DPM Gan Kim Yong at the Launch of "Riding The Tides" Exhibition

My Cabinet colleague, Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

Good morning to all of you. Thank you for inviting me to join you at Singapore’s first Coastal Protection Public Exhibition. 

As an island nation, Singapore is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise.

According to our latest national climate change study, relative mean sea levels around Singapore are projected to rise by up to 1.15m by 2100. 

Combined with high tides and extreme weather events, sea levels could surge up to 5m above mean sea level. If you don’t know how high 5m is, you can go to the column behind you, and there is a mark of 5m. It is almost at the level of the second storey of this building.

This puts nearly a third of Singapore at risk of coastal flooding. 

In fact, we have already seen early signs of this, such as periodic flooding at East Coast Park during high spring tides. 

Unlike larger countries, we do not have the option of retreating inland to higher ground. Protecting our coastlines is therefore of existential importance. 

This is a complex task that will take decades to complete. 

But we can take heart in our unique ability to plan far ahead. 

From water security to land reclamation and industrial development, our ability to invest early in long-term solutions has been critical to our success and survival.  

Coastal protection is another such endeavour that will require sustained effort over generations – and just as with our public housing, water and infrastructure, it is a necessary investment in the safety, security, and resilience of our nation. 

Building a continuous line of defence 

Every stretch of our coast is different – from the bustling Marina Bay to the tranquil Changi Beach Park, each coastal space has its own geography, uses and identity. 

This is why PUB has been conducting Site-Specific Studies to develop coastal protection solutions that are tailored to the characteristics of each area. 

We started with the City-East Coast area in 2021, followed by the North-west region in 2022. 

And around 2026, we will commence studies for Sentosa and the South-west coast. 

These studies will contribute to a continuous line of defence around Singapore against coastal flooding. 

This effort also presents an opportunity for us to reimagine these spaces. 

Over the past three years, more than 150 participants – from residents and grassroots leaders, to businesses, schools, and nature groups – have contributed ideas through “Our Coastal Conversations”. 

These views have guided our assessment of the options to protect the Greater Southern Waterfront and Changi. 

Today, I am pleased to share with you our coastal protection concepts for these two areas. 

Greater Southern Waterfront  

Let me begin with the Greater Southern Waterfront, which extends from Pasir Panjang to Marina East. 

We are progressively transforming the Greater Southern Waterfront into a vibrant gateway for live, work and play. 

Today, the Greater Southern Waterfront is already a vibrant blend of commercial spaces, homes, and parks. VivoCity, right here, is just one of them.

We plan to transform the Greater Southern Waterfront into a mixed-use waterfront precinct, alongside the rejuvenation of Sentosa and Brani Islands into a world-class leisure and tourism destination. 

This includes the development of a continuous waterfront promenade that will seamlessly connect various places of interest in future. 

We will be redeveloping the area in phases, starting with the former Pasir Panjang Power District, Keppel Club and Mount Faber in the next 5 to 10 years. 

To complement the development of the waterfront promenade, we intend to build three coastal barriers that will connect Sentosa Island to the mainland – one to the west of Sentosa, and two to the east.

This will allow the public to still have access to the coastline and enjoy the beautiful sea view, which several participants had highlighted during the ‘Our Coastal Conversations’ sessions. 

These barriers will have a series of gates across the water channel. 

These gates will be closed during storm surge events and extreme high tide events to prevent coastal flooding, but will remain open otherwise. 

This approach will also minimise the impact to the movement of marine vessels, as well as to the marine environment.

PUB will commence studies soon to determine the design of these barriers.   

Proposed measures at Changi

Let me now share our plans for Changi.  

To the world, Changi is synonymous with our world-class Changi Airport; to many Singaporeans, Changi is also a place rich with identity and nature.   

From the unique marine life at Changi Beach Park, to the yummy nasi lemak and other local delights at Changi Village, to the ferry terminal at Changi Point connecting to Pulau Ubin, many Singaporeans have fond memories of the Changi area.  

Along with the future Terminal 5, we plan to transform the Changi Region into a vibrant business and lifestyle destination, while retaining its rustic character and preserving its heritage.

To protect the Changi coastline, we will adopt a mix of coastal protection measures, including seawalls and tidal gates. 

These measures will be set behind the beach, so that we can continue to enjoy access to the sea. 

Where possible and feasible, we will raise the cycling paths along our shores so that they can also double up as our coastal defences. 

Together with the upcoming “Long Island”, these measures will form a continuous line of defence along our Southeastern coastline.   

Conclusion 

As we confront the effects of climate change, coastal protection is a long-term national priority that will require careful planning, close partnership between the Government, public and the private sector, and sustained commitment over generations.  

Today’s exhibition is an opportunity for all of us to understand the scale of the challenges ahead of us, as well as to imagine the exciting possibilities. 

Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who has participated in “Our Coastal Conversations”. 

I encourage more Singaporeans to step forward and share your views on how we can work together to safeguard our island nation, reimagine our coasts, and keep Singapore a vibrant and liveable home for generations to come. 

Thank you. 

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