Penang to reclaim land to fund state Master Transport Plan
GEORGE TOWN, Nov 27, 2015:
A big portion of the sea off the southern side of Penang Island will be reclaimed as a way to fund the RM27 billion Penang Master Transport Plan (TMP).
This was revealed by SRS Consortium which was awarded the tender for the project.
Feasibility studies on the southern part of the island, along the coast of Permatang Damar Laut, is to be reclaimed under a proposed South Reclamation Scheme which is currently being carried out.
SRS Consortium’s project director Szeto Wai Loong said that under the proposed scheme, the two man-made islands being built will have its own self-cleansing system to prevent siltation.
Also present was Local Government and Traffic Management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
“The two man-made islands will be about 2,000 acres and 1,300 acres respectively and there will also be more areas that could be identified to reclaim another 800 acre island next to the two larger islands,
“People have noticed us conducting site studies of the area so this is what we are doing, we need to do a detailed environmental, socio-economic and sea current impact studies on the area first,” he said.
The southern coast, he said, was chosen as the most appropriate by internationally-reputed water environment expert Danish Hydraulic Institute due to its natural embankment, limited environmental sensitivities with no seagrass bed or corals, shallow waters and sheltered from the effects of tsunami.
He added that the proposed reclaimed land will fully belong to the state government and it will be auctioned to finance TMP
“Among the amenities planned for the proposed reclaimed land included a 5km beach, 25km coastal park, 30km waterfront and 700 acres of green spaces.
“We still need to conduct several months of preliminary studies along with getting public engagement on the proposed reclamation,” he said.
The proposed project will be displayed for public feedback by June 2016 after finalising the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies.
The reclaimed land will provide land for housing solutions and also to allow for expansion of the industrial zone due to its close proximity to the airport and the free industrial zone of Bayan Lepas.
It is touted to be a smart, green city called SRS Smart City.
“The southern coast is already touted to be a smart, green city called SRS Smart City, being developed now with housing projects being built along the area and since there is no more room for expansion for the industrial zone, the reclaimed land will provide the space needed for expansion which will further spur the state’s economy,” said Szeto.
“SRS Consortium will be holding monthly media briefings on the progress of the TMP as it rolls out plans for each component.
“Currently, all components are still under the preliminary study stage,” he said.
The TMP, said Chow, is the state’s solutions to Penang’s growing traffic woes and it is expected to be fully completed by 2030.
Source: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/11/27/penang-to-reclaim-land-to-fund-state-master-transport-plan/
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