HDB Annual Report 1979/80

Contents

Members of the Board 2

Principal Officers 3

Highlights 4

Chairman's Review 5

Administration & Finance 12

Building & Development 21

Estates & Lands 38

Resettlement 46

Statistics, charts and floor plans 50

Auditor's Report 74

Capital Accounts 76

Revenue Accounts 80

Notes to the 1979/80 Accounts 84

A myriad of lights at Bedok Town Centre
reflects the beginning of a new decade in
public housing, signifying the Board's
emphasis on qualitative development in the
eighties.

Housing and Development Board

National Development Building
Maxwell Road
Singapore 0106
Republic of Singapore
Telephone: 2224444
Telex: "Perumahan"

The new HDB logo, an evolution of the old one conceived two decades ago, retains some
characteristics of the old logo through the symbol of the home and the square frame
representing the housing environment. The result is a new visual image of the HDB that
reflects new trends and directions in Singapore's public housing and is still easily recognisable
by the man-in-the-street.
Members of the Board

Pictured from left: C V Devan Nair, Koh Cher Siang (Deputy Chairman), Hsuan Owyang, Michael Fam (Chairman),
Albert Hong and Leow Jwee Meng.

Chairman Members of the Board Mr Hsuan Owyang

Mr Michael Fam Mr C V Devan Nair Director and General Manager
Executive Chairman President Overseas Union Bank Ltd
Hume Industries (Far East) Ltd Singapore National Trades Union Congress 60 Robinson Road
Bukit Timah Road Trade Union House Singapore 0106
Singapore 2158 Shenton Way Mr Leow Jwee Meng
Deputy Chairman Singapore 0106 Chairman/Executive Director
Mr Koh Cher Siang Mr Albert HK Hong Food and Beverage (Pte) Ltd
Permanent Secretary Senior Partner 875 Bukit Timah Road
Ministry of National Development Raglan Squire and Partners Singapore 1027
National Development Building Thong Teck Building
Maxwell Road Scotts Road
Singapore 0106 Singapore 0922
2
Principal Officers
as at 31 March 1980

Chief Executive Officer Seet Chay Tuan Principal Contracts Officer

Liu Thai Ker Dip Arch (Hammersmith), MSIA, RIBA Tan Yong Seng
B Arch (Hons) (NSW), M C P (Yale), Principal Architects Dip QS (CEM), B Sc (Reading), AMBIM
MSIA, FSIP, RIBA, ARAIA
Robert Tay Siow Hwa Principal Surveyors
Dip Arch (Sheffield), MSIA, RIBA Yeoh Joo Pheng
Administration and Finance B Surveying (Queensland), Dip Land
Division Heng Fook Seng
Surveying, RMIT (Victoria), Reg Surveyor
Dip Arch (Birmingham), RIBA
Tan Teck Khiam (Ag)
Secretary Loh Swee Seng
William Chee Tiang Chin B Surveying (Hons) (NSW), MSIS,
B Arch (Newcastle), FRAIA, RIBA Reg Surveyor
BA (Malaya),
Barrister-at-Law (Lincoln's Inn) Phang Pock Tong Principal Electrical Engineer
B Arch (Melb) Lim Chan Tai
Senior Principal Assistant Secretary
Loke Kum Cheng Loh Choon Tong B Sc (Eng), P Eng, C Eng, MIEE
BA (S'pore), AMP, Cert Ed, MAEA B Arch (S'pore), MSIA
Chief Financial Officer Tan Sioe An
Estates and Lands Division
Fong Kok Woh Dip Arch (Bandung), M C P (Harvard), MSIP Manager, Estates and Lands
AASA, RAS Ng Boon Ong
Chief Civil Engineer
FRICS, FIH
Principal Accountants Liu Hua An
Tan Ngi Keng BE (Hons) (Adelaide), DIC, MICE, MIES Chief Estates and Lands Officer
AASA, ACIS, RAS, MBIM Chong Kim Chang
Senior Principal Civil Engineer
BA (Malaya), ARICS, Diploma in Urban
John Lim Kee Swee Yao Chee Liew
Social Development (The Hague)
Dip Acc, B Acc (S'pore),RAS BE (Sydney), MIES, MICE, M ASCE
Senior Principal Estates Officer
Tay Choon Chek Principal Civil Engineers Tham Yew Fang
AASA, AIB, Dip Acc (S'pore), RAS, MBIM Low Siew Aik ARICS
Chan Yoke Kai BE (Malaya), MIES, MICE, M ASCE, P Eng
Senior Principal Estates Officer (Estates)
B Ace (Hons) (S'pore), RAS Tan Kuang Whye Phang Wong Yew
Head, Systems and Research Department M Sc (Eng), FRMIT, MIES, MICE, FIH
Lim Koon Poh M ASCE, P Eng
Principal Estates Officer (South)
BA (Malaya) Heng Yee Siang Yow Kwok Sum
Honorary Consultant, Systems and BE (Hons) (Malaya), MICE, MIES, P Eng ARICS
Research Department
John Wei Principal Estates Officer (Central)
Professor Stephen H K Yeh
BE (Hons) (Malaya), MIES, M ASCE, Subramani Krishnamoorthy
AB (San Francisco State College),
P. Eng BA (Hons) (S'pore), Cert Ed
AM (New York University),
Ph D (New York University)
Low Seng Poh
Principal Systems Analyst Dip Eng (S'pore), BE (Hons) (S'pore),
Resettlement Department
Tan Soo Lee MICE, MIES, P Eng Head, Resettlement Department
B Sc (Hons) (London), M Sc (Nottingham), Lim Hoon Yong
Factory Manager (Brickworks and
AFIMA BA (Nanyang)
Tileworks)
See Tian Min Principal Resettlement Officer
Building and Development DLC (Hons), MIES, MICE, P Eng Teo Hee Cher (Ag)
Division Principal Mechanical Engineer ARICS
Manager, Building and Development Yeo Kian Huat
Chew Seong Yean BE (Sydney)
M Eng (S'pore), MIES, MIEM, MICE, Chief Structural Engineer
M ASCE Chua It Meng (Ag)
Chief Architect B Sc (Engineering) (London), MIES,
MI Struct E, M ASCE
Si Hoe Kok Sing
B Arch (NX), MSIA, RIBA Principal Structural Engineers
Senior Principal Architects Dr Saw Choo Ban
B Sc (Peking), M Sc, Ph D (Aberdeen),
Tony Tan Keng Joo
P Eng, C Eng, MIEM, MIES, MIE Aust,
Dip Arch (S'pore), MSIA MICE, MBCS
Mrs Yang Ai Fong Chong Wai Siak
B Arch (Melb), RIBA B Sc (Hons) (Manchester),
Goh Hup Chor M Sc (Manchester), P Eng, C Eng, MIEM,
B Arch (Melb), M Arch (Penn), MIES, MICE
MCP(Penn), RIBA, ARAIA, MSIA Pan Fon Nam
Victor Chee Teck Chiang FRMIT, MIES
B Arch (Melb), FRAIA, RIBA Chief Contracts Officer
Mrs Wong Choong Leng Yeoh Hooi Heng
B Arch (Melb), RIBA ERICS
3
Highlights

4
Chairman's Review

Like most other organisations in Singa- management tool, and the courses on
pore, large and small, we were severely "social awareness" conducted jointly
affected by the impact of the frequent with the Department of Social Welfare
increases in oil prices and high wage mainly for our Estates Officers.
adjustments recommended by the
National Wages Council. This resulted Housing Programme
in our more intensive search to increase
productivity through a greater degree of The beginning of the year under review,
mechanisation and greater emphasis on April 1979 to March 1980, saw the
professionalism. launching of the Fifth Five-Year Build-
ing Programme from 1981 to 1985.
We were similarly affected by the end- Public tenders were invited for these
of-decade syndrome. We tried to take a projects and awards made progressively.
few hard looks at the strengths and At the same time the Board continued to
weaknesses of our efforts in the seven- monitor the progress of the Fourth Five-
ties and endeavoured to better under- Year Building Programme.
stand the expectations and aspirations
of our residents in order to guide our- Despite the difficulties caused bythe up-
selves in the eighties in the areas of swing of the construction activities and
environmental design, our service to the corresponding shortage of labour
residents, and management of the and materials during the year, some
estates. 27,000 housing units were completed.
This brought the total number of
To meet these challenges we felt the housing units completed under the
need to more actively streamline our Fourth Five-Year Building Programme
management system and foster career (1976-80) to about 114,000.
development of our officers. Obviously,
this could not be accomplished in one By the end of 1980 around 134,000 units
year; it was, rather, a continuing process (127,600 flats) are expected to be com-
towards more clearly defined goals. pleted under the current building pro-
That set the tone for the year, and most gramme. The projected target for the
likely for some years to come. next five years is 90,000 to 105,000
units (85,000 to 100,000 flats). The
In organisational terms, our response to population housed in our flats will in-
these challenges resulted in the creation crease from 67% of the total population
of the Management Planning Unit in the in March 1980 to 69% and 75% by
Administration and Finance Division to March 1981 and the end of 1985 respect-
inject greater professionalism in cor- ively. The number of owner-occupied
porate planning, personnel manage- flats also increased from 54% of the
ment, recruitment and training. All flats under management in the previous
existing computer resources were year to 59% by the end of March 1980.
centralised under one roof through the
setting up of the Computer Services As a result of the year's effort, the
Department which would also develop developments in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok
new guidelines, services and pro- and Clementi were nearing completion.
grammes for future needs. In the Build- New areas such as Tampines and
ing and Development Division the Con- Hougang to the east, and Jurong East
struction Technology Unit was estab- and Jurong West to the west rapidly
lished to study areas to improve overall gained momentum and would be the
productivity in the building industry and major development areas in the next few
introduce more mechanisation at con- years.
struction sites. In the Estates and Lands
Division the Real Estate Analysis Unit Supply and demand
was formed to monitor market trends in The number of flats under construction
commercial and industrial sectors in continued to be roughly equal to the net
order to guide our development plans. demand on the waiting list thereby
sustaining the average waiting time of
Among the many training programmes, about two years or slightly more. The
which totalled 37 and occupied 236 days demand for flats, however, remained
in the year, the more significant ones high, possibly due to the inflation in
were seminars on the use of a pro- private property values beyond the reach
gramme and schedule system as a of many citizens and the relaxation of
5
income ceiling and many rules pertain- were to be built for immediate use. The their cumulative size often assumed the
ing to eligibility for flats. As a result the users could add or subtract modules proportion of new towns without the
total number of applications during the subsequently as flexibility was incor- associated amenities such as town
year reached 44,700 as against 38,400 in porated in the original design. centres, sports complexes and other
the previous year. The majority com- institutional facilities. Our planners
prising 35,600 applicants applied to buy The Building Industry attempted to re-structure these "estate-
flats and there were only 9,100 appli- conglomerates" as much as possible into
cants for rental flats during the year. Inflation new towns. Wherever practicable, com-
That brought the waiting list to purchase The construction industry in Singapore mercial and light and clean industrial
and to rent flats by the end of March experienced the worst inflation since premises were injected to boost employ-
1980 to a higher figure of 68,700 as 1974. Despite our effort to produce ment opportunities and make the old
compared with 66,300 a year earlier. much of the essential materials, con- estates more self-contained. Generally
Among them, 34,300 were existing struction cost increased by more than within a typical new town of 40,000
lessees, tenants or occupiers of HDB 30% during the year under review. In housing units, or approximately 200,000
flats in our estates, 5,400 were resettle- particular, labour shortage pushed up people, around 35,000-40,000 jobs
ment cases, leaving in effect 29,000 wages by 35%. Sand and brick prices could be created. This was feasible only
public applicants. Nevertheless, the rose by 47%, timber by about 32%, by dovetailing our redevelopment and
public housing programme appeared granite and reinforcement bars by conversion efforts into the planning
likely to be sustained at the present level around 22%. Towards the end of the concept. As a result of these efforts the
for some time. fiscal year, our officers were studying following estates were combined as new
the feasibility of increasing output of towns, at least on paper. Hopefully,
Besides the residential buildings, we also our plants to alleviate at least one main over a period of redevelopment, they
provided commercial and light indus- cause of the price inflation — the short- would function as such. These "estate-
trial facilities in our housing projects to age of supply of essential materials. conglomerates" comprised MacPherson
serve the needs of our residents and and part of Kallang Basin (26,000 hous-
resettlement cases. With the substantial ing units), St Michael's, Balestier and
Better contract conditions part of Kallang Basin (28,000 housing
increase in the resettlement activities in
recent years, the demand for these Shortage of labour, unstable pricing, units), Bukit Ho Swee and Tiong Bahru
facilities rose correspondingly. In addi- high collaterals required for bonds by (26,000 housing units), Henderson and
tion, as our commercial facilities includ- insurance companies as well as sub- Telok Blangah (40,000 housing units),
ing office premises began to draw more stantial variations of work in the course and Queenstown, Buona Vista, Ghim
and more patrons from the neighbour- of our contracts caused some anxiety Moh and Ayer Rajah (37,000 housing
ing private development areas, the among contractors. To reassure them, units).
demand for such facilities rose. Corres- we re-examined the existing contractual
pondingly, the need for more diverse terms and made a number of amend- Environment and building upgrading
floor sizes and usage, and better finished ments for new contracts. These included
revised procedures for variation orders, Redevelopment and conversion of old
and designed buildings became more estates commenced some time in 1978
strongly felt. The number of com- reduction of the quantum of security
deposits, less stringent rules on cash and continued during the year. Of the
mercial and industrial premises com- total stock of 88 blocks comprising
pleted in the year was about 1,200 units retention, and the early release of such
deposits and cash retention upon the some 19,400 one-room emergency flats,
as against 2,200 the year before. Despite 22 blocks were demolished by March
some fluctuations in the statistics, a high issue of the newly introduced provi-
sional completion certificates. 1980 and another 12 blocks in various
level of output would have to be stages of demolition. The demolition
sustained in the coming years. made available 13 parcels of vacant land
Improvements in Old Estates yielding six new building sites and seven
new open spaces. Of the six blocks com-
In addition, we also introduced the In the past annual reports we focussed prising nearly 3,000 dwelling units
detached and semi-detached expandable almost exclusively on new estates. How-
workshops for special industries as an identified for conversion, work was
ever, after 20 years of public housing, completed in two blocks.
addition to our existing series of terrace improvements to existing estates had
workshops, flatted factories and indus- become a significant aspect of our
trial shops. By our definition, special development works. Improvements to Through close monitoring of small-scale
industries included those with pollution the estates during the year could be pilot schemes, our officers were con-
problems or those requiring large out- viewed from three aspects, namely, vinced of the need to provide on void
door area and small indoor space. Each planning, environment and building up- ground floors electrical supply points
expandable workshop consisted of a grading. and taps and wash areas, mainly for
compact office and amenities core, food preparation on social occasions,
normally located at the front of sub- and kiosks at selected locations.
divided lots. The factory space was Planning
attached to it at the back and divided The various old estates were originally As a pilot scheme seven building blocks
into modules arranged in a series. Only planned as neighbourhoods. However, were installed with the closed circuit
a few of the modules in each workshop as more estates adjoined one another, television system. Cameras were
6
mounted in the lifts to transmit images New Concepts for Future Estates through variation in design, choice of
to TV screens in the lobby as well as in- materials and colour schemes. One
dividual sets in the flats. The system Last year the precinct concept was intro- could reasonably anticipate some
would be monitored for at least a year duced and became a regular tool used in enrichment to our new estates. But one
for evaluation. the planning and design of new housing should not expect dramatic visual dif-
estates. We also mentioned then our ference from one estate to another,
Other principal improvements to old attempt to inject individual character to because of the speed and volume of our
estates are listed here: the different precincts and new towns development and the great reliance on
the rectangular slab blocks of similar
size and shape as the basic units in the
housing estates.

