A New Sports Complex Cum Community Club!

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A New Sports Complex
cum Community Club!
T
here’s a new buzz going around Holland-Bukit Timah GRC about the
upcoming sports complex cum community club! Expected to be completed
in late 2009, the facility will be located next to Pang Sua pond near Block 544
Jelapang Road.
Gracing its unveiling ceremony on 15 July 2007 at Bukit Panjang Plaza were
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and
Sports, Second Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts and
MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC (Cashew), Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North
West CDC, Coordinating Chairman of 14 PAP Town Councils, Chairman of
Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council and MP for Bukit Panjang Constituency
and Mr Liang Eng Hwa, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC (Zhenghua) and
Vice-Chairman of Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.
The upcoming sports complex cum community club looks set to be a popular
hangout for residents of all ages, given its wide range of facilities such as
tennis courts, gym, cafeteria and others. It will also help promote a healthy
lifestyle and community bonding amongst residents from Bukit Panjang
Constituency, Cashew and Zhenghua divisions.
In his speech, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan mentioned that the building will be at the
centre of a series of park connectors, allowing residents easy access to other
parks such as Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. He also paid tribute to key people
such as Dr Teo Ho Pin and Mr David Lim, the former MP for Holland-Bukit
Panjang GRC (Cashew), who have been campaigning for a sports complex in
Bukit Panjang for the last 10 years.
Together with the residents, they feasted their eyes on the artist’s impression
of the new sports complex cum community club. Other exhibits of upcoming
facilities such as a pavilion and barbeque corners near Blocks 144 and 145
Petir Road and a community garden at the open field between Blocks 134 and
136 Petir Road also made their debut.
02 I Holland - Bukit Panjang Town Council
Sebuah Kompleks
Sukan dan
Kelab Masyarakat!
B
erita hangat telahpun dimaklumkan di Bukit Panjang
tentang kehadiran sebuah kompleks sukan dan kelab
masyarakat di kawasan Holland-Bukit Panjang. Bangunan
tersebut akan terletak berhampiran kolam Pang Sua
berdekatan Blok 544, Jelapang Road. Ia dijangka siap pada
lewat tahun 2009.
Upacara pelancarannya diadakan pada 15 July di Bukit Panjang
Plaza dan telah dikunjungi oleh tetamu terhormat seperti
Encik Vivian Balakrisnan, Menteri Pembangunan Masyarakat,
Belia dan Sukan merangkap Menteri kedua (Penerangan,
Perhubungan dan Kesenian), MP bagi Holland-Bukit Timah
(Cashew) dan Penasihat Holland-Bukit Timah GRO, Dr Teo Ho
Pin, Datuk Bandar bagi CDC Barat Laut, penyelaras Pengerusi 14
Majlis Perbandaran PAP, Pengerusi Majlis Perbandaran HollandBukit Panjang, MP bagi Holland-Bukit Panjang Konstituensi dan
juga Encik Liang Eng Hwa, MP bagi Holland-Bukit Timah GRC
(Zhenghua) dan Penasihat Holland-Bukit Timah GRO
Dengan adanya berbagai-bagai kemudahan seperti ruang
tennis, gim dan kafeteria, bangunan kompleks sukan/kelab
masyarakat nampaknya sungguh menarik. Ia juga akan
menguatkan lagi silaturahim antara penduduk daripada
kawasan Bukit Panjang, Cashew dan Zhenghua serta mengalualukan kehidupan yang lebih sihat.
Dalam ucapannya, Encik Vivian Balakrisnan menerangkan
bahawa bangunan kompleks sukan/kelab masyarakat ini
akan dibangunkan di pertengahan ‘park connectors’ atau
penyambung taman. Ini membolehkan penduduk-penduduk
mengunjungi taman riadah yang lain seperti Bukit Timah
Nature Reserve dengan mudah. Encik Vivian juga memberi
penghormatan kepada Dr Teo Ho Pin dan Encik David Lim.
Keduanya telah lama berkempen untuk menyelenggarakan
sebuah kompleks sukan di kawasan Bukit Panjang.
