Mr Lucas Koh, 37, a Hougang Street 31 resident for over 10 years, hopes to have more exercise facilities near his home.
'I'm getting older and trying to incorporate exercise into my daily regime. But there's a lack of jogging tracks and fitness corners around here,' he said.
Old Airport Road resident Annie Chua, 51, who loves line dancing, wants to see more recreational facilities and space so she and her friends 'can have more room to dance'.
[email protected]