However, as long as there was room for

improvement, our designers would add
in every refinement possible. Our work
was not made any easier by the fact that
though we had anticipated earlier a
significant drop in the numbers of hous-
ing units required thereby diverting
some spare energy to qualitative
improvements, we found ourselves
caught by the need to maintain both a
high volume of new tenders to be called
and a high standard in the quality of
housing.
Nevertheless, during the year, we took
our efforts in environmental design and
planning one step further. To minimise
the dwarfing effect of high-rise blocks,
we managed to slightly increase the use
of two- to four-storey buildings. At the
same time, we tried to look beyond the
boundaries of each precinct and created
spaces and vistas for some major streets.
This was done by the careful arrange-
ment and balance of building heights,
sizes and alignments on both sides of the
street. Sometimes the results could be an
intimate and casual enclosure; some-
times a formal design. A greater sense of
place hopefully could be generated from
this effort in streetscape. The visual
design problems involving high-rise high
density structures on a massive scale
were not something easily mastered. We
would continue to explore new possibili-
ties and develop new tools.

On a more tangible plane, after a few

years of experiment, we were convinced
of the marginal improvements that
could be brought about by our guide-
lines for barrier-free designs for the
handicapped. The needs of the handi-
capped could not be met entirely by the
redesign of buildings alone. The designs
of other community and communica-
tion facilities played an integral role.

On the external environment, we pro-

vided a greater variety of playgrounds
7
and introduced keep-fit games corners.
Inside the flats better finishes such as
aluminium sliding windows, ceramic
tiles in the kitchen, better lock sets and
doors, and steel door frames to some of
the flats were introduced. In addition,
better lighting in hawker centres and
better ventilation in food centres, eating
houses and public toilets were imple-
mented. The lift designs were modified
to reduce breakdowns and also to
provide better security for passengers.

Policy Changes
The inflation during the year, parti-
cularly towards its end, not only resulted
in higher construction cost but also
necessitated the increase in the selling
prices of all types of flats by 15% and
rentals by 10% from July 1979. Chang-
ing social and economic situations in the
country as a whole also necessitated the
following policy changes. We relaxed
the rules on eligibility and income ceiling
for our applicants and at the same time
increased the rates of compensation to
resettlement cases.

Relaxation of eligibility rules

The door to public housing was opened
wider. Not only was the family income
ceiling raised from $1,500 to $2,500 but
also special housing for non-citizens and
foreign workers became available. We
modified the basic citizenship require-
ments, facilitated mutual exchange of
balloted flats and encouraged families to
live together. For example, a family with
a wage-earning child who was still single
and might leave to set up his own home
could buy a flat provided the total
date of Government's gazette notifica- programmes enhance the confidence of
monthly family income did not exceed
tion but had at least three years all in the scheme. Undoubtedly, the full
$4,000. This was subject to the income
residence prior to the census survey by potential of such a scheme was to be
of the parents or the child not exceeding
the Resettlement Department also quali- explored further.
$2,500 each. Further, for working
fied for benefits.
parents aged 50 and above, their
monthly incomes would be discounted Plant management and prefabrication
Other Highlights
by 20%. Management of the quarries and the
Residents' Committees HDB brickworks and tileworks pro-
Better resettlement benefits By March 1980 111 Residents' Com- ceeded smoothly but with its normal
The resettlement policy was revised to mittees (RC) were formed in 32 consti- share of operational problems. Pro-
offer better benefits. This included tuencies as compared with 28 Com- duction of sand increased from 615,000
higher compensation rates for residen- mittees in five constituencies a year cu m a year ago to 965,000 in 1979/80
tial squatters and farmers. The earlier. The RC Secretariat in the Prime and tiles from 44 million pieces to nearly
resettlement grant for licensed farmers Minister's Office had the staff strength 49 million pieces. Operational problems
was raised from $11,800 to $15,000. increased from 20 persons to 120 caused some reduction in our granite
Land allocation was no longer part of persons in the year. These were experi- quarries, from 930,000 tonnes to
resettlement conditions. Instead, enced officers seconded from our 870,000 tonnes, and in our brick pro-
priority was accorded to farmers Estates and Lands Division. The enthu- duction from 28 million pieces to
requesting for our shops or workshops. siasm of the RC members and positive around 27 million pieces. Our brick-
Families who lived on the land after the response of the residents to their activity works succeeded in introducing two
8
more colours to the existing terra-cotta Agency work serve, on the one hand, to ensure a
and dark brown colours to our bricks to In January 1979 work began on Phases smoother and more productive imple-
enhance visual variation to our build- VI and VII to reclaim 360 hectares of mentation of our projects, and on the
ings. Because of the series of island-wide land right in the hub of the Republic's other, to effect more efficient construc-
shortages of bricks due to some pro- business centre. By the end of March tion techniques.
blems of bricks coming from foreign 1980 16% of East Coast Phases VI and
sources, we also succeeded in a short VII were completed. Reclamation of 44 Our path to the future has become
time to have brick-sized solid concrete hectares at Pasir Ris which began in longer and more arduous with each
blocks produced by the existing hollow 1978 was completed during the year. succeeding year. We look upon it with a
block manufacturers by the beginning sense of excitement about the unfamil-
of 1980 at an average rate of a million In response to the accelerated com- iar, but not without a fair share of
pieces per month. That switch not only munity centres construction pro- anxiety.
averted delays to our projects but also gramme, tenders for 14 community
pioneered a new product in Singapore. centres were invited during the year, and
work commenced on 14 centres. Of Conclusion
these, nine were expected to be com- The Board has come a long way with 20
Despite two abortive attempts on pre-
pleted at the end of 1980 and another years of experience in public housing.
fabrication in the last two decades, we
five in the first quarter of 1981. Of the The end of this financial year Was an
renewed our effort in prefabrication
three mosques under construction appropriate time for reflection and to
once more. Prefabrication is a building
during the year in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok reach out for new concepts and new
technique of making building
and Woodlands, the $1.8 million An- thinking. On this note, I wish to express
components in a factory for delivering
Nur Mosque in Woodlands was com- my deep appreciation to fellow
and assembling on the site. This would
pleted and opened in April 1980. Members of the Board for their dedi-
save labour, attract factory workers to
cation and invaluable counselling and
the building industry and improve better
Problems and Prospects guidance.
workmanship and job safety. The pre-
qualification tender was called in In 1978 we identified three main tasks
August 1979 and the tender in February Despite the departure of several key per-
for the future: better environmental sonnel to higher positions in the
1980. design, community relations and more previous year, the remaining team under
efficient construction techniques. To the leadership of the new Chief Execu-
Resettlement efforts tackle these issues is like trying to climb tive Officer was able to sustain and ride
a tower of unlimited height. It is an end- on the momentum and achievements of
A new record was set in our resettlement
less process of exploration requiring their predecessors. There were recognis-
effort. 18,000 cases were cleared at a
keen intellectual curiosity and physical able changes in both professional per-
total compensation of around $95
endurance. Perhaps, our immediate formance and management policies.
million as compared with some 16,500
hope is to make a quantum jump in at
cases and $53 million in the previous
least two areas which we are more With good management backed by
year. This more intensive pace resulted
familiar with, the environmental design dedicated and hardworking staff
from a broader definition of the pur-
and construction techniques. The whole throughout the rank and file, the Board
poses of resettlement. Besides, for
area of community relations, or in its. is poised to enter the eighties with
development purpose, land clearance
expanded form, community develop- renewed confidence to meet the chal-
actions were extended to cover unsightly
ment, is beyond the competence of one lenges ahead.
structures along major thoroughfares
agency. Nevertheless, we shall try our
and squatters in the catchment area of
best to sharpen our thinking and to
the Singapore and Kallang Rivers in
acquire more skills. But our input can
order to eliminate this source of water
only be a part of a bigger whole. In
pollution.
addition, our objective would be more Michael Fam
effectively realised if we can also take Chairman
Research and computer services several big leaps forward in the area of
Our research programmes emphasised management training and career
action-orientated studies that should development of our staff. Further head-
contribute to the attainment of our way needs to be made to overcome the
policy goals and the solution of specific perennial shortages of staff and upgrade
management and operational problems. our officers' skills to better equip them
About a dozen follow-up surveys on for the challenges of the eighties.
residents' responses to our buildings and
facilities were conducted. Meanwhile, At the same time as the supply of mate-
the new Computer Services Department rials and labour becomes an increasingly
was gearing itself up to more systems serious problem, we may be forced to
studies and designs in order to put more expand our functions in the construction
records on and operations through the field to become a more fully integrated
computers. organisation. Hopefully this would
9
 Organisation

Chairman

(Direct reporting to Chairman)

Chief Executive Officer

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

(Administratively responsible to Deputy Chief Executive Officer)

Administration & Finance Building & Development

Division Division

Internal Systems & Computer Contracts & Civil

Finance Architectural
Audit Secretariat Research Services Administration Engineering
Department Department
Department Department Department Department

10
 Staff Strength in 1979/80

Estates & Lands

Division

Allocations Estates
Structural Electrical
Survey &Land &Land Legal Resettlement
Engineering Engineering
Department Acquisition Management Department Department
Department Department
Department Department

