Farmers send petition to protest
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SINGAPORE: Farmers at the Lim Chu Kang area have sent a petition with 1,000 signatures to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, calling for an end to storing granite in their backyard.
The government has explained that storing granite is part of its strategy to ensure that there is an adequate supply of essential building materials to tide the construction industry over in the short term, due to IndonesiaÂ’s ban in granite exports to Singapore.
The granite stockpile, which nearly covers an area of 20 football fields, is located in the Kranji countryside where a variety of fruits and vegetables is produced.
The 20 farmers who form the Kranji Countryside Association are worried that their crops may be affected, despite efforts by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to reduce dust by erecting a 6m—high fence around the granite stockpile.
That is why they decided to send their produce, along with the petition, to the prime minister at the Istana, hoping that he could help reverse the decision to store granite in their backyard.
Kenny Eng, Vice—President of Kranji Countryside Association, said: "When we started the petition, we just wanted to see for ourselves whether Singaporeans and tourists felt the same way. Within a short two—and—a—half weeks, we hit 1,000 signatures. It shows that Singaporeans are really concerned."
One of the Singaporeans said: "This is probably the only place (countryside) left in Singapore. So I think the granite should not be placed here."
A tourist said: "The dust and the debris from the concrete, etc could have an effect on the plants."
"ItÂ’s a great shame; they are trying to get children interested in the environment by teaching them about vegetables. A lot of children should see the sort of landscape that was Singapore before so many buildings went up," another said.
Farmers at Kranji are also worried that the fence around the granite stockpile may prevent sunlight from reaching the farms.
They agreed that granite stockpiling is necessary, but they do not want it in their backyard.
But the BCA, which has consulted the farmers, explained that it had already studied possible sites for stockpiling and Lim Chu Kang was selected because it is away from densely built—up urban areas.
BCA also added that due care would be taken to mitigate any negative impact on the environment, which includes having a designated route for trucks, and adequate drainage to discharge rainwater.
— CNA/so -
I'm impressed.
1000 signatures.
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and annulities don't even get a 1000's hitOriginally posted by charlize:I'm impressed.
1000 signatures.
haiz..... -
It's not like petitioning would help. It's not recognized in the eyes of SG laws.
But if it would send a wake up call, and create some noises in other international communities, it would be very useful. -
Thanks for the effort, but the petition probably is another useless try.
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another white elephant... i mean the petition...
so where can hang white elephant card board... -
hang on the PIE..Originally posted by Seven_Dragon:another white elephant... i mean the petition...
so where can hang white elephant card board... -
I feel the government will take this more seriously as the 1,000 signatures came purely from the networks of farmers. However, I will be happy if they don'tOriginally posted by kramnave:SINGAPORE: Farmers at the Lim Chu Kang area have sent a petition with 1,000 signatures to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, calling for an end to storing granite in their backyard.
The government has explained that storing granite is part of its strategy to ensure that there is an adequate supply of essential building materials to tide the construction industry over in the short term, due to IndonesiaÂ’s ban in granite exports to Singapore.
The granite stockpile, which nearly covers an area of 20 football fields, is located in the Kranji countryside where a variety of fruits and vegetables is produced.
The 20 farmers who form the Kranji Countryside Association are worried that their crops may be affected, despite efforts by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to reduce dust by erecting a 6m—high fence around the granite stockpile.
That is why they decided to send their produce, along with the petition, to the prime minister at the Istana, hoping that he could help reverse the decision to store granite in their backyard.
Kenny Eng, Vice—President of Kranji Countryside Association, said: "When we started the petition, we just wanted to see for ourselves whether Singaporeans and tourists felt the same way. Within a short two—and—a—half weeks, we hit 1,000 signatures. It shows that Singaporeans are really concerned."
One of the Singaporeans said: "This is probably the only place (countryside) left in Singapore. So I think the granite should not be placed here."
A tourist said: "The dust and the debris from the concrete, etc could have an effect on the plants."
