LATEST NEWS In Clementi
On 14 Mar 2012,Wed papers and 13 Mar 2012,Tue news
http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2012-03-14
(EL)
http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxcn/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2012-03-14
(CL)
Garden in Clementi Ave 4 to say goodbye
http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxcn/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2012-03-14
SINGAPORE - A plot of land in Clementi Avenue 4 is home to lush
vegetation bearing melons, bittergourd and jackfruit.
One can also find ponds and makeshift bridges fashioned out of
wooden planks going over them.
They are all the blood, sweat and tears of Clementi resident
Siow Siew Eng, 72. The retiree took over the management of the
"farm" from her godfather three years ago.
Her godfather, 87, built up the area and had maintained it for
the past three decades, alongside other similar ones. But there is
now a hitch.
Madam Siow's "farm" - part of a larger 1,800 sq m plot of land
bound by the Sungei Ulu Pandan canal, Clementi Avenue 4 and
Clementi Avenue 6 - belongs to the Government.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) posted notices on the illegal
structures last Tuesday, calling for those responsible for the
encroachments to come forward by next Tuesday.
If they fail to do so, the encroachments, especially those that
affect public health and safety, will be removed.
Yesterday, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Sim Ann accompanied
reporters on a tour of the site.
She said that a Clementi Avenue 4 resident complained about
burning leaves in the area a few weeks ago.
Stagnant ponds there also serve as potential mosquito breeding
grounds, noted Ms Sim. Concerned, she decided to write in to
SLA.
Only three families who illegally farm there have come forward
to identify themselves, but Ms Sim hopes more will do so.
Otherwise, it will be tough to have their views represented
during consultations with SLA and the National Environment Agency,
she said.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120314-333314/2.html
"Many residents have an interest in gardening. But our concern
is that it be done in a manner that is legal, orderly and doesn't
create nuisances and hazards for other people living nearby."
Ms Sim said that SLA has been gracious in allowing more time to
contact the land users.
An SLA spokesman said: "Pending the finalisation of development
plans for the site, SLA will seek and consider the views of the
grassroots organisations on whether some parts of the land can be
put up for some form of interim use for the enjoyment of the
residents."
Clementi resident Ng Ang Mui, 48, said her 76-year-old mother,
who lives with her, suffers from advanced-stage lung cancer.
To make matters worse, her two children have asthma and this was
exacerbated when they moved into their flat - a stone's throw away
from the land plot - six years ago.
The burning of leaves sometimes occur three to four times a day,
which, she told my paper, is hard to endure.
"I feel very frustrated... We have loved ones living here and it
can be quite life-threatening," said the part-time teacher.
Madam Siow said she is heartbroken but will leave the land if
she is required to do so.
"I have so many vegetable crops here. What will I do with
them?"
For more my paper stories click here.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1188733/1/.html
(VIEW IN WEBSITE)
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_777396.html
The group of residents who have been farming on a patch of state
land in Clementi Avenue 4 may now get a little breathing room.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which last week issued an
eviction notice on the illegal vegetable garden, is now asking
these farmers to come forward to discuss the issue.
If they fail to do this by March 20, their vegetable patches,
the sheds and other structures there will be cleared.
An SLA spokesman said it has no choice but to do this, because
public health and safety issues - from mosquitoes and air pollution
from the burning of leaves on the site - have been raised.
