Ooops! No More Sand For Singapore.
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Sg'd sands falls from the sky
1.MY bans sands exports to Sg some years back and so did Indonesia.Neighbouring Indonesia stopped selling the sand Singapore needs to keep growing two years ago,(Lion's note:Feb 2003) fearing damage to its environment from constant sand extraction and concerned that Singapore was redrawing its maritime boundaries as its shoreline bulges.....
--www.littlespeck.com/content/economy/CTrendsEconomy-050412.htm
Under a Concept Plan 2001, Singapore wants to add another 99 sq km (38 sq miles) over the next five decades
Changi Airport is about 12.5 km2.
2.But SG grows 3 soccer pitch a day,my humble findings is
From 2000 to 2006 ,SG grows 3.4 soccer pitch a day or 2.36 ha a day!!
From 1992 to 2006,it grows 1.1 ha a day.
Year...SG land area
1992.....641.0 km2
2000.....647.5
2006.....699.1
sources: various FACTS and FIGURES of SG and Annual report .
3.So ,where did the sands come from?
4.
above:Spore 1973 CNES
http://www.ecologyasia.com/news-archives/2001/apr-01/MAP_1a.jpg
above:NASA June 2003 Spore
source:Spore Satellite image -
hai~~.. now then i know why theres no more "old school" playground of the yester years.. the government had predicted that this day would come..
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Just look into Google Earth and zoom into sinkapore...you will see many goft course meant for rich but no land for the pure breed, served NS, poor singaporeans.
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Furthermore, those stockpile of sand was meant for emergency usage!!!Originally posted by Lowclassman:Why don't worry??? What you know about construction?
I'm very worry!!! Using alternative materials willl have defects with hell of water seepages problem.
The stockpile sand at Bedok reservior can last for how long??? Mind you those stockpile sand might not be enough for two IRs. What about other developments?
Heard from a source....singapore might get sand supply from China but is going to be 4 times the price now!!! -
Nowdays playground no more sand liao, not so fun
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Theoretically we are almost self sufficient in water but it is cheaper to import waterOriginally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:I thought we are aiming self-sufficient for water supplies before our contract with Malaysia ends?
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not hypocriteOriginally posted by sgdiehard:this is the true reason, or fear behind the ban of sand. Lets cut all the bull s h i t about environmental protection. Let the bloody forest burnt for days and do nothing, now talk about protecting environment. Hyprocrite!!!
revenge
bcas sg gahmen report
and case filed at
international court for
haze problems against Indo
now the fellow started
yday BCA big mouth's
said no problem we
have plenty of resources
from yday afternoon all
concrete batching plants shud down
now all investors threaten the govt
to get solution fast
now BCA big mouth's call
all suppliers to come for
meeting to solve the problem
this afternoon.
anybody know the outcome.
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We are hardly self sufficient in water. If Johor shuts down the pipe lines, we are as good as gone!Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Theoretically we are almost self sufficient in water but it is cheaper to import water -
Yeah maybe we need to import rice from other country also liaozzz. No more thai rice since we are so supportive of Thaksin. HURRAY!
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RELAX.Originally posted by Lowclassman:Furthermore, those stockpile of sand was meant for emergency usage!!!
The IRs will most probably use steel frame structures. Although more expensive, its much faster to erect as compared to using concrete. IRs are targetting to build as fast as possible. -
Good job lah, PAP...
Make enemies of our neighbors...
Very good job indeed...
vote lah .. vote for them some more... -
No sand from Indonesia? No Problem.Originally posted by mhcampboy:Where else Singapore is importing sand from?
We already got plenty of sands of Las Vegas @ Marina Bay
But must be patient to wait -
These countries which have been exporting sands to S'poreOriginally posted by ninefold9:No sand from Indonesia? No Problem.
We already got plenty of sands of Las Vegas @ Marina Bay
But must be patient to wait
are so fearful that it will expand its landmass threatening
their existence. Don't know what kind of mentality they have
Why keep sending relief teams to help them each time when they
are in trouble? Who is the greatest suckers???? -
Originally posted by ninefold9:
Wah you so cruel, those that are suffering are poor people (like me)...
[b]These countries which have been exporting sands to S'pore
are so fearful that it will expand its landmass threatening
their existence. Don't know what kind of mentality they have
Why keep sending relief teams to help them each time when they
are in trouble? Who is the greatest suckers????[/b]
But I agree, let's go to war!!!
Bleh. -
this is a new business opportunity...i'm gonna be a sand importer...anyone joining me?
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I can help to carry one bag only... phuket sand not bad.
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TODAY is a very good newspaper which report somethings ST dunt report.
Jakarta bans sand exports to S'pore; Republic will turn to new sources, steel-based construction
SG has switched to steelIndonesia acts, S'pore regrets
2.This worth to stockpilt stratigic goods so SG wont black mailed.
Jakarta bans sand exports to S'pore; Republic will turn to new sources, steel-based construction
Sharon Vasoo
Deputy Foreign Editor
[email protected]
For some time now, Singapore has been basking in its friendship with Indonesia, trying to nudge foreign investors to go to its larger neighbour. It has been a staunch supporter of Indonesia's Riau Island's Special Economic Zones.
