Eight private estates to get upgrading

More than 7,000 households are set to benefit from a $29 million facelift under the government's Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP). The properties, spread across eight private estates, will see the money spent on the upgrading of parks, playgrounds and widening of footpaths.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) announced yesterday that Goldhill, Mayflower Gardens and Yio Chu Kang Gardens, Cashew and Hazel Park Terrace, Greenleaf, Bartley Neighbourhood, Carmichael, Haig Road and Limau estates have been selected to benefit from the eighth EUP.

These older private estates are expected to benefit from the improved facilities when work will be completed in three to four years.

"There is high demand for upgrading and improvement works from private estates. When selecting a site for upgrading, we consider the age and physical condition of the estate, and scope for improvement," said Mohamad Maliki Osman, chairman of the EUP committee, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development.

Over the years, the EUP has seen the creation of parks, playgrounds and fitness corners to provide the community with a variety of recreational and fitness facilities.

Since its inception in 2000, the MND has spent $138 million in upgrading 46 private estates, comprising more than 34,000 households, in its seven previous batches. These include Serangoon Gardens, Hoover Park, Opera Estate and Hillview Estate.

Hillview Estate, which completed its facelift in July 2010, now boasts renovated playgrounds, covered drainage, a proper bus stop, a games court and four parks, including a community garden where residents cultivate plants.

The last EUP was administered in 2010 and saw 5,000 private households benefit from a $21 million facelift.

Source: Business Times –27 December 2012