Tetamu terhormat Encik Vivian, Dr Teo Ho Pin, Encik Liang Eng
Hwa dan penduduk-penduduk menawarkahn pandangan
mereka kepada pameran lukisan mengenai kompleks sukan/
kelab masyarakat. Turut menumpang adalah pameran
pembangunan baru yang lain seperti astaka dan dapur barbeku
berdekatan Blok 144 dan 145 Petir Rd dan sebuah kebun di Blok
134 dan 136 Petir Rd.
talk of the town I 03
Keeping our neighbourhood
sparkling clean together!
O
n the 28th of July this year, residents of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC assembled at
Singapore’s OK! Sculpture Park near Block 12 Holland Avenue with Guest-ofHonour Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Prime Minister’s Office, MP for Holland-Bukit
Timah GRC (Buona Vista) and Adviser to Holland-Bukit Timah GROs. They were there to
do their part in helping to keep their environment litter-free for the “SWAT Litterbugs”
event which was jointly organised by NEA, North West CDC and Holland-Bukit Panjang
Town Council. The objective of the day was further strengthened with the presence
of participating schools such as Republic Polytechnic, New Town Primary School and
others.
Together, the group went around clearing litter from the estates around the park while
helping to spread the important message of maintaining a litter-free environment.
They came away much wiser about the need to help maintain Singapore’s ‘Clean and
Green’ image.
“The event has taught me we should not just litter wherever we like.” said Choon Liang,
a student from Yishun Town Secondary School.
In his speech, Minister Lim highlighted the crucial need for everyone to play their
parts to help keep the environment litter-free which will go a long way in keeping a lid
down on potential breeding places for mosquitoes and diseases such as SARS. He also
touched on the worrying trends of litterbugs whose age spectrum are getting younger
(65% -70% litterbugs caught are aged 30 and below). With that, he gave out tokens of
appreciation to the participating agencies and schools before joining everyone for a
humorous skit about the dangers of killer-litter.
04 I Holland - Bukit Panjang Town Council
talk of the town I 05
Better Skilled and Better Paid
Conservancy Workers
Town Councils step in to raise skills levels and remuneration for local conservancy workers
T
he 14 PAP Town Councils aim to raise
the productivity and increase the pay of
all their local conservancy cleaners, as well
as to raise standards of cleanliness of HDB
estates.
On 7th August this year, Dr Teo Ho Pin,
Mayor of North West CDC, Coordinating
Chairman of 14 PAP Town Councils,
Chairman of Holland-Bukit Panjang Town
Council and MP for Bukit Panjang
Constituency introduced some upcoming
changes to professionalise the conservancy
sector in a media conference, focusing on
introducing compulsory training, raising
the productivity and the pay of the
conservancy cleaning jobs and moving
towards performance-based contracts.
Under these changes, workers will now
have to undergo a compulsory National
06 I Holland - Bukit Panjang Town Council
Skills Recognition System (NSRS) course
– a practical hands-on session entitled
‘Clean Residential Estates (Manual)’ NSRS
CRE course which will see them learning the
different natures of their job requirements
such as safer and right techniques to clean
lift landings and lift cars.
The course fees will be heavily subsided
by WDA under its Skill Development Fund
and the NTUC. After the training, workers
are expected to be paid 5% to 10% more in
gross pay.
Complementing the training efforts, the
14 PAP Town Councils will also be moving
towards performance-based conservancy
contracts and tender evaluation system.
The new performance-based contracts
will have improved tender specifications
such as compulsory training for workers,
recommended starting salaries for trained
workers and others.
An improved standardized system of tender
evaluation based on Price Quality Method
will also apply to all new conservancy
contracts starting in 2008.
It would
incorporate a ‘Score Card Report’ in which
contractors would be awarded contracts
based on both qualitative factors (their
financial strength, track records across all
Town Councils, etc.) and quantitative factors
such as price.
With the joint efforts from the 14 PAP
Town Councils, NTUC and WDA, the local
conservancy cleaning industry in Singapore
looks set to shine with professionalism in
the near future.