11
Administration & Finance

Organisation March 1980 the Board's staff strength

stood at 12,126 employees, including
In twenty years of public housing the 5,157 daily-rated employees. Some of the major areas which came
Housing and Development Board has under planning focus included in-
provided homes for 67% of Singapore's Planning creasing mechanisation and automation
total population of 2.38 million. The to alleviate the tight labour situation,
Board, established by the Housing and To cope with the continual growth of expediting the flow of relevant infor-
Development Act in February 1960, is a the Board and the increasing complexity mation, organisational development
Statutory Body under the portfolio of and changes in the nature and scope of through the streamlining of Divisions
the Minister for National Development both the building programme and and Departments, and development and
who appoints the Chairman, Deputy estates management, a Management implementation of evaluation and
Chairman and the Members of the Planning Section was established during control systems for better coordination
Board. the year to monitor elements such as of the building and resettlement
external environmental factors, public programmes.
The Board's organisation is headed by
the Chief Executive Officer who is demand, development cost, architect- To keep up with change and the
appointed by the Board with the ural and engineering operations, man- growing demand for managerial excel-
approval of the Minister. Under the power, research and development. lence, systematic efforts were taken to
Chief Executive Officer are the Admini- Through the institutionalisation of a improve management skills. A compre-
stration and Finance Division, Building formal planning process, the Admini- hensive review of manpower develop-
and Development Division, Estates and stration has been able to develop a more ment was made and several manage-
Lands Division, Resettlement Depart- systematic and effective approach to the ment and technical programmes were
ment, and Internal Audit. As at 31 Board's operations. introduced to upgrade staff at all levels.
12
 VIP delegations from ASEAN countries included (top) HE Drs Cosmas Batubara, Senior Minister of State
f o r Public Housing, Indonesia; (top right) the Thai National Defence College led by its Superintendent, Lt
Gen Nuan Hinchiranan; (above right) YAB Dr Lim Chong Eu, Ketua Mentri Pulau Pinang and delegation
visiting the Board's project at Bras Basah Complex; and (above left) Encik Mohd Zain Bin Haji Abdul Majid,
JMN, DSN, Chairman, Urban Development Authority, Malaysia (second from left).

stand and set meaningful objectives Pingat Berkebolehan

within the framework of their respon- (The Efficiency Medal)
sibilities. Mr Chang Wai Kok
Technical Officer (Architectural)
Distinguished visitors to the Board during the year
Personnel Management Mr Low Cheng Lim
included (clockwise): The Honourable Ranasinghe Administration Assistant
Premadasa, Prime Minister, Democratic NWC allowance
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; HH Shaikh Isa Bin
Salman Al-Khalifa, the Amir of the State of
The Board implemented the wage The Board also presented long service
Bahrain being introduced to Mr C V Devan Nair, increases recommended by the National awards to 39 officers during the year.
Board Member by Mr Michael Fam, Chairman of Wages Council for 1979. The wage These awards were given to officers who
the Board; Their Majesties King Birendra Bir
Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Aishwarya Rajya increases were $32 plus 2.5% subject to had served the Board for 25 years, and
Laxmi Devi Shah of Nepal being briefed by HDB a minimum of 7% for monthly- and officers who retired after having served
Chairman; HE Mr Eliezer Francois, Minister for daily-rated staff and 11.5% for super- the Board for 20 years or more. A com-
Housing, Mauritius receiving the Board's medallion scale officers on fixed salaries.
from Mr Chew Seong Yean, HDB's Manager of mendation for public spiritedness was
Building and Development Division; HE Mr given to one officer for apprehending an
Miltoni V Leweniqila, Minister of Urban
Development and Housing, Fiji, signing the
Awards armed robber.
Visitors' Book; HE Mr Vidoje Zarkovic, Vice-
President, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Five officers received awards on Singa- Union's education fund
being presented with the Board's medallion by Mr pore's National Day on 9 August. They
Liu Thai Ker, HDB's Chief Executive Officer; The were: In response to the request by the Public
Honourable Mr Speaker Nabulyato of Zambia Daily-Rated Housing and Development
(centre) being briefed by Mr Chee Tiang Chin, Pingat Pentadbiran Awam
HDB Secretary; and HE Mr Mohammad Ali Khan, (The Public Administration Medal Board Workers' Union, the Board
Minister of Education, Pakistan.
— Silver) provided financial assistance to the
Mr Goh Hup Chor union's education fund for members'
351 officers participated in local training children. During the year the Board con-
courses, seminars and conferences. 18 Senior Principal Architect
Mr Yeoh Hooi Heng tributed $10,100 to the union's fund
officers were granted overseas scholar- based on $2 per daily-rated employee.
ships and training and study tour Senior Principal Contracts Officer
awards.
Pingat Pentadbiran Awam Staff welfare
In addition, a management climate was (The Public Administration Medal 16,000 staff members and their families
created to accentuate the positive contri- — Bronze) attended the annual festivity held at the
bution of staff and to help them under- Mr Phang Pock Tong, Senior Architect Singapore Zoological Gardens. The
13
function was organised in conjunction Financial Highlights
with Club HDB.

A new clubhouse was built to provide

staff members with better sports and
recreational facilities. The clubhouse in
Toa Payoh was officially opened by the
Minister for National Development, Mr
Teh Cheang Wan on 15 March 1980.

Study tour of ASEAN countries

To broaden the Management's per-
ception and understanding of different
approaches to public housing in
ASEAN, the senior management of the
Board led by the Chairman continued
the visits to housing authorities and
called on senior Government officials in
Thailand and Indonesia.

These visits, apart from developing

goodwill and valuable first hand contact
with senior officials of the housing
authorities, have given the Management
a better understanding of the institu-
tional framework for housing and the
policies on population and human settle-
ments in the ASEAN countries.

"Our Home"
For the eighth year running, "Our
Home" maintains a personal dialogue
between the Board and its residents.
With each bi-monthly issue, 260,000
copies of "Our Home" were distributed
free to HDB and JTC households in the
year under review.

The Board's progress was projected *Excludes adjustment items relating to previous years' accounts. In 1979/80 there was an
through informative articles on its new adjustment of income of $20 million from accumulated survey fees from 1964 to March 1979.
development projects, latest building
designs, and relaxation of rules per- half-yearly using the annuity method. was $33 million. The recurrent deficits
taining to eligibility for flats. To add to are fully subsidised by the Government
the variety of educational articles, a new In 1979/80 loans totalling $836 million through provisions made in the Govern-
feature entitled "Doctor's Day" was were allocated by the Government to the ment's Main Estimates.
introduced and well received by resi- Board. This formed one-third of the
dents. The popular children's page total Government's Development
"Playpen" was revised and given a new Capital and Revenue Accounts
Estimates of $2,560 million, reflecting
outlook. the high commitment by the Govern- The capital accounts of the Board show
ment to the public housing programme. the expenditure on land acquisition,
Financing of Public Housing construction of buildings, development
The Board's annual revenue expenditure and improvement, and the operations of
The public housing programme has has always exceeded annual revenue the Board's subsidiaries. The revenue
been financed by loans from the income as the rentals of flats are fixed at accounts present the income from rent,
Government. Loans for properties sub-economic level and the Board has to service and conservancy fees, interest
developed for sale are repayable over 10 pay property tax and other charges like and other miscellaneous sources. The
years with interest at 6% per annum and any other private landlord. The housing revenue expenditure reflects the expendi-
loans for properties for rent are repay- subsidy from the Government for the ture on loan repayments, property tax,
able over 60 years at 7¾% interest per year under review, after offsetting $20 administration, and maintenance and
annum. All loan repayments are made million from accumulated survey fees, conservancy charges.
14
Disposition of Revenue Income April 1979—March 1980

Expenditure $407 million

Income $354 million

Loan charges do not include principal repayment of Government loan for constructing flats for sale. Property tax relates only to rented
properties. Property tax for sold properties is payable by the purchasers. Principal repayments on mortgage loan are not included in
Income. Interest covers interest from Home Ownership mortgage and other loans, banks and investments.

15
Internal Audit of the need for a centralised computer Research projects
services body to provide better infor- Surveys and research projects provide
The Internal Audit Section is directly mation feedback, consolidate and up-
answerable to the Chairman. The feedback information for planning,
grade existing in-house computer development and management pur-
section conducts independent reviews of systems, and extend computer services
accounting, financial and other opera- poses. The following are some of the
to more areas of operations to enhance
tions, and provides the Management projects carried out during the year:
productivity.
with objective analyses, appraisals and
recommendations to improve opera- At the end of March 1980 there were 45 Survey on ground floor flats
tions. officers, which included 16 with various This study established the reasons for
The Internal Audit Section is being degrees of proficiency in computer residents opting for ground floor flats
geared to progressively widen its scope systems design work and programming and the problems encountered in
to cover financial management, data experience. Of the 45 officers 43 were ground floor flats. Suggestions were
processing and technical auditing. transferred from other departments of sought from residents on improve-
the Board and two appointed directly. ments to better the living conditions of
Management Information ground floor residents.
The department is grateful to the Post
Data bank Office Savings Bank, Central Pro- Study of HDB playground equipment
vident Fund Board, and Singapore
The Board's data bank serves as a nerve Bus Services for their advice and assis- This study provided feedback on the
centre providing socio-economic infor- tance in upgrading the Board's comput- popularity of the various types of play
mation on HDB households and er services. equipment in various categories of
applicants on the waiting list to buy and playgrounds, the usage of these recrea-
to rent flats. Compiled quarterly, the For day to day operation needs there tional outlets, and the problems encoun-
live registers also include information on are 68 computer systems and over 600 tered on the maintenance of play-
loans outstanding, rent arrears and use programmes serving all divisions/ grounds.
of Central Provident Fund credits for departments of the Board. The areas
the purchase of flats. covered by the major computer systems Survey on parking facilities in Toa
are planning and research, accounting, Payoh Town Centre
Computer systems development estates management, building pro- The main objective of this study was to
The Computer Services Department was gramme, allocation of essential building ascertain the provision and utilisation of
formed in December 1979 in recognition materials and lift performance. car parks in Toa Payoh Town Centre.

Survey of parking facilities in

HDB industrial estates
New computer systems developed included:
This survey reviewed the existing pro-
Systems studies — systems overview of HDB Computer Services Section vision of parking facilities in HDB
— utilisation of computers in Survey Section industrial estates and arrived at guide-
— computerisation of Contracts Section lines on their optimum provision.
— systems outline of billing procedure for the Housing and
Urban Development Company (HUDQ Study on demand for indoor facilities
Systems designs — payroll system for daily-rated staff at Delta Sports Complex
and — allocation of properties to Housing & Maintenance
implementation Inspectors with varying degrees of experience This study looked into the demand
pattern for badminton courts and table
— monthly feedback of information on new residents tennis tables in Delta Sports Complex.
-— conversion of card input data source to tape input data source A comparison was made with the
Other electronic — ad hoc urgent processing needs of divisions/departments of utilisation of badminton courts at the
data processing the Board Singapore Badminton Hall and HDB
work — electronic data processing service to Government Area Offices.
departments and other Statutory Bodies such as the Jurong
Town Corporation, People's Association and HUDC Feasibility study on maintaining a
Major projects in progress were: common pool of vehicles for the
Systems studies personnel records of staff Board or each division
central house address This study examined the existing utili-
building programme network structure sation level of Board vehicles and the
general ledger and financial accounting transport requirements of the various
overall management information departments. Attempts were also made
Systems design HUDC billing system to look into the feasibility of main-
and billing and payment systems, and other accounting taining a common pool of vehicles.
implementation systems of the Contracts Section of the Board
system of allocation of flats Creative play equipment were introduced in
accounting system for deposits from applicants various housing estates during the year.
16
Location of HDB Developments

Annual maximum temperature

(Jan - Dec 1979) 31.0°C
Annual minimum temperature
(Jan - Dec 1979) 23.9°C
Annual total rainfall
(Jan - Dec 1979) 2168 mm

Equator 136.8 km
Area 618 sq km
Population 2,377,800

Housing estates under development

Ah Hood Road
Ayer Rajah
Bukit Batok
Bukit Purmei
Changi Village
Geylang East
Haig Road
Kallang Basin
Kampong Java
Kampong Silat
Rajah Court
St George's Road
Teck Whye

18
New towns under development

Ang Mo Kio
Bedok
Clementi
Hougang
Jurong East
Jurong West
Queenstown
Tampines
Telok Blangah
Toa Payoh
Woodlands
Yishun

