Residents Look Forward To 'Punggol 21-Plus'- 21st Aug

Source : The Straits Times, 21 Aug 2007















An artist's impression of the new 'Punggol 21-plus', as Mr Lee called it, boasts features like a freshwater lake - and a waterway running through the estate with homes and a town centre built on both banks. -- PHOTO: HDB

PLANS announced by the Prime Minister for Punggol 21 have revived residents' hopes that the estate will finally get the amenities and infrastructure it desperately needs.

Mr Lee Hsien Loong said in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday that Punggol 21 is 'back on track'.

The new 'Punggol 21-plus', as Mr Lee called it, boasts features like a freshwater lake - and a waterway running through the estate with homes and a town centre built on both banks.

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Punggol to be the 'it' HDB town?
Punggol residents have welcomed plans to build up their estate complete with a pristine waterway, shopping malls, and al-fresco dining.

The revamp of housing estates, announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his National Day Rally speech last night is part of an overall strategy to help low-income Singaporeans by raising the value of their flats.

But just how far will this strategy benefit those in opposition wards such as Potong Pasir and Hougang?

The north-eastern coastal suburb will also get recreational facilities like water sports, gardens and parks with jogging tracks and eateries for al-fresco dining, he said.

Residents told The Straits Times on Tuesday that they hoped the plan will bring more developments to the estate - and fast.

Punggol 21, initially launched in 1996 by former PM Goh Chok Tong, was heralded as a bold vision to transform the area - famed for its pig farms and seafood restaurants - into a resort-styled 'new concept housing' for the new millennium.

But plans were hit first by the 1997 Asian financial crisis which sent demand for flats nosediving, and then by financial troubles in the construction industry in 2003.

Many Singaporeans had excitedly signed up for a Punggol flat after hearing it 'announced with a big bang'.

But till now, Punggol Plaza remains the only shopping mall in the estate and there are no recreational facilities like cinemas or swimming pools for residents