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On Monday night, the warm ties had to negotiate a sand trap. Indonesia's Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu unilaterally announced that her country would ban the export of sand, soil and topsoil — a move that will affect mainly Singapore which imports between six and eight million tonnes of land sand annually. It comes at a time when Singapore's construction sector has just roused itself from a long, lethargic spell and is set to take off.
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Singapore imports almost all the sand used in its buildings from Indonesia but is confident that it will find other sources to bridge the shortfall. It has also been persuading its developers to switch from sand-based construction to using more steel — which is more easily available and makes for quicker, cleaner projects.
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Indonesia's decision may speed up this switch.
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"It could also be an opportunity — just as our water disputes with Malaysia led to our engagement with Newater," said an observer.
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Nevertheless, Indonesia's sudden and swift decision has not gone down well. "Singapore is disappointed," said a statement from the National Development Ministry and the Building and Construction Authority.
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Ms Mari said that Indonesia took this decision because its government wanted to protect its environment and maintain the nation's maritime borders. "After observations in the field, there is actually quite heavy environmental damage and the banning of sand exports is a response to this," she said.
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It is understood that Singapore had offered to work with Indonesia to address its environmental concerns.
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"We regret that Indonesia did not take up our offer ..." said the statement.
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Still, Jakarta decided to go ahead with the ban under which exporters have been given up to Feb 5 to honour existing sand contracts.
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Observers say that the Indonesia's move was mainly to placate domestic lobby groups and provincial ministers who feel that they have not benefited from the trade that fetches Indonesia more than $120 million a year from Singapore alone. It has been the Republic's main supplier of sand since Malaysia banned exports in 1997.
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On paper, the ban could affect between $60 billion and $90 billion worth of projects here that are already in the pipeline. But there is not likely to be any disruption at all.
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"We have quite a sizeable sand stockpile, and we are prepared to release the stockpile to meet the immediate needs of the industry," Dr John Keung, BCA's chief executive officer told Channel NewsAsia.
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Meanwhile, the alternatives are already clicking into place. The Housing and Development Board has already started procuring sand from sources outside Indonesia to produce concrete. At least one such ship, it is understood, is already on its way to Singapore.
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This arrangement will ensure that Singapore builders get a steady supply of sand to make concrete for their buildings. But since the sand is being shipped from areas much further away than Indonesia, industry experts said that it was likely to be more expensive than Indonesian supplies. This sand could add between 1 and 2 per cent to project costs, experts said. So, it probably made more sense to switch to steel-based construction which would be marginally more expensive — it could add 3 per cent to project costs — but would see buildings come up faster, with less dependence on foreign labour.
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Backing this, Mr Keung said: "It is very important for us to move away from such high dependency on sand export in construction work. We've been trying to persuade the industry to move towards a more sustainable form of construction, like the use of steel structure."
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Industry experts that it was possible for Singapore to cut its sand consumption by up to 70 per cent. This would mean that the Republic would only have to import between one and two million tonnes of sand a year.
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Of late, Britain has slashed its sand usage by up 70 per cent and Japan by 50 per cent.
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The trend has caught on in Singapore too, with the National Library, Capitol Tower and the Ang Mo Kio Hub Mall using steel more than concrete in their structures. Even the Marina Integrated Resort design has a steely edge to it
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The construction industry here is expected to shrug off the impact of this ban sooner rather than later, observers said.
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For now, they are more intrigued by the mixed signals that Indonesia is sending as far as its relationship with Singapore goes.
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"Sometimes governments are forced to make tough decisions, but these decisions should not be seen as an expression of negativity against another country," said Mr Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, a former Indonesian ambassador and now a senior fellow at Jakarta's Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Not many builders in Singapore will agree with that.
Jakarta bans sand exports to S'pore; Republic will turn to new sources, steel-based construction -
I don't think they would wage war or sue them over it, but try diplomatic talks or perhaps convince them to continue doing so, at the expense of our pockets.Originally posted by ShutterBug:well, they might just one day cut supply citing political issues or reasons of their own before contract ends.
..then you think our almighty gov dares to wage war with them? Or even engage in a lengthy expensive drawn out legal action over it??
our gov very LPPL one... -
As always, theory and reality never match. We can project and predict, but when the time comes, are we really self-sufficient?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Theoretically we are almost self sufficient in water but it is cheaper to import water -
Lots of sand on Pulau Tekong.
As for Spore diplomacy tactics, pse read more of "Romance of 3 Kingdoms". -
Spore has learned how to create water. Its called Newater. Now they will also learn ways to create sand. It will be called NewSand.Originally posted by norm:Lots of sand on Pulau Tekong.
As for Spore diplomacy tactics, pse read more of "Romance of 3 Kingdoms". -
didnt we lent indonesia hugh $$$ beofre during crisis? now they doing this?
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Chee Soon Juan was sued by this claim.SG never lent $$ to themOriginally posted by blowfish:didnt we lent indonesia hugh $$$ beofre during crisis? now they doing this? -
oh is it. i though i read it somewhere.Originally posted by lionnoisy:Chee Soon Juan was sued by this claim.SG never lent $$ to them -
This is insider news. HDB had a panic attack yesterday when word came out. But they didn't really have to worry, coz they have quite a huge stockpile. Anyway, they'll be getting their sand from vietnam soon.