"ItÂ’s a great shame; they are trying to get children interested in the environment by teaching them about vegetables. A lot of children should see the sort of landscape that was Singapore before so many buildings went up," another said.
Farmers at Kranji are also worried that the fence around the granite stockpile may prevent sunlight from reaching the farms.
They agreed that granite stockpiling is necessary, but they do not want it in their backyard.
But the BCA, which has consulted the farmers, explained that it had already studied possible sites for stockpiling and Lim Chu Kang was selected because it is away from densely built—up urban areas.
BCA also added that due care would be taken to mitigate any negative impact on the environment, which includes having a designated route for trucks, and adequate drainage to discharge rainwater.
— CNA/so
The other petition with 1,000 signatures came from a petition that was open to the whole country.
Regards -
I never worry about action, but only about inaction. - Winston ChurchillOriginally posted by Boy Stratus:Thanks for the effort, but the petition probably is another useless try. -
then put where ? .... -
Istana?Originally posted by Fatum:then put where ? .... -
complain to local MP first lar.Originally posted by kramnave:SINGAPORE: Farmers at the Lim Chu Kang area have sent a petition with 1,000 signatures to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, calling for an end to storing granite in their backyard.
The government has explained that storing granite is part of its strategy to ensure that there is an adequate supply of essential building materials to tide the construction industry over in the short term, due to IndonesiaÂ’s ban in granite exports to Singapore.
The granite stockpile, which nearly covers an area of 20 football fields, is located in the Kranji countryside where a variety of fruits and vegetables is produced.
The 20 farmers who form the Kranji Countryside Association are worried that their crops may be affected, despite efforts by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to reduce dust by erecting a 6m—high fence around the granite stockpile.
That is why they decided to send their produce, along with the petition, to the prime minister at the Istana, hoping that he could help reverse the decision to store granite in their backyard.
Kenny Eng, Vice—President of Kranji Countryside Association, said: "When we started the petition, we just wanted to see for ourselves whether Singaporeans and tourists felt the same way. Within a short two—and—a—half weeks, we hit 1,000 signatures. It shows that Singaporeans are really concerned."
One of the Singaporeans said: "This is probably the only place (countryside) left in Singapore. So I think the granite should not be placed here."
A tourist said: "The dust and the debris from the concrete, etc could have an effect on the plants."
"ItÂ’s a great shame; they are trying to get children interested in the environment by teaching them about vegetables. A lot of children should see the sort of landscape that was Singapore before so many buildings went up," another said.
Farmers at Kranji are also worried that the fence around the granite stockpile may prevent sunlight from reaching the farms.
They agreed that granite stockpiling is necessary, but they do not want it in their backyard.
But the BCA, which has consulted the farmers, explained that it had already studied possible sites for stockpiling and Lim Chu Kang was selected because it is away from densely built—up urban areas.
BCA also added that due care would be taken to mitigate any negative impact on the environment, which includes having a designated route for trucks, and adequate drainage to discharge rainwater.
— CNA/so
they will fight for you cos they want more face and $$ -
Won't work lah...... the whole country Construction sector depends on this sands and rocks to make a living...... 10 of thousands of jobs depend on it. U think govt have many place in S'pore to shift all those sand and rocks away
Where to Ang Mo Kio Woodlands Jurong Where
Kranji is the few place left in S'pore where there are very little ppl staying in the area. Which is better Piss off a few hundred farmer...... or a few thousand home ower -
MP is useless, he can not do anything except write letterOriginally posted by Guardx:complain to local MP first lar.
they will fight for you cos they want more face and $$ -
To think farmers actually can manage their survival in Singapore, that really put me to a shock.
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Its for temporary storage, for a couple of years. There are open spaces in Tampines area, where sand is stock piled, and open spaces awaiting development, which are away from residential areas.
In fact the old quarry at Pulau Tekong could also be used for storage.
