This article was first published on PropertyGuru
The overall impetus and vision for Jurong Lake District have not changed, regardless of the outcome of the high-speed rail (HSR) project between Singapore and Malaysia, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Monday.
His statement comes after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced plans to scrap (or at least delay) the mega rail project with the city-state, sparking concerns among Singapore citizens on the fate of the area.
Over the last couple of years, the Singapore government has invested heavily in the Jurong Lake District with the HSR terminus in mind. The once-sleepy district is now bustling with life with more shopping malls, a new hospital and a hotel by Genting. The Urban Redevelopment Authority envisioned Lakeside to be an “exciting business, residential and leisure destination” that’ll be Singapore’s second CBD once the HSR terminus is completed in 2026.
Wong, however, assured the public that the vision for the district remains unchanged.
“Some details may need to be adjusted along the way, as circumstances change. But the bottom line is that we have an exciting transformation plan for the whole area, and we will proceed with the implementation of these plans when ready.”
The minister noted that the development of Jurong Lake District is part of the government’s broader effort to develop urban centers outside the downtown area.
“We started with the building of our first regional center at Tampines in 1992, and then started the work to transform Jurong in 2008,” said Wong. “So the plans for Jurong Lake District were developed well before Malaysia proposed the HSR project.”
In fact, the government decided to have the Singapore terminus of the HSR in Jurong only in 2015.
He revealed that the transformation plans for the district include the development of a commercial precinct and up to 20,000 new homes, the upgrade of Jurong Lake Gardens and the development of a major transport hub linking the existing North-South and East-West MRT Lines as well as the upcoming Jurong Region and Cross Island Lines.
“These plans are still relevant today. The land parcels that the government has acquired are needed to realize these plans.”
Wong noted that the Jurong Country Club site is needed for mixed-use developments and community facilities, while the Raffles Country Club site will provide for the Cross Island Line’s western depot and other transport related uses.
Text by Christopher Chitty via PropertyGuru. Additional reporting by Coconuts Singapore.
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