Ahead of preparatory works for the Long Island reclamation project off East Coast Park, members of the public have urged authorities to safeguard the park’s existing recreational uses during the construction period. Key locations of concern include popular fishing sites like Bedok Jetty and the surfing spot known as Longkang Point.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) revealed on September 16 that it had received 430 responses to an environmental study published earlier this year on the planned preparatory works. Feedback from residents emphasized the importance of maintaining East Coast Park’s recreational character and minimizing disruptions to stakeholders.

In response, the HDB pledged to reduce interference with current activities along the shoreline. The board indicated that preparatory works would begin in phases, starting at least 130 meters from the shoreline and primarily in the waters west of Bedok Jetty. This approach aims to ensure that public access to beaches and facilities such as the jetty remains largely unaffected. Additionally, the HDB expects minimal changes to wave conditions in surfing areas during the work.

Environmental monitoring will be an ongoing component of the project, with close attention paid to water quality, suspended sediment levels, noise, and dust. Authorities intend to keep these parameters within acceptable levels to maintain safe public use.

Upon completion, scheduled over the coming decades, the Long Island reclamation will create approximately 800 hectares of new land—equivalent to twice the area of Marina Bay. The project is designed to bolster protection of low-lying coastal zones from Marina East to Tanah Merah against rising sea levels, while also providing additional reservoir capacity and land for future development needs.

Environmental concerns were also raised about the impact of the reclamation on local marine life. Respondents sought greater transparency regarding how species such as sea turtles, bottom-dwelling fish, and coastal horseshoe crabs will be affected and what measures will be taken to safeguard sensitive habitats, including corals and seagrass beds.

The HDB has acknowledged these concerns and indicated that environmental protection remains a priority throughout the project.

The Long Island reclamation is a major infrastructure effort aimed at enhancing Singapore’s coastal resilience and resource sustainability, but authorities face the ongoing challenge of balancing development objectives with the preservation of natural and recreational assets valued by the community.