A Makeover at Sunset Way !!
T
he rejuvenated Sunset Way’s neighbourhood centre from Block 105 to 109 in Clementi is the
first success story under the HDB’s ‘Restructuring Programme for Shops’ . After all the tenants at
Block 106 had vacated the premises, Trades Association began talks with HDB and Mr Christopher
de Souza, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC (Ulu Pandan), Vice-Chairman of Holland Bukit-Panjang
Town Council and Adviser to Holland-Bukit Timah GROs to tap on the great potential of
Sunset Way. With that, a makeover was soon in progress!
Earmarked as the next dining hot spot, restaurants, cafes and pub soon blossomed within
the estate, leaving residents and diners spoilt for choice when it comes to food and
entertainment.
Sunset Way’s makeover will be further enhanced with HDB and Holland-Bukit
Panjang Town Council pumping an estimated $1.5 million to improve the
neighbourhood centre. Future plans include the construction of plaza, provision
of shop awnings, replacing existing interlocking tiles on common passageways,
erecting banner posts with landmark signs and more directional signages.
30 AUGUST 2007
talk of the town I 07
Jurong East Residents Want
LIFT UPGRADING!
The results are out! On the 20th of July this year,
90.14% and 86.76% Jurong East residents from
Block 201 and 203 gave thumbs up for the Lift
Upgrading Programme (LUP) in their estates!
The LUP could not have come at a better time.
Though Mr Sim lives on the 2nd floor of Block
201, he recounted his experience of making his
way weakly down the stairs just to get to the
Residents going
through the voting
process
08 I Holland - Bukit Panjang Town Council
ambulance. For homemakers, buying
groceries can be a chore if it means
carrying the heavy items up and
down the stairs, even with the help of
trolleys.
Hence, having lifts are not just a luxury
– they have become a vital need for us,
especially in times of emergencies.
”I knew how much
all of us really need
the lift when one
day I had to carry a
pack of rice using the
stairs.” said Mdm Lai of Block 203
NEW COVERED
L I N K WAY S
BLK 2-3 TOH YI DRIVE
O
n the 24th of June this year, Toh Yi Drive residents from Block 2 and 3
celebrated the completion of their new covered linkway and drop-off point
in their estates. Gracing the occasion was Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of
State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, MP for Holland-Bukit
Timah GRC (Bukit Timah) and Adviser to Holland-Bukit Timah GROs who
officiated the event with a plaque unveiling ceremony.
Measuring about 27m long, the new linkway stretches between the two blocks
and hence join other linkways in the neighbouring blocks. This means residents
can now conveniently make their way down to the wet market, sheltered from
the rain and sun. The linkway also comes with iron railings to help the elderly
and physically handicapped make their ways around the estates.
With that, Mrs Yu-Foo announced that the residents will have more facilities such
as a cultural centre and a reading club for children in the near future besides
ramps, covered linkways and drop-off points. She wrapped up her speech by
crediting the people behind the completed facilities.
T
BLK 473 SEGAR ROAD - FAJAR LR
A
t 450m long, it snakes its way from Block 473 Segar Rd
to Fajar LRT. Its impending height of 4.5m tall towers
over the residents, sheltering them from the rain and sun.
IT is the new covered linkway, a welcoming shade and
shelter for the residents of Segar Estate. It was constructed
based on feedback of the residents who travel to and fro
the nearby Fajar Shopping Centre and the LRT. Thus, there
is no better way to celebrate its presence than to have an
official opening for it on the 30th of June this year.
The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Liang
Eng Hwa, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC (Zhenghua),
Vice Chairman of Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council
and Adviser to Holland-Bukit
Timah GROs and he was
warmly welcomed by the
energetic lion dance troupe
from West Spring Secondary
School. After unveiling the
plaque to mark the official
launch of the linkway, he
“tested” out the walkway with
the grassroots leaders and
residents.
talk of the town I 09
DENGUE
DENGUE: KNOW THE FACTS,
DO YOUR PART!
WHAT IS DENGUE?
