THE Singapore Land Authority (SLA) makes available vacant state land, pending development, for interim use by the community for recreational activities ('Group told to clear out 'farm' on state land'; last Saturday).
Over the years, the SLA has upgraded vacant state land for such uses. Today, there are 270 community use sites in various parts of Singapore for the community to use and enjoy.
However, state land is a precious resource and must be maintained and managed responsibly.
An important principle that we uphold without exception is that individuals or groups of them are not allowed to encroach and lay claim on state land for their private use.
Where state land is allowed for community use, it is important that it does not cause disamenity for the neighbourhood, and does not adversely affect the land and the environment, such as causing ground contamination or mosquito breeding.
In this case, some individuals have not only encroached on state land for their private purposes, but several have also fenced up parcels of land as their 'own' and padlocked them for their exclusive use.
There are also illegally erected makeshift sheds and even an outdoor toilet.
During our inspection, we found several ponds with stagnant water that are potential mosquito breeding grounds if left unchecked.
We have also received feedback of the burning of branches and leaves, which affects the air quality for the residents nearby and is a potential fire hazard.
In the interest of all residents living in the vicinity, SLA's immediate priority is to stop the burning of leaves and commence vector control measures.
We will also give those responsible for the encroachment a reasonable period to dismantle and remove the enclosed areas and illegally erected structures, failing which we will have to take action to remove them.
The land is zoned as 'reserve' under the Master Plan 2008 and there are no immediate plans for the site at this point in time.
In the interim, the SLA will seek and consider the views of the grassroots organisations on whether the land can be put to some form of community use for the enjoyment of the residents in the vicinity.
However, any such use is interim and will have to cease when the land is required for future development.
Julia Poh (Ms)
Julia Poh (Ms)
Head, Corporate Communications
Singapore Land Authority
ST Forum, 14 Mar 2012
Group told to clear out 'farm' on state land
Clementi folk, who have tended to garden for years, hope for reprieve
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 10 Mar 2012
FOR three decades, a group of Clementi residents have tended to a garden in their neighbourhood, coaxing harvests of bittergourd, sweet potato and jackfruit from the soil, mostly for their own dinner tables.
Clementi folk, who have tended to garden for years, hope for reprieve
By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 10 Mar 2012
FOR three decades, a group of Clementi residents have tended to a garden in their neighbourhood, coaxing harvests of bittergourd, sweet potato and jackfruit from the soil, mostly for their own dinner tables.
But their 'farm' sits on state land.
On Tuesday, they were told by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to clear out by March 20 - in two weeks.
The plot in question is bounded by a portion of the former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway line, the Sungei Ulu Pandan canal, Clementi Avenue 4 and Clementi Avenue 6.
A notice from the SLA has been posted on the door of the outhouse on the farm, announcing that these 'farmers' had trespassed on state land by erecting an illegal structure and cultivating crops illegally.
The notice also pointed out that 'other items' had been placed on state land without approval, in an apparent reference to a small shrine, a tool shed and several fish ponds.
Asked why it was taking action now, the SLA, in a joint statement with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, replied that a resident in the vicinity had reported that the frequent burning of leaves in the area had made the air acrid, creating discomfort especially for her children who have asthma.
The SLA said it looked into the complaint and found burnt patches of ground, the crops and unauthorised structures, so it posted the eviction notices.
'Going forward, the SLA will consider and discuss with grassroots organisations whether and what arrangements can be put in place to allow community use of the land,' said the statement.
It added, however, that the 'disamenities' caused by the farming had to be taken into account.
The SLA has the law on its side.
The State Lands Encroachment Act states that those who 'unlawfully enter into possession of any state land, either by residing or by erecting any building or hut thereon or by clearing, enclosing or cultivating any part thereof' shall be guilty of an offence. Conviction brings a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to six months or both.
Madam Siow Siew Eng, 72, who is at the farm almost daily, said officers turned up and took down her details. Asked how she felt about the eviction, she patted her chest and said 'sim tiah', meaning 'heart pain' in Hokkien.
She said she is not planting anything new, and will just harvest what is there.
The group of 'urban farmers', mostly elderly, have been pottering on the farm long enough to have seen a new generation of them turn up to work the soil.
Madam Siow herself took over her patch from her godfather, now in his 80s and unable to walk.
Clementi resident Lester Yeong, a 35-year-old laboratory manager, said his father has farmed there in the two years since he retired, surrounded by his grandchildren, who go there to play.
Mr Yeong and others have asked the SLA for the gardening to be permitted until the land is needed for other uses, and for the current users to pay a nominal fee for a temporary occupancy permit.
He said he is meeting his MP, Ms Sim Ann, next week to discuss the issue.
Mr Leong Kwok Peng of the Green Corridor civic interest group looking to preserve the former KTM railway stretch, said an abandoned railway bridge linking Sunset Way to Clementi had significant heritage value, as does that section of the track, which was a branch of the Tanjong Pagar-Woodlands line that became disused more than 20 years ago.
Mr Leong called for the farmers to be allowed to continue their activity, but said the plot should be a community space, open to all, not just the farmers.
Clementi residents say the farm, there since the late 1970s, is something of a neighbourhood institution.
Housewife Jacinta Conceicao, 50, said: 'It's part of the scenery for us. We have the railway track, we have the river and we have this farm - it makes our neighbourhood unique in this way.'
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