Parliament: Government to spend $100m on new lift upgrade programme

SINGAPORE - The Government will spend nearly $100 million on a new programme to replace ageing lifts, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced on Wednesday.

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Here is the oral answer by Ministry of National Development on enhancements to HDB's upgrading programmes:

Mr Zaqy Mohamad: To ask the Minister for National Development with the recent announcement of the three enhancements to HDB's upgrading programmes:

(a) whether the Ministry plans to increase the budget to enable more flats that qualify, to benefit sooner from the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) and Selective Lift Replacement Programme (SLRP) each year; and

(b) what is the timeline for the upgrading works to be completed for the new batch of flats that qualify?

Answer:

The three enhancements are significant and will further improve the living environment in existing HDB towns. They will allow more residents to enjoy the benefits of upgrading.

They will impose additional cost on the Government. For example, the NRP cost cap will be raised from $3,400 to $4,700 per flat, to pay for the additional works. The SLRP will require the Government to fund 50% of the lift replacement cost, up to a cap of $125,000 per lift. We will set aside sufficient budget to fund all these enhancements.

HDB expects to complete the selection of all eligible flats for HIP by 2018. As for NRP and SLRP, their implementation will largely be by the Town Councils. NRP will also require the active engagement of residents in shaping their living environment. The pace of implementation will therefore depend on the extent of active local participation.