* including 100 hectares of National Park Land

** 16,000 housing units in Stage 1 Development
19
Building & Development

The Building Programe contractors in the tendering for its pro- scheme will increase the pool of local
jects. workers in the long run.
The year saw increasing sophistication
in public housing developments in Building materials Contractors
anticipation of higher aspirations from
Singaporeans. 25,702 flats, 741 shops In 1979/80 the prices of building During the year there was poor response
and 462 units of industrial premises were materials registered very high increases. from contractors to tender for Board
built, providing a total floor area of 2.8 Among the major materials, sand and projects due to the uncertain market
million square metres. Commercial bricks increased by 47%, timber by situation and the anxiety created by the
facilities completed comprised six HDB 32%, granite aggregates by 22%, and frequent oil price increases. Tenders
Area Offices, six post offices/Post reinforcement steel bars by 21 %. included larger provisions for contin-
Office Savings Banks, seven mar- gencies resulting in higher bids.
kets/food centres, three emporiums, The step up of construction activities in
four supermarkets, four restaurants, the public and private sectors and the The following measures were introduced
and five coffee houses. Community restriction of supplies from traditional to encourage better response from con-
facilities built consisted of 10 kinder- sources led to some shortages of tractors:
gartens, four community halls, two building materials during the year. The
offices for Residents' Committees, four Board did not, however, encounter 1 Lowering security deposits
homes and one recreation centre for serious shortages as several corrective To assist contractors with their cash
senior citizens, and one education measures were taken to overcome the flow, the Board twice revised the quan-
centre. situation. These measures included tum of security deposits.
increases in the production of concreting
Projects under construction as at 31 sand from 45,000 cubic metres to a peak In June 1979 the deposit was reduced
March 1980 consisted of 36,012 flats, of 100,000 cubic metres per month and from 30% and 20% to 20% and 10%
1,096 shops and 1,699 units of industrial the production of plastering sand respectively for new and relatively new
premises, which when completed will amounting to 10,000 cubic metres per contractors.
provide a total floor area of 4.4 million month beginning in December 1979.
square metres. Another measure was the substitution of In February 1980 merit star contractors
bricks with solid concrete blocks from were given the option of providing the
The target in the Fifth Five-Year Build- January 1980. The Board was the leader 5% security deposit either in the form of
ing Programme (1981-85) is 90,000 to in this field and many private sector bank guarantees or insurance bonds, or
105,000 housing units compared with developers followed suit. Stockpiling of by their personal guarantees. The
125,000 to 150,000 in the current five- materials was also taken to overcome quantum of security deposit for new
year building programme. This is the problem of shortages of building and relatively new contractors was
because the Board has, subject to sea- materials. The Board stockpiled up to reduced from 20% and 10% to 10%
sonal fluctuations, met the backlog of 127,000 tonnes of granite aggregates of and 7½ % respectively.
the demand for public housing. How- which 45% was subsequently used to
ever, the tempo of construction will be meet increased demand during the first These security deposits, usually in the
maintained with the building of larger quarter of 1980. form of insurance bonds, are now only
flats and greater emphasis on achieving required to cover the period of contract
further qualitative improvements in Labour until completion. They are released as
public housing. soon as the contracts are certified
The upswing in construction activities in
both Singapore and Malaysia has complete and are no longer retained for
Construction Industry created a very high demand for both the one-year defects liability period.
skilled and unskilled labour in the 2 Relaxing cash retention
During the year there was increased region. As a result, Singapore, which
momentum in private construction requirements
relies heavily on foreign labour, expe-
activities. Though not of the same rienced a labour shortage which pushed To further assist contractors with their
magnitude as the boom of the early labour cost up by 35%. The number of cash flow, the Board relaxed the cash
seventies, it nevertheless created a strain work permits issued by the Ministry of retention requirements. The maximum
on the already tight construction labour Labour dropped to 7,340 in 1979/80 cash retention in any contract is limited
and materials market. With many large- compared with 9,627 in 1978/79. to $500,000. Where the total retention
scale private projects in the pipeline, exceeds this amount the excess can be
this trend is expected to continue for The Board foresaw this problem several covered by an approved guarantee or
some time. This upswing in private con- years ago and launched a training bond.
struction activities has caused the Board scheme jointly with the Vocational Insti-
some concern in the supply of labour, tute Training Board to provide a core of 3 Issuing provisional completion
materials and the poor response from skilled workers for the local construc- certificate
tion industry. Since its inception in 1974 The release of the retention money has
Earth from Tampines cut site bound for
Phases VI and VII of the East Coast 529 trainees have graduated. 564 been expedited with the introduction of
Reclamation, HDB's largest agency project apprentices were undergoing training as the provisional completion certificate.
costing $352 million. at 31 March 1980. It is hoped that this This certificate is issued when the con-
21
tractor has substantially completed his in new towns in Ang Mo Kio (12,979 meet the demand from resettlement
contract but is unable to obtain the certi- housing units), Bedok (5,349 housing cases, the Board continued to build
ficate of completion as minor works are units), Clementi (3,106 housing units) more light industrial premises. In
still to be completed. However, with the and Woodlands (1,171 housing units), 1979/80 the Board completed 441
issue of the provisional certificate, 50% and in a number of smaller scale pro- terrace workshops, 18 industrial shops,
of the retention money can now be jects in housing estates (2,235 housing and three canteens. In addition, one
released; the other half will be released units) (see pages 18 and 19). block of flatted factories was built for
on completion of the contract. the Jurong Town Corporation. Under
The town of Ang Mo Kio is expected to construction were 1,257 terrace work-
4 Merit star scheme be completed by late 1980. In Bedok the shops and 387 industrial shops.
The merit star scheme continued to act newly completed town centre has
as an incentive for contractors to become the focal point of orientation in
2 Special industries
perform their contracts well. A contrac- the new town. Over in Clementi
construction work in progress on the Special industries with pollution
tor can be awarded a maximum of five
town centre is expected to be completed problems would be located in industrial
merit stars, with each star giving him a
by mid 1980. parks consisting of prototype factories
half percent advantage in his tenders
in various sizes on lots ranging from 900
over those without merit stars. As at 31
Under construction at the end of the sq m, 1,800 sq m, 3,600 sq m to 4,300
March 1980 there were 98 merit star
year were 33,528 flats. These included sq m.
contractors with one to five stars as
against 73 a year ago. the development of Jurong East and
Jurong West New Towns where the The first batch of 55 prototype factories
Building cost planning will maximise the locational at Defu Industrial Park was at various
advantage of existing regional open stages of completion. Tenders were
Building cost of public housing rose by spaces in Jurong Lake, Chinese and called for another 144 factories in
30% over that in 1978/79, the result of Japanese Gardens and the Jurong Golf Woodlands and Defu.
very keen competition for scarce Course. Tampines New Town,
resources in the building industry and structured on the precinct planning con-
increases in oil prices. New designs cept, will have the first of the Board's Farmland development
adding a qualitative dimension to public "new generation" flats with larger floor
housing also contributed to higher areas and better finishes. Making its 1 Pig farms
building cost. appearance in the eastern part of Singa- The Board continued to develop pig
pore is Hougang New Town where five- farms on behalf of the Primary Produc-
Review of Major New room maisonettes were introduced. tion Department. During the year 43
Developments hectares of farmland at Punggol were
Commercial developments completed and another 60 hectares were
Public housing developments being developed.
1 Central Area
1 Central Area For the period under review 124 shops,
5,500 sq m of office space, one office 2 Fish farms
A number of our Central Area projects
for a bank and two coffee houses were Another 24 plots of fish farmland in
was completed providing 862 new flats.
completed in the Central Area. Under Tampines were ready for leasing to trop-
They represented the result of our new construction were 438 shops, 13,000 sq
effort to inject greater architectural ical fish farmers affected by public
m of office space, one emporium and development projects.
quality in the building of complexes with one supermarket.
the corresponding environmental up-
grading. These were Bras Basah Crematorium and columbarium
2 New towns and suburban in Mandai
Complex, Tanjong Pagar Plaza Con-
areas
tract 2, Hong Lim Complex Contract 2
(Part), and Kitchener Complex Contract In the various neighbourhood and town To ensure a continuous supply of land
2 (Part). centres and suburban areas 617 shops, through the clearance of old cemeteries
three emporiums, four supermarkets, to meet future building programmes the
Projects under construction by the end four restaurants, three offices for banks Board will build a large crematorium in
of the year comprised 2,436 flats in and three coffee houses were completed Mandai to cremate exhumed remains
Albert Centre, Crawford Centre, Hong during the year. Under construction from cemeteries affected by public
Lim Complex, Kelantan Centre, were 658 shops, one emporium, one housing. The crematorium will be
supermarket and two coffee houses. designed in a parkland setting sur-
Kitchener Complex, Kreta Ayer Com-
plex, Kreta Ayer Centre and Buffalo rounded by green nature reserve on an
Industrial developments 11-hectare hilly site. It will have a capa-
Road.
city of 12,000 cremations annually and
1 Terrace workshops and flatted will be equipped with 12 modern high-
2 Non Central Area factories efficiency cremators when completed by
During the year 24,840 flats were com- In line with the policy to incorporate the end of 1981. There will be a colum-
pleted outside the Central Area, largely light industries in housing estates and to barium with 200,000 niches.
22
Hougang New Town Phase 1

23
Activity Review
Plant operations
The production of HDB plants in
1979/80 is given below:
20 mm granite
aggregates 870,000 tonnes
Concreting sand . 965,000 cubic metres
Plastering sand . . . 40,000 cubic metres
Bricks 26.7 million pieces
Glazed wall tiles
(premium grade). . . 48.9 million pieces

During the year the Board's sand quarry

in Bedok helped to meet some of the de-
mand from other Statutory Boards and
Government departments. In antici-
pation of higher demand in the coming
year, efforts were intensified to explore
new sites for sand quarry operations.

To ensure adequate supply of granite

aggregates for future building pro-
grammes, a new crushing plant at insulated PVC cables. This replaces the
Mandai has been planned and construc- old rubber insulated cables which have
tion is scheduled to begin in mid 1980. deteriorated with age. A further 8,473
The $31 million plant will have a flats built in 1962 and 1963 will be
monthly production capacity of 90,000 similarly rewired in 1980/81.
tonnes of 20 mm granite aggregates and
Metal formwork
is expected to be operational in the
fourth quarter of 1981. Since the introduction of metal form-
work in 1974 11,236 housing units were
The brickworks lower output of 26.7 built using this system by March 1980 as
million pieces of bricks during the year follows:
was due mainly to a major breakdown Three-room flats 7,294
in one of the brickworks' kilns. In Four-room flats 1,959
addition to the existing natural red and Five-room flats 1,920
dark brown colours of bricks, two addi- Shops 63
tional colours for facing bricks were Total 11,236
introduced, ie "pebbles" or medium
grey bricks and apricot colour bricks. Another 12 sets of metal formwork The consistent output of the Board's plants
costing $7.9 million was purchased in producing granite aggregates (right), bricks
February 1980. These new sets have pro- and tiles (above) helped minimise the rising
A $17 million contract was awarded for cost of essential building materials.
the expansion and modernisation of the prietary steel propping and bracing
brickworks to increase the production systems.
ducted checks to complement on-site
capacity to at least 55 million pieces per Electrical Testing Unit inspections of materials and fabricated
annum. In 1979/80 the Electrical Testing Unit components by supervising officers.
tested electrical accessories in 33,163 During the year 480 site visits covering
Repairs and redecoration 90 contracts were made. Errant con-
flats and shops. For the approval of
During the year 51,693 housing units licences to use or operate electrical and tractors were fined to prevent re-
were repaired and redecorated under the supply installations under the Public occurrences of lapses in standards.
normal five-year maintenance pro- Utilities Regulations 1974, the unit also
gramme. The improvements and main- carried out electrical testing of buildings Safety Unit
tenance work included repainting the including Colombo Court, Selegie Com- The Board's Safety Unit continued to
facades of buildings, diversion of sullage plex, Upper Pickering Street Office and enforce safety measures and promote
water into sewerage systems, providing Chin Swee Area Office. In addition, the safety consciousness at construction
ventilation openings to lift shafts and unit also tested agency projects such as sites. A list of safety measures was incor-
constructing playgrounds. post offices, polyclinics, mosques, com- porated in the Board's contract speci-
munity centres and kindergartens. fications and safety committees were
Rewiring of old flats introduced in all construction sites. The
In 1979/80 6,129 flats built between Materials Inspectorate Unit unit also implemented a registration
1959 and 1961 were rewired with double The Materials Inspectorate Unit con- scheme for gondola cradle systems to
24
ensure that materials and equipment
comply with its stringent requirements.
Peripheral overhead netting and steel
wire barricades have also been success-
fully introduced. Metal scaffolding was
under experimentation during the year.
Close liaison was maintained with the
Ministry of Labour and the National
Productivity Board in the area of safety
education and training.

Water Pump Service Unit

As at 31 March 1980 2,389 pump sets in
the Board's estates were maintained by
the Water Pump Service Unit.

