Mr Philip Malone
Acting British High Commissioner;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

From Garden City to City in the Garden

A few days ago, I spoke in Parliament about making Singapore attractive and comfortable for all who live in or visit our city. I pointed out that for us Singaporeans, this city is our only city. This is where our home is and we owe it to ourselves to make it the best home.

2. Over the years, we have worked hard to create a verdant tropical environment for all to enjoy, so much so that Singapore is well known as a Garden City throughout the region.

3. But we cannot and must not stop here. Our greening effort is still very much work-in-progress. Many other cities are aspiring to become garden cities as well. If we stand still, we may lose our premier Garden City status.

4. What then are our plans going forward to make Singapore an even more attractive green city? Let me take some moments today to share with you our vision and plans.

5. We want to develop Singapore into a “City in the Garden” – a city that sits within lush greenery, with sprawling green lungs set among buildings and built up amenities, and shaded from the hot sun by the overarching canopies of abundant clusters of trees. To realize this vision, we will continue to develop our greenery infrastructure, add value to our parks and nature reserves, and encourage community and private sector partnership.

Developing Greenery Infrastructure

6. We will expand our greenery throughout the island. It will be sprinkled with nature reserves and parks of various sizes, which will be linked by park connectors to create a garden of gardens.

7. We have set aside another 1,000 hectares of parkland to be developed by 2015. By 2010, NParks will develop some 20 new parks and redevelop 6 existing parks.

8. Our Park Connector Network will expand by another 10 km this year, from its current 58 km. By the end of this year, we will be able to cycle from Pasir Ris Park through Tampines and Siglap to East Coast Park.

Adding Value to Our Parks

9. We will add value and bring forth the distinct characteristics of our parks and nature areas, to cater to the recreational needs of our people. For example, NParks is developing a new orchard park at Sengkang and a new horticultural park at Pasir Panjang.

10. NParks is also improving the accessibility to our parks and nature areas so that more Singaporeans can experience nature first-hand. The park connectors will bring residents in our housing estates to our parks. Innovative projects like the TreeTop Walk, boardwalks, and walking trails at MacRitchie will allow the public to experience nature at close range.

Encouraging Community and Private Sector Partnership

11. I would also like to emphasise the importance of public, private and people sector partnerships as we work towards evolving Singapore into a “City in the Garden”. The Government cannot do this alone.
We need to encourage community participation in greenery activities and inculcate a sense of appreciation for greenery in our people. This would bring about a greater sense of ownership for our Garden City. NParks will step up its community and corporate outreach programmes, such as the Garden City Fund, Adopt-a-Park Scheme, and Park Watch Scheme.

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Redevelopment of Labrador Park

12. Labrador Park is an example of how we have sought to add value through careful re-development plans, together with the community and private sectors. Labrador Park is well-known for its natural rocky seashore and coastal vegetation, and has been gazetted as a nature reserve in 2002. However, it is more than a nature reserve. Labrador is also a park rich in history. In its midst are historical war relics and bunkers that date back to the 19th century, when the British identified Labrador as a strategic site for the defence of Singapore.

13. In re-developing Labrador Park, NPark has taken special care to preserve this unique blend of natural and historical features, while complementing them with modern facilities to make the park convenient for its users.

Tunnels & Cannon

14. I am particularly pleased that we have managed to preserve the tunnels at Labrador in their original state as much as possible. The ammunition store in the tunnels is the only place in Singapore where the destruction from World War II can still be seen.

15. Those with keen interest in war artillery will appreciate a six-inch cannon on display here. Estimated to be about a hundred years old, it was uncovered from one meter below the ground at the former Beach Road Camp. Not only is it a valuable antique, it is the only authentic six-inch cannon exhibited in Singapore. We have to thank the National Archives for making possible the refurbishment of the cannon.

16. The tunnels and the canon will now feature as part of the History Trail at Labrador Park. The launch of these features today is timely as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia Pacific. Through these features, we hope that Labrador Park can help Singaporeans discover and appreciate our past, and learn precious lessons as we look ahead to the future.

Community and Private Sector Partnership

17. I am also heartened to know that there is strong community participation in Labrador Park. Volunteers from the Nature Society, Green Volunteers Network, and Blue Waters Volunteers from NUS have partnered NParks to ensure that the Park is well taken care of. Students from Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Ngee Ann Polytechnic have designed a butterfly garden and marine biodiversity themed shelters, and conducted guided walks for visitors. Zhangde Primary and Singapore Panpac have also produced a guidebook titled “Labrador Park: The Adventure Begins”, which will be launched today.

18. NParks has also partnered the private sector to enhance the attractiveness of Labrador Park. NParks together with Singapore Explorer Private Limited will provide guided tours of the park. It has worked with SBS Transit to provide shuttle services on weekends and public holidays to Labrador Park.

Conclusion

19. In conclusion, the Government will continue to develop Singapore into a premier Garden City, and work towards our vision of a “City in the Garden”. This vision can only be realized with the collaborative efforts of the people, private and public sectors.

20. It is my pleasure to be here today to officiate the opening of the Tunnels, and launch the cannon exhibit and history guidebook.

Thank you.

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