32 private estates to undergo $135m upgrading over next 5 years

Residents from 32 private estates in Singapore can look forward to new or improved facilities - such as new recreational spaces, wheelchair-accessible ramps and estate markers - that will be built over the next five years.

These 32 estates include seven with a higher concentration of the elderly that will get senior-friendly upgrades like wayfinding features, community gardens, and facilities where active ageing programmes can be organised, such as pavilions and fitness corners.

The upgrading works, which will come under the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) and cost $135 million in total, were announced by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Feb 8.

The EUP was started in 2000 to develop and upgrade infrastructure in ageing private estates, which do not have access to town council or Housing Board grants. Residents do not have to pay for the upgrading works.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) said on Feb 8 that the upgrading plans for the seven estates that have more seniors are part of its enhancements to the EUP, called the Estate Upgrading Programme (Silver Estate).

These upgrades will cost $11 million and affect more than 3,700 households.

The seven estates are:

1. FengshanHillviewHong Leong Gardens and Pasir PanjangMacPherson GardensMayfair ParkTeachers' Housing Thomson and Yew Lian Park

Mr Lee said these estates will receive additional senior-friendly enhancements to better support their ageing residents and improve accessibility and safety within the estates.

This latest batch of upgrades is part of a "big concerted push to prepare our private estates... for an ageing society", said Mr Lee, who was speaking at a grassroots event at West Coast Community Centre on Feb 8.

"We want to reimagine and revitalise our neighbourhoods - to refresh the infrastructure, install new features, and design spaces that cater to the needs of our parents and grandparents," he added.

The remaining 25 estates will undergo upgrades under the regular EUP, which will cost $124 million and affect more than 16,600 households.

Mr Lee said the EUP can include a variety of upgrades, including making estates more walkable by adding and widening footpaths with covered drains, and enhancing lighting, markers and signs across the estates.

"We can better promote active ageing and community bonding by enhancing the neighbourhood parks with features such as three-generation playgrounds and fitness corners, and community gardens, thereby benefiting residents both young and old."

Mr Lee said the Government will work closely with the EUP project teams and community to ensure that the enhancements are practical and meaningful.

Since the EUP was launched in 2000, about $216 million has been spent on upgrading 74 private estates over 10 batches of the project.

More than 54,000 households have benefited from the EUP, including those in Serangoon Garden, Mount Sinai and Braddell Heights. The last round of the programme was announced in 2019, with 10 estates getting upgraded.

The upgrading works were announced by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Feb 8. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

MND said that as part of the EUP process, feedback and input will be sought from residents, and their views will be incorporated into the upgrading decisions.

"Residents are encouraged to participate actively in these discussions to ensure that the upgrading works meet their needs," the ministry added.

"This would also provide the community a greater sense of ownership for the common spaces in their estates."

Lorong Chuan resident Jeremiah Chai, a 35-year-old financial consultant, said he welcomed the news, and hoped that with the upgrades, his neighbourhood can become more inclusive.

"My estate is on a hill, and for the longest time, an old set of stairs was the only way to get home from the MRT station. If not, one would have to take a bus or walk the long way around," he added.

"If we had some ramps, then it would improve access for the elderly or those in wheelchairs."

The 25 private estates under the regular EUP are:

1. Along Upper East Coast Road
2. Balmoral
3. Bright Hill Crescent
4. Bukit Regency and Ridgevale Gardens
5. Burgundy and Highgate
6. Dunearn
7. Farrer Holland
8. Inglewood and Westlake Gardens
9. Jalan Merdu
10. Jalan Naung Estate and Realty Park
11. Jelita, Lim Tai See, Farrer Leedon and Holland
12. Joo Chiat NC 2 @ Marine Parade
13. Lakepoint and Lakeside Grove
14. Loyang Villas and Mera Terrace
15. Oasis @ Mulberry
16. Pasir Ris Beach Park
17. Serangoon Garden and Lorong Chuan
18. Shepherd's Hills
19. Shrewsbury
20. Sunbird-Apollo
21. Telok Kurau
22. Thomson
23. Towner Ville
24. West Coast Park, Hong Leong Gardens (West Coast Road) and Pasir Panjang Gardens (Mas Kuning Terrace)
25. Yunnan