The unit also carried out modification

works on older pumping systems. To
improve water supply to higher floors in
apartment blocks, a new standardised
piping design was developed and imple-
mented during the year.

Batch testing of electrical

accessories
To provide quality materials and acces-
sories, the Board continued batch
testing by the Singapore Institute of
Standards and Industrial Research on
switches, socket outlets, consumer
control units, batten lampholders, ceil-
ing roses and connectors. Batch testing
for fluorescent tubes and tap-off units
was introduced during the year.

Guidelines and standards

Guidelines and standards were formu- Towards better homes for Singaporeans. The
lated for the following: the new towns in Jurong East and
commitment towards this goal pervades Jurong West, Bedok and Tampines,
1 Lighting in town and through all levels in the Board. Clockwise:
The Board's management team headed by the and the East Coast Reclamation. A total
neighbourhood centres Chief Executive Officer, Mr Liu Thai Ker of 510 sites was computed and deline-
2 Lighting in markets and food (fifth from right) studying the blue print for ated on survey plans for alienation and
centres a new estate; Board engineers holding a acquisition purposes.
3 Lighting in sports and games discussion with contractors at a work site;
daily-rated workers responsible for cleansing
centres work in housing estates; architects reviewing The acquisition of a computerised plot-
4 Ventilation in food centres, eating the progress of a project; and a landscaping ting system during the year resulted in a
houses and toilets team at work. survey record of 51,200 flats. This was
5 Allocation of space to Members of an increase of 19,690 flats over the pre-
Parliament for non-profit oriented 5 Use of solid and hollow concrete vious year.
community and education facilities blocks in lieu of bricks
6 Barrier-free design for the 6 Use of mild steel door frame
7 Choice of system for prefabricated New Directions
handicapped
housing Each decade since HDB's formation in
8 Name plates for blocks and streets 1960 posed specific problems. These
Research studies
9 Transit centres at markets/cooked problems set the stage for the emergence
The following research and cost studies food centres of new challenges and opportunities. To
were conducted: take a few random examples, the experi-
1 Use of ready-mixed concrete Surveying works ence gained in the provision of basic
2 Recesses for pipes and wirings Topographical surveys were carried out accommodation in the early sixties, such
3 Aluminium sliding windows as mainly at Bukit Batok, Sungei Buloh as in Bukit Ho Swee, served as a step-
against metal casement windows and Bishan. Survey activities relating to ping stone for improvements in flat
4 Use of passenger hoists civil engineering works were largely in design in subsequent years. Similarly,
26
 Individuality is further achieved by
means of the unique design of the town
centre and neighbourhood centres. Cer-
tain architectural features and details of
consistent theme may be repeated
throughout a new town. Examples in-
clude splayed corners for building
blocks in Jurong East, rounded corners
in Hougang and pitched metal roofs in
Tampines.

The main approaches to the new towns

are to be marked, among others, by dis-
tinctive buildings; by paying special
attention to the design of the facades
and forms of strategically located resi-
dential blocks; or over time, by the
gradual in-filling of sites reserved for
commercial, institutional or other
special uses.

Certain main streets within the town,

fident to set new goals for the eighties: particularly those leading directly to the
the creation of a visually more exciting town centre, are designed to give a sense
environment through urban design and of formality and order in the street-
street architecture for our new towns scape. Other streets within the town are
and housing estates. designed to be recognisable by their own
Design and planning character through varying the pattern of
building forms and open spaces, individ-
1 Urban design
ualised facade treatment as well as
Whilst continuing to improve and up- exploitation of vistas.
grade flat layout and external design of
building blocks, architects now place In Jurong East, for example, the align-
greater emphasis on urban design and ment of certain important streets has
street architecture — that is, on the been planned in such a way that the
visual and physical relationships buildings in the town centre are at the
planning standards for facilities never between individual building blocks and
remained static, but have been continu- visual focus of these streets. At the same
their relation to the street, in order to time the buildings along these streets
ously evolved taking into account the create better spatial and street environ-
changing economic, social, political and have been placed in a rhythmic pattern.
ment. The aim is to create precincts, This is further enhanced by careful
environmental needs and goals. The neighbourhoods and towns which have
seventies saw the growth of Ang Mo design of the facades and the use of tree-
a greater sense of individual identity. planting and landscaping to create
Kio, a prototypical new town modelled In the projects under planning and
after and improved upon the earlier streets of individuality and a sense of
development — Jurong East and West, place. The town centre and neighbour-
generation town of Toa Payoh. Between Bukit Batok, Tampines, Hougang and
these two towns, the Ang Mo Kio New hood centres, when designed, will have
Yishun New Towns — the street layout pedestrian malls aligned with vistas
Town clearly shows improvements in has been planned to take advantage of
the quality of environmental design as towards important landmarks such as
the natural topography of the site to the Jurong Town Hall and pagoda to
well as the provision of the related re- help achieve this sense of identity. The
creational and communal facilities. reinforce once again this sense of place
shape of land parcels, existing street and identity.
More land and floor spaces for commer- patterns and buildings of architectural
cial and industrial uses were also deve- interest are taken into account. For In Jurong West and Bukit Batok repeti-
loped in Ang Mo Kio to provide better example, in parts of Tampines New tive clusters of buildings of individual
services and larger numbers of jobs for Town which are flat, the streets have design on each side of the major streets
residents. been laid out in a grid-iron pattern. In are attempts to create interesting, well-
Two decades of public housing expe- Jurong East and West the street layout ordered streetscapes and skylines which
rience and changing social and tries to take advantage of the opportuni- help define the visual image of the town.
economic conditions have brought us to ties offered by the lake and gardens and In the former, the curved street lined
the point where we are reasonably con- the gently rolling terrain. with buildings on both sides gives a
27
sense of enclosure. In Bukit Batok the buildings helps achieve a human scale 3 Review of old estates in new
southern approach to the town centre within precincts. town context
consists of a relatively straight avenue Our planners re-examined the planning
with a vista terminating in the town Mixing of low and high buildings also of old estates in order to inject corres-
centre. Along the approach road the helps minimise the number of units ponding increase in amenities and facili-
design is somewhat formal with tall exposed to traffic noise, by using lower ties typical of the newer developments in
buildings on one side and low ones on blocks fronting major roads wherever the new towns. These include the town
the other. In Tampines so far one main possible. The cluster of the higher build- centres, more comprehensive sports
street is lined with low buildings with ings away from the traffic should also complexes, and other institutional build-
generous set back on both sides to create help produce a quieter residential ings. Redevelopment and conversion of
a sense of spaciousness and openness. environment. one-room emergency flats were being
integrated into this planning concept.
The image of the town is also reinforced To bring the sense of place and identity
by paying attention to the visual profile The old estates identified to function as
down to the level of the precinct, each new towns were MacPherson and part
of the entire town as seen from a dis- precinct is also designed around a con-
tance. For example, the skyline of the of Kallang Basin (26,000 housing units),
sistent architectural theme. Vegetation, St Michael's, Balestier and part of Kal-
Jurong West New Town is distinctly choice of materials, colour schemes,
visible when one drives along the Pan lang Basin (28,000 housing units), Bukit
architectural details and graphics are Ho Swee and Tiong Bahru (26,000
Island Expressway which forms a used to achieve this goal.
boundary of the town. The buildings housing units), Henderson and Telok
and open spaces along this expressway Blangah (40,000 housing units), and
have been carefully organised into an All these design and planning measures Queenstown, Buona Vista, Ghim Moh
are aimed at creating a better living and Ayer Rajah (37,000 housing units).
orderly pattern of similar clusters of
environment in line with changing social
medium-rise buildings interspersed with
and economic conditions and expect-
open spaces or institutional sites, with
ations of a more affluent society.
generous building set back and careful Environmental upgrading
tree-planting and landscaping.
New estates
2 New designs of flats
Lastly, specially-designed street furni- 1 Lighting in town and
ture such as bus shelters and block Two new designs of flats were intro- neighbourhood centres
number plates are used to enhance the duced during the year, the five-room In addition to providing adequate light-
character of the town. maisonette and the executive apartment. ing in town and neighbourhood centres
The double-storey maisonettes in four- for safe pedestrian movement and secu-
At the neighbourhood level buildings at storey blocks, introduced in Hougang rity, lighting will also be effectively used
important road junctions are designed New Town, are an interesting departure to attract shoppers from a distance and
to look distinctive and different. Alter- from the conventional highrise build- enhance these centres as the foci of
natively, again, reserved sites at these ings. activities at night. This is achieved in
locations are created for special build- Bedok Town Centre through the strate-
ings to be filled in over time. Each Each maisonette has a floor area of 135 gic location and efficient use of lighting
neighbourhood has a design theme. For sq m with the living, dining and store augmented by effective spill lighting
its distinctive character, a neighbour- rooms, kitchen, bathroom and toilet on from shop fronts.
hood in Jurong West has fair-face brick- the lower floor. The upper floor will
work with special architectural treat- have three bedrooms, the master bed- 2 Lighting to games courts
ment which is applied to the facades of room having an attached bathroom,
its buildings. and a balcony. With the increasing demand by residents
for games courts in the evenings, courts
Within a neighbourhood the succession The Board added a new dimension to in new estates are provided with lighting
of open spaces and activity foci is linked the public housing programme with the controlled by time switches. During the
by a pedestrian network. Schools, introduction of the executive apartment year 64 games courts in existing estates
religious buildings, community centres for families who qualified under the were equipped with lighting installations.
and other community facilities are also revised higher income ceiling of $2,500
linked by this pedestrian system. per month. The first lot of executive 3 Keep fit facilities
apartments are expected to be com- Plans were conceived to introduce jog-
At the level of the precinct, clusters of pleted by 1982 in Bedok and Hougang ging tracks around football fields and in
buildings focus on an activity centre in- New Towns. housing estates as part of the pedestrian
cluding a children's playground, games system where feasible. In addition, fit-
courts and play areas. These clusters are The executive apartment, with a larger ness corners will be installed as per-
designed with varying heights. Inter- internal floor area of 145 sq m, will have manent exercise stations in every neigh-
mixing of low and high buildings allows sliding windows in the living and dining bourhood. These fitness corners include
more varied spacings between buildings rooms and bedrooms. Ceramic floor apparatus for push-up, sit-up, press-up,
and the creation of a variety of interest- tiles and glazed wall tiles will be pro- pull-up and leg-raisers. Other facilities
ing spaces. More liberal use of low-rise vided in the kitchen and bath areas. consist of the horizontal bar, wall bar,
28
Executive Apartment

Executive Maisonette

29
post climbing, tyre swing, obstacle wall Below: A worker erecting metal formworks, a
and rope climbing. method used by the Board to upgrade
construction techniques and to alleviate the
Existing estates labour shortage in the building industry.
1 Redevelopment and conversion Right: The conversion work in Everton Park
represents a major effort by the Board to
The redevelopment and conversion pro- upgrade environmental and building
gramme for improvements to old estates standards in old estates.
was in full swing during the year. The Bottom right: Kiosks for small businesses
massive upgrading programme covers including those of some resettled shopkeepers
88 blocks comprising 19,408 one-room have been introduced in housing estates. This
picture shows one of the kiosks in Ang Mo
emergency flats built in the early sixties Kio Town Centre.
to meet the pressing need for shelter.