There are places. But the chief consideration is the movements of heavy vehicles. During storage and later during delivery. The number of trips could number into hundred of thousands of vehicular movements. Can't have heavy vehicles thundering through Eunos and Kaki Bukit areas all day.
The Kranji Country Association is not disputing the necessity for storage, but the location. And its the vehicles that will affect them the most.
Seeing the MP is no use, because the MP will urge them to accept it, and assure them all that needs to be done will be done.
Pettition for Chek Java was successful.
I doubt they will allow the pettion for Kranji Country Association.
Lack of a reasonable alternative place is one reason, the other not to encourage pettitions. -
That's the job for the million-dollar ministers!Originally posted by Fatum:then put where ? .... -
singapore so small, where those farmers expect the granite to be placed? of course at the most remote place! aka lim chu kang
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can place near Choa Chu Kang cemetery there, no body will disturbOriginally posted by venny:singapore so small, where those farmers expect the granite to be placed? of course at the most remote place! aka lim chu kang -
I refer to the letter published in the forum by Ivy Singh, ST 15 Oct,2007. I noticed that the granite was barged at Tuas, I wonder why they dont store the granite at Tuas, an industrial area rather than transport 30km to Lim Chu Kang, what is the reason government will give?
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Govt stance on granite stockpile still solid
An open invitation to the PM. Will he even go?
By Lim Wei Chean
ROCK HOARD: In land-scarce Singapore, says the National Development Ministry, 'it is important for coexistence of different land uses on adjacent land plots'. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM
THE Kranji farmers have made their strong plea for a granite stockpile to not be located there.
Now, in response, the Government has explained that it is of strategic importance for Singapore to have its own supply of key construction material.
In land-scarce Singapore, 'it is important for coexistence of different land uses on adjacent land plots', a Ministry of National Development statement said yesterday.
The intended site off Neo Tiew Road, according to the Kranji farmers' reckoning, is the size of 20 soccer pitches.
News first surfaced in May that a granite stockpile would be built in rustic Lim Chu Kang, which has more than 100 farmers. Urban visitors flock there on weekends.
About 10 farmers had banded together in 2005 to form the Kranji Countryside Association to promote the area. The association now has around 20 members.
It argued that a stockpile there, along with trucks regularly ferrying in granite, would hurt the farms and despoil the area.
On Oct 9, it sent a petition to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with more than 1,000 signatures in a bid to 'save Singapore's countryside'.
Yesterday, the ministry's spokesman explained that the recent Indonesian sand ban and granite restrictions illustrated the strategic importance of a local stockpile.
Also, the land is listed as a 'reserve' site, meaning there is no fixed use for this land for the next 15 to 20 years.
The spokesman reassured the farmers that the ministry has a programme to monitor the water and soil conditions in the area. It will ensure that disruptions are minimised.
But Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim, the association's president, was not placated.
She insisted that the same arguments were being trotted out by the ministry.
She said: 'I would like to invite the Prime Minister down on a weekend to see the hundreds of children and families here. If, after that, he can still say that the stockpile here is the right thing to do, then I shall accept it.' -
To put it bluntly to the farmers: TOO BAD.
Personally I don't see where we can put the granite anyway. And if our neighbours continually use granite to wield the clout against us, then of course it would make sense to stockpile granite.
And of course it makes even more sense to place it in a remote part of S'pore.
Save the country-side?
The piece of land there was definitely left-aside for such purposes when the need arises. -
we shall see den.
if dun put at kranji, den put at where?
lim chu kang, tuas, remote part of choa chu kang.....these are the only very few places.... -
put at Tuas better, why Mah Bo Tan never think of that ? Tuas is an industrial area, got dust never mind, Kranji is a farm, many visitors go there in weekend, the minister and MP dont know how to thinkOriginally posted by hiphop2009:we shall see den.
if dun put at kranji, den put at where?
lim chu kang, tuas, remote part of choa chu kang.....these are the only very few places.... -
ask her go fly kite...Originally posted by Lin Yu:An open invitation to the PM. Will he even go?