It is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of an infected Aedes
mosquito. This may result in the victim falling ill with a Dengue
Haemorrhagic fever.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE DENGUE?
Dengue symptoms include high fever, rashes, severe headaches,
muscle and joint aches and pain behind the eyes. Nausea,
vomiting and loss of appetite are common too.
WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE DENGUE?
Protect yourself from more mosquito bites as they may infect
others around you. Plenty of rest and fluids are essential as dengue
dehydrates the body. In some cases, blood transfusions are vital
to control bleeding.
HOW CAN I HELP PREVENT DENGUE?
Just exercise daily habits such as the following:
• Cover rarely used gully traps or replace them with nonperforated ones and install anti-mosquito valves.
• Cover bamboo pole holders after use. Rainwater can
accumulate in these bamboo pole holders if left uncovered
for mosquitoes to breed.
• Remove stagnant water from scupper drains
• Remove water from your plants and change them regularly
• Clear blockages from the roof gutter
DENGGI: KENALI ISU YANG SEBENAR,
LAKUKAN YANG SEPATUTNYA
APA MAKNANYA DENGGI?
Ia adalah sebuah virus flu yang disebarkan akibat gigitan nyamuk
Aedes. Mangsa yang digigitnya membolehkannya menjatuh sakit
dan menghidapai Deman Pendaraan Denggi.
APAKAH TANDA-TANDANYA?
Tanda-tanda Denggi adalah demam panas, gatal-gatal, sakit
kepala dan otot-otot dan di bahagian mata. Mangsa yang
menghidapi denggi juga akan mengalami muntah-muntah,
pitam dan kehilangan selera untuk makan.
APAKAH HARUS DILAKUKAN SEKIRANYA SAYA
MENGHIDAPI DEMAM DENGGI?
Lindungi diri anda daripada gigitan nyamuk yang lain kerana ia
boleh menjangkiti keluarga anda. Anda akan memerlukan banyak
istirehat dan meminum banyak air kerana penyakit Denggi
mengeringkan badan anda. Kadangkala, mangsa nyamuk Aedes
harus menjalani aliran darah untuk mengawali pendarahan.
APAKAH TINDAKAN YANG PERLU SAYA AMBIL
UNTUK MENCEGAH PEMBIAKAN DENGGI?
Anda boleh melakukan tindakan selanjutnya:
• Tutup saluran longkang yang jarang digunakan ataupun
gantikan penutupnya dengan penutup yang tidak
berlubang. Pasangkan juga penutup pencegah nyamuk.
• Tutup lubang galah setelah digunakan. Pertakungan air
hujan didalamnya boleh menjadi tempat pembiakan
nyamuk.
• Buang air yang bertakungan didalam penutup saluran air.
• Buang air yang bertakungan di pasu anda dan tukarkannya
setiap hari.
• Bersihkan sumbatan di celah-celah bumbung di rumah anda.
10 I Holland - Bukit Panjang Town Council
Whenspeaks
action
louder than words
Segar residents opened their hearts and minds to Mr Liang Eng Hwa and his team to build a
better, cohesive community
E
ncouraged by the previous town hall meeting, Mr Liang Eng Hwa,
Vice-Chairman of Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council, MP for
Holland-Bukit Timah GRC (Zhenghua) & Adviser to Holland-Bukit Timah
GROs was raring to get the ball rolling at the recent session held at
Block 475A Segar Road which was held on 30th June this year.
“The feedback was most useful. It was time
well spent and we should continue to hold
such sessions periodically”, Mr Liang Eng Hwa
commended everyone as the meeting came to
an end.
And it was no less vibrant than the last. Residents bared their souls to
the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council as part of the team that was
also made up of Segar RC, Zhenghua CCC, NParks, Neighbourhood
Police Centre (NPC), National Environment Agency (NEA), Land
Transport Authority (LTA), and Housing Development Board (HDB). The
concerns that were highlighted ranged from the need to widen current
shelters and drop-off points (which get congested on rainy days with
students dropping off from the school buses) to personal plights such
as a resident’s unit that was continually flooded despite repairs.