A total of 53 blocks comprising 10,976

flats was mapped out for demolition. By
the end of the year 22 blocks were
demolished in estates in Bukit Ho Swee,
Redhill, Kampong Tiong Bahru, Mac-
Pherson, Kallang Airport and Changi.
The demolition has reduced the density
in the highly congested estates by yield-
ing valuable land for the injection of
social, sports and recreational facilities
and the construction of better and larger
flats. For example the demolition at
Dakota Crescent in Kallang Airport
Estate would make way for the con-
struction of 406 units of three- and
four-room flats and five-room maiso-
nettes scheduled for completion by the
end of 1981. Redevelopment in Kam-
pong Tiong Bahru involved the con-
struction of two blocks of five-room
flats, two blocks of three- and four-
room flats, a 2 km jogging track com-
plete with a keep fit centre, and two
playgrounds. After a period of testing, the construc-
tion of 382 wash areas in void decks of
Another 12 blocks in Brickworks, Leng buildings began in December 1979 to
Kee, Tiong Bahru, Henderson, Radin provide washing facilities for residents'
Mas and Katong were in various stages 3 Standby generators, emergency
use during festive and other occasions. lighting and fire alarm systems for
of demolition by March 1980. Another This half a million dollar improvement
19 blocks are expected to be demolished commercial buildings
exercise is expected to be completed in
over the next four years. September 1980. To meet the requirements for safer
public and commercial buildings, the
Six blocks comprising 2,944 one-room Board has provided standby generators
emergency flats were identified for con- 89 kiosks selling sweets, toiletries, news-
papers and magazines are expected to be for the emergency operation of lifts and
version into Jarger self-contained flats. emergency lighting in the event of power
During the year work was in progress in completed by mid 1981. These kiosks
will meet the need of some resettlement failure and fire in commercial buildings
Fort Road and Kallang Basin to convert such as emporiums, supermarkets,
952 one-room emergency flats to 143 shopkeepers. As the kiosks also have
toilet facilities, they will also solve the restaurants, polyclinics and offices.
three-room and 77 four-room flats. During the year these measures were
problem of children urinating in lifts.
The remaining stock of 29 blocks com- implemented in commercial buildings in
prising 5,488 one-room emergency flats 2 Electricity supply points on ground town centres in Bedok and Bukit
are planned to be retained to satisfy the floor and void deck Merah. The project cost $325,000.
housing needs of the lowest income To facilitate the tapping of temporary
group. electricity supply for use by residents 4 Improvements to water distribution
holding wedding parties, social func- system
Building improvements
tions and funeral rites, the Board has There will be better water supply to
Existing estates provided 3,200 power points at the 1,502 existing apartment blocks through
I Wash areas and kiosks on void ground floor and void decks of existing cement lining of rising and distribution
decks of blocks blocks. mains, sterilisation of water tanks and
30
other improvements to the water dis- from direct sunlight and rain. The pro- television antennae to 61,600 flats in old
tribution system. This improvement vision of casement windows and buildings was completed during the
programme, scheduled for completion aluminium claddings has tidied up the year. With the completion of this
by the end of 1982 is expected to cost appearance of such blocks and the improvement scheme all older buildings,
about $40 million. During the year work enclosed area has provided more usable except those due for demolition or con-
was in progress on improvements to 94 space to residents. A total of 44,400 version, are now equipped with central
blocks. units of one-, two- and three-room flats TV antennae facilities.
will be similarly improved at an esti-
5 Installation of casement windows to mated cost of $21 million. Installation 7 Refuse collection
existing flats with open back work to 23,300 flats was completed by By October 1979 the scheme to intro-
balconies March 1980. duce 2,500 0.7-cubic metre bulk con-
Residents in flats with open back bal- tainers for refuse collection was com-
conies often install chicks, canvas or 6 CATV for old buildings pleted at a total cost of $850,000. This
plastic sheets to protect the balconies The $2.8 million project to install central improved method complements the

Kallang Airport/Guillemard Road

Redevelopment

31
Ministry of the Environment's mech-
anisation scheme to expedite refuse col-
lection and prune labour needs and
eliminates refuse stench and spillage.
In June 1979 the programme to replace
galvanised iron refuse carrier bins with
plastic bins was launched. These plastic
bins are not only larger and more dura-
ble, but also safer and quieter for hand-
ling.
Lift improvements
New estates
1 Modifications in design of
new lifts
New lifts will have improved engineering
system in the gear box, door operator,
indicators, safety gears, relays, motor
control resistors, and switches signalling
overloading to reduce breakdowns and
down time. Better locks for landing
doors will improve security of pas-
sengers in lifts. The trap door switch has
also been modified to prevent abuse.

Existing estates
1 Additional lifts to existing
buildings having only one lift $1.4 million programme to provide A $45 million project to provide additional
battery-operated emergency power lifts in old buildings with single lifts is
per block underway. Featured here are additional lifts
supply to lifts installed before 1973 being installed in Bukit Ho Swee (above) and
There are 279 apartment blocks involv- servicing a total of 105,500 flats. This
ing 31,400 flats in the older estates Everton Park (right). This is part of a series
power will keep the lift fan working and of major improvements to enhance the
where there is only one lift per block. the lift lighting on in the event of a quality of the living environment for residents
One additional lift will be provided for power failure. in old estates.
each block.
lift maintenance are being computerised
4 Anti-crime siren to systematically record all expenditure
Work was in progress during the year on
this $45 million improvement pro- Anti-crime sirens were installed during on lift parts and repairs as well as to
gramme scheduled for completion by the year in 1,963 lifts serving residents in compare performance of lifts with
the first quarter,of 1981. 128,000 flats to improve security for regard to age, technical viability and
residents travelling in lifts to reach their possible increases in repair cost.
2 A utomatic rescue device homes. The anti-crime siren will be trig-
gered off when the lift is deliberately The information will guide decisions on
The installation of automatic rescue stalled. The siren is connected to two
device in lifts provides the solution to lift replacement when major repairs are
speakers installed at the mid and ground due.
the rescue of large numbers of residents levels of each apartment block. This
trapped in lifts in the event of a major improvement programme, estimated at Construction Technology
power failure. This device, powered by a $1.2 million, will cover all 4,004 lifts in
24-volt standby battery, will drive the 1 Construction Technology Unit
existing estates. The Construction Technology Unit was
lift to the nearest landing and activate
the door mechanism to effect the rescue formed in January 1980 to undertake
within 10 minutes. 5 Closed circuit television research into building science and other
Seven blocks of flats were selected for fields related to the construction
The entire project is expected to cost the installation of closed circuit tele- industry. The unit will improve and
$19.5 million. Production of the com- vision in lifts to study the feasibility of modernise construction work and site
ponents began in August 1979 and this system in deterring crime and van- management through rationalisation of
installation work covering a total of dalism. The scheme is to be monitored operations, mechanisation and the
3,600 lifts was scheduled for completion over a period of at least one year before introduction of new construction tech-
in May 1981. a decision is made. niques.
3 Emergency power supply 6 Computerisation of lift data
During the year the Board completed a To increase efficiency data pertaining to
32
2 Industrialised system of
construction
A prefabricated housing system suitable
for application in Singapore was deve-
loped during the year. The system com-
prises precast reinforced concrete
framework supporting prestressed
hollow core slab units. A prequalifica-
tion exercise was carried out in August
1979 to select suitable local and foreign
contractors experienced in the pre-
fabricated method of construction.
Quotations for the construction of
10,000 to 15,000 units of three- and
four-room apartments by this system
were invited from the shortlisted con-
tractors in February 1980. These con-
tractors were also invited to submit
alternative schemes of prefabrication for
the Board's consideration.

Activity Review
Agency work
1 East Coast Reclamation
The Board acts as the agent for the
Government in the major reclamation
projects along Singapore's east coast. In
January 1979 work began on Phases VI
and VII to reclaim 360 hectares of land
right in the hub of the Republic's busi-
ness centre. Phase VI will yield 234
hectares of reclaimed land extending
between Katong and Tanjong Rhu and
Phase VII 126 hectares off Telok Ayer
Basin adjacent to Phase V reclamation.
When these phases are completed in
1985 the east coast reclamation will yield
1,525 hectares extending over a 18 km
coastline.

The last two phases require the excava--

tion and transportation of 45 million of the Ministry of National Deve- Above and right: The newly completed An-
cubic metres of earth fill from Tampines Nur Mosque, an important landmark in
lopment. Woodlands New Town.
where the resulting site will be developed
into a new town. The earth is being 3 Community centres
transported by land using belt conveyor In 1979/80 tenders for 14 community 2,100 sq m and occupies a site of 3,000
and by sea using pusher-hopper barge centres were called. During the year sq m. Strategically located at the junc-
system. By March 1980 16% of the work began on 14 centres. Of these, tion of Admiralty Road and Woodlands
work, including building of stone nine are expected to be completed at the Centre Road, the mosque serves also as
bunds, trench dredging and sand filling, end of 1980 and another five in the first a visual focal point, and is enhanced by
was completed. quarter of 1981. an 11-metre diameter dome on top of a
50-metre high minaret.
2 Pasir Ris Park Reclamation 4 Mosques
The reclamation of 44 hectares at Pasir Of the three mosques under construc- 5 HUDChousing
Ris Park is protected against erosion by tion in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Wood- Construction of 48 units of maisonettes
a series of 10 headland breakwaters lands for the Majlis Ugama Islam Singa- at Amberville for the Housing and
which will eventually give rise to the pura, the $1.8 million An-Nur Mosque Urban Development Co (Pte) Ltd was
formation of sandy beaches. The land in Woodlands has been completed and in progress during the year. This project
will be used for park developments by will be opened in April 1980. This four- is scheduled for completion at the end of
the Parks and Recreation Department storey mosque has a built-up area of 1980.
34
East Coast Reclamation

At Tampines cut site 45 million cubic metres

of earth are being excavated for the East
Coast Reclamation, Phases VI and VII.
Current plans are to use the cut site for the
development of Tampines New Town.
Estates & Lands

Scope of estates and lands management

The Central Administration of the Estates and Lands Division is the nerve centre
which deals with management policies, administering specialised functions, and co-
ordinating the work of 25 Area Offices. Each Area Office covers a specific geo-
graphical division and is responsible for the management of the Board's properties
including tenancy and lease supervision, maintenance and repairs, supervision of
conservancy service, landscaping and car parking. It also serves as the collection
centre for rent, mortgage payments, service and conservancy charges and parking
fees.

During the year a Real Estate Analysis Unit was set up to gather data on open
market transactions and practices in real estate. The analyses of real estate trends
and values provide Management with information on the development of com-
mercial/industrial facilities for the Central Area, town and neighbourhood centres.

Properties managed as at 31 March 1980 are listed below:

Review of Properties under Management Above and right: Bold and imaginative, the
Bras Basah Complex represents the Board's
Demand for flats innovative approach to revitalise Singapore's
Central Area. The complex houses many
A record number of 35,561 applicants registered to buy flats in 1979/80. For rental bookshops lending continuity to the book
flats the number of applications increased to 9,099 during the year after a five-year trade in the Central Area.
declining trend. This sudden increase could be attributed to the new rental scheme
for senior citizens introduced in June 1978 which attracted 645 applications during
the year.
Flats sold in 1979/80:

A total of 16,201 rental flats was

allocated during the year as follows:

Allocation of home ownership and rental flats

The popularity of the home ownership scheme was reflected in the record number of
29,696 flats sold in 1979/80 compared with 18,421 a year ago. This brought the
number of home ownership flats to 198,210 forming 59% of the Board's total
number of flats under management.
38
Waiting lists
As at 31 March 1980 the number of applicants on the waiting list to buy flats
increased to 60,171 compared with 56,523 a year ago.

The waiting list of applicants for rental flats was reduced to 8,510 from 9,763 in the
preceding year in spite of the higher number of new applications received in
1979/80. This is attributed to the high termination of existing one-room tenancies
which has enabled the Board to meet the demand of new one-room applicants.

BECU and Reverted Properties

The Bases Economic Conversion Unit and Reverted Properties Section managed a
total of 2,484 units. These were British Forces properties handed over to the Singa-
pore Government which subsequently entrusted them to the Board for manage-
ment.
Demand for these properties was high, with occupancy reaching almost 100%. This
was because rentals were very competitive compared with those in the private sector.
Both foreigners and Singaporeans could apply to rent these properties and there was
no restriction on the income ceiling.
Shops and industrial premises
During the year 1,423 commercial and 936 industrial premises were let out as
follows:

Many of the commercial premises were situated in prime areas in new town centres
in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Clementi, Bukit Merah and Woodlands. Bookshops along
North Bridge Road were relocated in the Bras Basah Complex designed to serve as a
book centre to lend continuity to the trade in this part of the Central Area.
Community/social services
34 units were let at concessionary rentals to provide community and social services
as follows:

Shops in housing estates meet the needs of

residents and resettlement cases. Pictured
from top are shops in Bukit Merah Town
Centre, Geylang East Estate and Bedok New
Town.
Bottom: The Board provides premises for
community and social projects in the housing
estates. The picture shows the home for
senior citizens at Geylang East.
40
Markets and hawker centres
The Board managed 91 markets and hawker centres with a total of 15,598 stalls, of
which 10 markets comprising 1,844 stalls were taken over for management during
the year.
The new stalls were allocated as follows:

Between April 1979 and March 1980 the Board detected 7,961 cases contravening
the Environmental Public Health Act. Of these, 3,108 cases were of unauthorised
hawking in the Board's estates and 4,853 cases of violation of the regulations
governing littering and food handling.

Car parks
As at 31 March 1980 the Board managed 496 car parks providing 76,751 car lots
and 47,020 motorcycle lots.
A new ticketing system for motorists parking overnight was introduced in 92 car
parks in various housing estates. Night parking tickets in booklets could be bought
in advance from Area Offices and slipped into 'night parking' deposit boxes in car
parks.

Newly completed hawker centre in Bedok

New Town (top) and market in Geylang East
(centre). Bottom: Colourful parking kiosks
and sign boards help brighten car parks in
housing estates.