“We live in a peaceful and beautiful town. Such
dialogues give voice to our concerns and allow us
to express our gratitute to the relevant authorities
who have helped us live much more cohesively”,
said Mdm Sabariah, a resident of Block 477 who
had turned up with her fellow neighbour, Madam
Siti. Like everyone else, they walked away feeling
upbeat that their voices have been heard.
talk of the town I 11
!
d
e
t
t
o
Sp Giant Potato Trees
growing in our Backyard!
T
ake a walk at our park around Holland-Bukit Panjang Town and
be surprised. Your five senses will be invigorated as you feast
your eyes, sniff sweetly at the beautiful greenery that has been
planted just for you. For a start, let us introduce the Giant Potato Tree,
scientifically known as Solanum Wrightii.
A tropical plant that has its roots in South America, the Giant Potato
Tree is also commonly known as the ‘Brazilian Potato Tree’ It is part
of the large Solanum family which consists of almost 1500 species,
ranging from vegetables, ornamental small trees to weeds.
As such, the Giant Potato Tree is also grown for decorative
purposes.
A fruit-bearing tree, it towers over 15 feet (4.6m) tall. Hence,
it is comparatively short and is often classified as a small tree
or even shrubs. However, it makes up for its lack of height
with its heavenly fragrance of its flowers which varies from
white, pink to lavender. As you take a closer sniff of it, do
watch out for its thorns found on the undersides of its
large leaves!
So go on, explore and experience nature at its very best,
right at your doorstep!
The Solanum Wrightii can be found
at Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood
5 Park.
12 I Holland - Bukit Panjang Town Council
A park to call their own!
T
he afternoon sun was merciless on their tiny
backs as they huddled amidst the greenery.
However, never once did these New Town
Primary School students think of giving up as
they plucked out the weeds in their new adopted
garden at Singapore’s OK! Sculpture Park.
On the 23rd of August this year, these young
‘green thumbs’ learnt quickly under the expert
guidance of Mr David Koh, the horticulture officer
of Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council. From that
day on, they will be coming back regularly at least
once a month to manage their little pride of land.
Besides weeding, these proud owners will prune
and water the greenery while keeping their land
beautiful and litter-free.
Our hard work is worth it if it makes
our garden beautiful
talk of the town I 13
NATIONAL DAY
Awardees
Our Town Council would like to congratulate the following Town Councillors
who have been conferred the Public Service Star (BBM) and Public Service
Medal (PBM) for this year’s National Day Awards.
Mr Jayaram s/o Letchumanan, PBM
(awarded Public Service Star, BBM)
Mdm Soh Bong Chee, Shirley,
(awarded Public Service Medal, PBM)
Mr Tan Wee Meng,
(awarded Public Service Medal, PBM)
Rise of the Machines!
With SAM and AXS machines situated islandwide, you can pay your S&CC charges anytime, anywhere.
For utmost convenience, look no further for the list of these machines located within the Holland-Bukit
Panjang Town.
CATION
AXS MACHINE LO
S
CATION
S.A.M MACHINE LO
S
Bukit Panjang Plaza
Blk 21 Ghim Moh Road #01-225
Blk 308 Clementi Avenue 4
Blk 259 Bukit Panjang Ring Road
Clementi MRT Station
Bukit Panjang Plaza
Esso Jalan Jurong Kechil
Buona Vista MRT Station
Fajar Shopping Centre
Fajar Shopping Centre
Greenridge Shopping Centre
Greenridge Shopping Centre
Blk 14 Holland Avenue (HDB Buona Vista Branch Office)
IMM Building
Blk 256 Bangkit Road #01-71 (Holland-Bukit Panjang TC)
Jurong East MRT Station
IMM Building
The Chevron
Blk 286E Toh Guan Road
20 Leedon Heights #B1-01 The Club House
With the availability of Internet banking, you can also pay your S&CC charges without getting out of the house.
Simply do so by logging in to your respective bank’s website (DBS, UOB, OCBC or Standard Chartered Bank)
14 I Holland - Bukit Panjang Town Council
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talk of the town I 15
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