Activity Review
Land
In 1979/80 the Board managed 3,712.18
hectares of land to meet the demand for
land in public housing developments. Of
this stock in the land bank, 587 hectares
were taken up for public housing and
19.18 hectares leased out for industrial,
commercial and religious uses. The
stock of land available for future
development as at 31 March 1980 was
3,106 hectares (see table on left).

Land acquisition
During the year 17 sites in various loca-
lities were gazetted for compulsory
acquisition totalling 415.2 hectares in
311 lots. The more substantial acqui-
41
sitions were in Bishan, Upper Paya
Lebar Road and Tampines.

The Bishan acquisition involved the 100-

hectare Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Teng
Cemetery which had some 100,000
graves and squattered land at the fringe.
The acquisition at Upper Paya Lebar
Road was for the development of Defu
Industrial Park while the Tampines site
was to provide land for Tampines New
Town.

On land acquisition appeals, the Board's

Collectors of Land Revenue managed to
settle 59 cases during the year.

During the year the Board purchased

618.98 hectares of State lands in Yishun,
North Bridge Road, Jalan Sultan,
Beach Road, Bedok, Kallang Basin
Neighbourhood 3 Extension, Bukit
Merah Town Centre, Paya Lebar,
Chander Road, Commonwealth Activities organised by Residents' Committees
Avenue, Buffalo Road/Bukit Timah have drawn good participation from residents
Road, Tanjong Pagar Road/Craig of all age groups.
Road, Defu Industrial Estate and Jalan
Perang. Legal services
During this period 8.7 hectares of Board The Legal Section handles all
land was alienated for the development conveyancing work relating to sale of
of community centres, Telecoms flats under the home ownership scheme;
exchange, Public Utilities Board depot leasing of lands for petrol stations,
and another 0.9 hectares for temples cinemas and industrial sites; legal
affected by clearance and one home for enforcement of the Housing &
senior citizens. Development (Amendment) Act; legal
aspects of land acquisition and appeal
In 1979/80 587 hectares managed by the cases; civil litigation cases relating to the
Division were cleared for redevelop- Board's tenancy agreements and leases; Legal action was also taken against les-
ment. By the end of the financial year prosecution cases under the various sees who breached the covenants of the
there were 3,106 hectares under manage- other Acts which the Board has been sales agreement, lease or mortgage. For
ment. 1,402 temporary occupation empowered to administer; and various more serious breaches such as false
licences were issued to squatters mainly legal matters encountered in the course declaration or misrepresentation in the
in Sembawang, Woodlands, Ang Mo of the management of the Board's application or illegal subletting of the
Kio and Paya Lebar. estates. whole flat, action was taken to repossess
the premises.
Leasing 1 Execution of leases and mortagages
3 Infringements under Housing &
A significant development was the For the convenience of the purchasers Development (Amendment) Act
speeding up of the allocation of indus- the Legal Section sent its staff to Area
trial land to both local and foreign Offices to attend to the execution of Under the Housing & Development
investors. 15 new industrial sites cover- leases and mortgages. (Amendment) Act 1975 16 flats were
ing a total area of eight hectares were compulsorily acquired by the Board
allocated. As at 31 March 1980 there 2 Legal action from lessees who owned private proper-
were 148 industrial leases with a total ties. 185 applications were cancelled.
area of 130 hectares under the Board's Only 51 District Court and 7 High The Board, however, has given consid-
management. Court Writs of Possession were taken eration to hardship cases and granted
out because tenants had voluntarily exemption to 1,097 cases from the pro-
There was keen competition by private given up Board premises after legal visions of the Amendment Act during
local dealers for HDB petrol station action had commenced or the Board dis- the year. Cases for exemption or com-
sites. Sites for two cinemas and a reli- continued action on compassionate pulsory acquisition were referred to the
gious institution were also leased out grounds following rectification of the Leases Committee formed under the
during the period. breaches. Act.
42
 Statistical summary of the Legal Section's activities in 1979/80

4 Legal services for resale of flats

The Conveyancing Unit provides legal
services at minimal charges for the ven-
dor and the purchaser in the resale of a
HDB flat, and in transactions conse-
quent upon such a resale, such as a
mortgage and discharge of mortgage.

The services include acting for any sur-

viving joint owner in registering his
entitlement on the death of the other
joint owners, as well as in an application
for transmission on behalf of the per- Residents' committees Parliament. They are voluntary
sonal representatives of the estate of a organisations run by residents to
The formation of residents' committees improve the physical and social environ-
deceased flat owner. However, vendors in HDB and JTC estates was initiated by
and purchasers can still engage their ment in the housing estates. The
the Prime Minister's Office. In 1978 a residents' committee acts as a bridge to
own solicitors in any transactions pilot scheme was started with the estab-
pertaining to their HDB flats. lishment of residents' committees in improve physical environment by bring-
five constituencies. As the pilot scheme ing various Government agencies and
The fees charged by the Board for the proved beneficial after a year's opera- the residents to work closely together in
resale and other transactions of HDB tion, more residents' committees were making the estate a clean, green, safe
flats are at a flat rate of $20 for a one- established in other constituencies. and pleasant place to live in. In the
room flat and $40 for other types of social aspect the residents' committee
flats. This new legal service received The Board played a supporting role by functions as a catalyst to promote
enthusiastic public response. During the providing full time staff comprising greater participation amongst residents
year the Board handled 10,339 cases and seconded officers to act as Liaison Offi- in transforming the estate into a
the number is expected to increase in cers to man / the Central and Group cohesive community.
future. Secretariats. It also provides ancillary
requirements such as facilities for meet- Essential maintenance service
5 Oath-taking at HDB ings and functions of the Group Secre-
tariats. By the end of the year there were To maintain the efficiency of the Essen-
Two staff members in the Board's Legal 111 residents' committees in 32 consti- tial Maintenance Service Unit in provid-
Section were appointed Commissioners tuencies, and by the end of 1980 it is ing quick and constant attention round
for Oaths and stationed full-time at the anticipated that more residents' commit- the clock to meet breakdown in essential
Sales and Lettings Sections to admin- tees would be formed in another 24 con- services, a new 10-position switchboard
ister Statutory Declarations for the con- stituencies. system will be installed and the number
venience of applicants of HDB flats. of telephone operators increased to cope
During the year 59,363 statutory decla- Residents' committees are formed with with an average of 900 calls daily from
rations were administered. the help and advice of the Members of residents.
43
A new tradesmen centre was set up in
Ang Mo Kio during the year, bringing
the total number of maintenance sta-
tions to eleven. Our lift rescue arm was
also extended to 24 stations, one in each
Area Office.

Security services
The establishment of more new Area
Offices and the increase in the number
of suburban properties taken over for
management led to greater security com-
mitments. Despite the shortage of man-
power, the Division's Security Section
was able to maintain a satisfactory level
of security control in the areas under its
charge.

Mobile patrols of newly completed

estates, introduced in January 1980,
have helped to reduce vandalism and For senior officers two "social aware- The emphasis on greenery in HDB
thefts of property. ness" courses were conducted in con- developments helps to boost Singapore's
image as a garden city.
junction with the Department of Social
Landscaping Welfare. A Senior Principal Estates
Officer was attached to the Japan July 1979. Under the new policy the
In consultation with the Parks and total family income must not exceed
Recreation Department, the Board con- Housing Corporation for V/z months
under the Colombo Plan's Housing $1,500 per month for a three- or four-
tinues with intensive tree planting pro- room flat, $2,000 for a five-room flat,
grammes for the newer developments in Management Scheme.
and $2,500 for an executive apartment.
Ayer Rajah, Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and In the application of the revised income
Clementi. To provide all round training to officers
and to increase overall efficiency, staff ceiling flexibility is permitted in the
were rotated among area offices, sec- following cases:
To meet the heavy demand for trees in
the greening of our towns, trees were tions and units. 1 where an applicant is 50 years and
propagated in the Board's nursery and above, he will have his current
Area Offices
vacant land parcels. Fourteen land monthly income discounted by 20%
parcels totalling 126 hectares to plant During the year four new Area Offices as his income will be substantially
50,520 saplings were identified for this were opened in Ang Mo Kio Central, reduced upon retirement;
purpose. Under the first phase 24,000 Ang Mo Kio East, Bedok North/Cen-
saplings were planted in Ang Mo Kio, tral and Woodlands Central, bringing 2 families which include single wage-
Bedok, Clementi, Jurong East, Wood- the total number of Area Offices to 25. earning children who can be expected
lands, and Eunos Industrial Estate. to set up their own homes in the near
Certain Area Offices were expanded to future will be assessed as follows:
Staff development and training provide additional office premises and a the parents' income together with
public areas. that of one working child will
The Estates and Lands Division inten- form one income group
sified its efforts at upgrading the skills New Policies b the remaining working children
of staff as part of its manpower and Higher selling prices and rentals of flats will form another income group
career development plan. A Training c the total income of each group
Unit was established to organise in- Selling prices of all types of flats rose by
15% and rentals by 10% from 1 July should not exceed $2,500 per
house training programmes. month, and where the working
1979 as a result of escalating costs in the
construction of public housing. This was parent is over 50 years old, his
Fourteen orientation, induction and income will be discounted by 20%
refresher courses were organised for the first revision in rentals since the
formation of the Board in 1960. d the total income in both groups
junior staff including Housing & Main- should not exceed $4,000 per
tenance Inspectors, Senior Parking month
Revision of income ceiling
Attendants, Parking Attendants, Horti-
cultural Officers, Hawkers Liaison Offi- The door to public housing has been 3 parents who include married children
cers and Clerks/Junior Telephone opened to a wider cross section of the in their application and who by so
Operators. In addition, another 14 population with the raising of the family doing would exceed the income ceil-
training courses were also conducted for income ceiling for the purchase of flats ing of $2,500 would be assessed as
Security Guards. from $1,500 to $2,500 per month from 1 follows:
44
 a the parents' income or the income Four new Area Offices were opened during
of each married child's family the year in (clockwise) Ang Mo Kio Central,
Ang Mo Kio East, Bedok North/Central and'
income should not exceed $2,500 Woodlands Central.
per month (where the parent is
over 50 years old, he will be
entitled to have his income dis-
counted by 20%)
b in the computation of the parents'
income, any unmarried children's
income will be included with the
parents' income
c the total family income of all the
married children's family and the
parents should not exceed $4,000
per month
4 where an applicant or a member of
his family is on an overseas posting,
he will be permitted to discount the
quantum of the overseas payment to
meet the higher cost of living abroad
from the total family income in
determining his eligibility for registra-
tion and type of flat;
5 where an applicant has a temporary
job with an uncertain income, the
average monthly income of the appli-
cant from his job or business over a 3 at least one Singapore Permanent
maximum period of three years will Resident.
be used to determine his eligibility for
registration and type of flat. Where Relaxation of resale policy Amalgamation of Telok
an applicant's income varies substan-
From 6 August 1979 a lessee who has Blangah/Clementi Zone and Jurong
tially due to change of occupation or
trade, the income restriction in rela- physically and continuously occupied Zone
tion to the type of flat will be waived. his existing flat for three years is allowed With Clementi New Town nearing
to apply for another HDB flat, and completion, the Telok Blangah/Cle-
Raising of income ceiling for one- upon allocation of the new flat dispose menti Zone and Jurong Zone were
room rental flats of his existing flat at a profit. The amalgamated to enable applicants in
administration fee for his new applica- Telok Blangah/Clementi Zone to be
The income ceiling for one-room rental tion was increased to a minimum of automatically considered for flats in
flats was raised from $400 to $500 per $600. The lessee will be given his subse- Jurong Zone as well.
month from 31 August 1979 to take into quent flat only after he has occupied his
account wage increases over the years. existing flat for five years. He will also Housing scheme for non-citizens and
The original intention of fixing the be required to pay a transfer fee based foreign workers
income ceiling for one-room flats at on 5% of the selling price in the resale.
$400 per month was to reserve the one- Two housing schemes for foreign
room flats for the lowest income group. Reduction of loan interest to workers were introduced. The schemes
Government officers were mooted by the Economic Develop-
Change in basic citizenship ment Board to assist industrialists in
requirement From 1 November 1979 confirmed
Government officers who purchase flats providing housing for foreign workers.
The previous rule that all persons listed under the home ownership scheme were Under the first scheme flats were let to
in the application must be Singapore charged interest at 5% per annum on the employer for unskilled workers who
Citizens/Permanent Residents was the mortgage loan. The previous rate must be single and of the same sex to
relaxed on 6 August 1979. Under the was 6% per annum. share flats. The second scheme caters
revised policy an applicant must be a for three-year work permit holders
Singapore Citizen and at least 21 years Mutual exchange of balloted flats (skilled workers) who could apply with
old. The remaining family members can their families. The single worker could
comprise: From 12 September 1979 mutual
exchange of balloted flats among appli- combine with another skilled worker of
1 Singapore Citizens, or cants was permitted provided such the same sex to share a flat. The rentals
2 at least one Singapore Citizen and requests were made within 10 days from charged under both schemes were at
non-citizens, or the ballot. one-third above public rentals.
45
 Resettlement

The Resettlement Department acts as Above: The Yishun columbarium paves the
the central authority for the clearance of way for the exhumation of graves in
cemeteries to provide land for development.
State Lands and resettlement of occu- Right: Many resettled shopkeepers opted for
pants affected by public development premises in prime commercial areas such as
projects undertaken by all Government those in Bukit Merah Town Centre.
departments and Statutory Bodies,
except the Jurong Town Corporation. ($81.00 per sq m). Compensation for
The scope of resettlement work includes crops was increased from $150 to $500
the offer of alternative accommodation per 1,000 sq m.
such as flats, shops, offices, workshops
and industrial sites in suitable localities, Farmers affected by clearance who hold
and the payment of ex gratia compen- farm licences issued by the Primary
sation. Production Department of the Ministry
of National Development would qualify
for a resettlement cash grant of $15,000
Revised Resettlement Policy in addition to the increased rate of com-
The resettlement policy, which had been pensation. The previous cash grant was
in force since April 1975, was revised $11,800. Further, they would be given
during the year to offer better incentives priority to purchase or rent HDB flats
and benefits to resettlement cases. News and to opt for shops or industrial work-
of the intended revision was announced shops should they wish to go into
during a Parliament Session and a business.
committee set up by the Ministry of Owing to the scarcity of land, the
National Development to review the practice to allocate land to farmers was
existing policy. The revised policy, discontinued. However, large-scale
which took effect from 22 March 1979, farms operating on a commercial basis
involved several significant changes. could apply to the Primary Production
Department for farm land.
Higher compensation for residential
squatters Broader qualifications for resettlement
benefits
The compensation for houses owned by
residential squatters was increased from Under the new resettlement policy more
$3.40 per sq ft ($36.60 per sq m) to squatters can qualify for resettlement
$4.00 per sq ft ($43.50 per sq m). benefits. Previously, only squatters
living on acquired land on or before the
Better terms for farmers 'cut-off date' (ie date of Government
gazette notification) qualified for
Farmers' houses would be compensated resettlement benefits. This ruling was
at a uniform rate of $7.50 per sq ft relaxed to include squatters who had
46
 been living continuously on the land for commitment. Three major areas were
three years prior to the taking of census identified for the resettlement pro-
by the Resettlement Department. gramme spanning up to 1984. First, the
clearance of land to meet the demand
Increase in rental rebate and cash for public housing, roads and other
grant public projects; second, the relocation
of squatters from slums and in
Other changes included an increase in unsewered buildings within the catch-
rental rebate for HDB flats from $15 to ment areas of the Singapore River and
$16.50 per month for the first three Kallang River to eliminate pollution to
years, an outright cash payment of $594 waterways; and third, the phasing out of
to families who opted for their own pig farming from land designated as
accommodation, and a higher cash water catchment areas.
grant of $40,000 for businesses occupy-
ing rent-controlled buildings larger than Programme Highlights
200 sq metres in the Central Area.
A record number of 18,052 squatters
Resettlement Programme was cleared and the resettlement
compensation under the revised policy
The Resettlement Department had rose to $94.9 million, compared with
another year of heavy clearance $52.8 million the year before.

The following table provides a summary of types of resettlement schemes during the
year:

The year's resettlement effort released 115 sites for development projects involving
the demolition of 5,886 structures. Details are as follows:

Sites to be cleared as at 1 April 1979 432

New requests received in 1979/80 154
Sites cleared in 1979/80 115
Sites under clearance as at 31 March 1980 . . . 471
Structures demolished 5,886
48
Types of Cases Cleared in 1979/80 Resettlement Programme pines, and 932 graves in Kwang Teck
Suah Cemetery in Yishun. The graves in
the Muslim cemetery were exhumed
with the assistance of the Majlis Ugama
Islam, the Muslim Religious Council of
the Ministry of Social Affairs.
In connection with the exhumation exer-
cise, the Board has built a columbarium
in Yishun New Town to house the cre-
mated remains. 1,268 niches in the
columbarium were taken up for the
storage of remains during the year.
Clearing Squatters from
Catchment Areas of Singapore
and Kallang Rivers
A programme has been drawn up to
clear squatter houses with no modern
sanitation facilities from 8,800 hectares
in the catchment areas of Singapore
River and Kallang River to clean up the
waterways in the Central Business
District.
An estimated 38,000 squatters would be
affected in this exercise. They include
residential families, shops, industrial
establishments and farmers. Active
clearance has been initiated.
Phasing out of Pig Farmers in
Water Catchment Areas
The exercise to phase out pig farmers
from all existing and new water catch-
ment areas, except those designated for
pig farms, was initiated jointly by the
Primary Production Department and
the Resettlement Department during the
*These cases were dealt with under prevailing resettlement policy prior to 22 March year. The aim was to confine all pig
1979 but were physically cleared between April 1979 and March 1980. farms in designated areas and to keep all
water resources free of pollution. The
In 1979/80 the completion of a large To cater for special industries, industrial pig farmers were given the option to
number of flats by the Board in the new lots with standard factory buildings remain on site without being engaged in
towns in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and were developed by the Board at Defu pig farming or to opt for resettlement. A
Clementi enabled the department to Industrial Park, 12.5 km Tampines total of 772 pig farmers opted for
expedite the resettlement of families Road on lots of 900 sq m, 1,800 sq m, resettlement.
from Perseverance Estate, Potong 3,600 sq m and 4,300 sq m. The land
Pasir, Defu, Paya Lebar, Hougang, was offered on a 30-year lease at $0.70
Bishan, Sembawang, Bukit Purmei and per sq m per month in the first phase;
Bukit Batok. the standard factory buildings are paid
by the lessees. As at 31 March 1980 47
Newly completed shops reserved for out of 55 lots were taken up by resettled
resettlement cases in the town centres in industries.
Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Clementi, Wood-
lands and Bukit Merah were fully taken Exhumation of Graves
by the resettlement shopkeepers in spite
of higher rentals in these choice In 1979/80 a total of 11,267 graves was
locations. Industries were relocated in exhumed. 6,676 graves were exhumed in
terrace workshops in Ang Mo Kio a Muslim cemetery in Bukit Purmei,
neighbourhood 5 and in Eunos Indus- 3,659 graves in Wah Suah Teng and
trial Estate. Hock San Teng Cemeteries in Tam-
49
 Population Housed In HDB Flats

Dwelling Units Under Management

50
HDB Building Statistics

51
Properties under Management in 1979/80

*Bases Economic Conversion Unit

includes 17,444 niches in Yishun columbaria

Flats Sold under Home Ownership for the People Scheme as at 31 March 1980

Albert Centre
Albert House
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Village
Ang Mo Kio
Ayer Rajah
Balestier
Bedok
Bras Basah
Brickworks
Bukit Batok
52
Bukit Ho Swee
Buona Vista
Chin Swee Road
Clementi
Covent Garden
Crawford/North Bridge Road
Delta
Fairer Road
French Road
Geylang East
Geylang Serai
Ghim Moh
Haig Road
Henderson Crescent
Hong Lim
Jalan Eunos
Kallang Basin
Kallang/Tanjong Rhu
Kampong Java
Kampong Silat/Kim Tian
Kampong Tiong Bahru
Kelantan Centre
Kreta Ayer
Lincuogang
Lorong Lew Lian
MacPherson
Marine Parade
Maude Road/Kitchener Road
Moulmein Road
Outram Road
Park Road
Punggol
Prinsep Street
Queenstown
Redhill/Henderson
Rochor House
Rochor Road
Selegie House
Seletar Hill/Jalan Kayu
Siglap
Sin Ming
Spottiswoode Park
St George's Road
St Michael's
Tanjong Pagar
Teck Whye
Telok Blangah
Tew Chew Street
Tiong Bahru
Toa Payoh
Upper Changi
Waterloo Centre
Woodlands
Yishun

53
Rental Flats under Management as at 31 March 1980

Alexandra Hill
Alexandra North
Alexandra Village
Ang Mo Kio
Ayer Rajah
Balestier
Bedok
Brickworks
Bukit Ban Kee
Bukit Batok
Bukit Ho Swee
Bukit Merah
Bukit Panjang
Buona Vista
Cantonment Road
Changi Village
Chin Swee
Clarence Lane
Clementi
Covent Garden
Delta
Duchess
Ellenborough
Fairer Park
Fort Road
French Road
Geylang East
Ghim Moh
Guillemard Road
Haig Road
Henderson
Henderson Hill
Hong Lim
Jalan Besar
Jalan Eunos
Jalan Kayu
Kallang
Kallang Basin
Kampong Java
Kampong Silat
Kampong Silat/Kim Tian Road
Kampong Tiong Bahru
Kelantan Lane
Kreta Ayer
Lakeview
Lavender Street
Lorong Lew Lian
MacPherson
Madras Street
Marine Parade
Maude Road/Syed Alwi Road
New Bridge Road/Cantonment Road
North Bridge Road
North Bridge Road/Crawford Road
Sumbawa Road
Outram Park
Palembang Road
54
Park Road
Pearl's Hill
Petain Road
Punggol
Prince Charles Crescent
Princess
Princess Elizabeth
Queenstown
Redhill
Redhill/Henderson
Selegie House
Siglap
Sin Ming
Spottiswoode Park
St George's Road
St Michael's
Stamford
Teck Whye
Telok Blangah
Temple
Tiong Bahru
Tanjong Rhu/Mountbatten
Thomson Road
Toa Payoh
Upper Aljunied
Upper Changi
Upper Pickering Street
Victoria Street/Rochor Road
Waterloo Centre
Winstedt Court
Woodlands
York Hill

55
 New Applications to Rent and to Purchase Flats

56
Sites Gazetted for Compulsory Acquisition in 1979/80

1 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5

2 Bishan/Thomson Road
3 Kampong Bahru/Bukit Teresa
4 Jurong Road 15 km
5 Lakeview Estate
6 French Road/Horne Road
7 Lorong Ketam
8 Jalan Eunos/Jalan Rimau
9 Off Upper Paya Lebar Road
10 Yio Chu Kang Road
11 Tai Gin Road/Tai Gin Lane
12 Hougang New Town Phase 3
13 Jalan Eunos/Teo Kim Eng Road
14 Potong Pasir Extension
15 Bishan (Phase II)
16 Joo Chiat/Lorong 101 Geylang
17 Land at Tampines

Han-yu Pin-yin System of Spelling

for New HDB Estates
The Han-yu Pin-yin system of roman-
ised spelling of Chinese characters has
been adopted for new HDB estates. This
is to ensure correct pronunciation and
consistency in the spelling of Chinese
names for our estates. The following is a
list of Han-yu Pin-yin spellings for new
HDB estates.

Han-yu Pin-yin Original name in English

Bishan Kampong San Teng

Caicuogang Choa Chu Kang
Defu Teck Hock
Hongqing Hong Keng
Hougang Au Kang
Lincuogang Lim Chu Kang
Yishun Nee Soon
Zhongbang Chong Pang

57
Hawker Centres and Markets under Management as at 31 March 1980
No.
Hawker centre/Market Location of stalls

1 Albert Centre N10 C2 Oueen Street Blk 270 386

2 Alexandra Village C2 . Bukit Merah Lane 1 Blk 120 88
3 Ang Mo Kio N2 C7 . . Ave 1 Ang Mo Kio Blks 226H & 226D 200
4 Ang Mo Kio N3 C9 . . Ave 1 Ang Mo Kio Blk 341 . . . 190
5 Ang Mo Kio N4 C2 . . Ave 10 Ang Mo Kio Blk 409 . . 188
6 Ang Mo Kio N4 C8 . . Ave 10 Ang Mo Kio Blk 453A. 222
7 Ang Mo Kio N5 CIO . Ave 10 Ang Mo Kio Blk 527 . . 214
8 Ang Mo Kio N6 Cll Ave 4 Ang Mo Kio Blk 628 . . . 232
9 Ang Mo Kio Town Centre C2.. . Ave 6 Ang Mo Kio Blk 724.. . 191
10 Ayer Rajah N2 C12 Dover Road Blk 33 136
11 Balestier Estate Redevelopment C4 . . . . Whampoa Drive Blks 91 & 92 . 288
12 Balestier Estate Redevelopment C4A . . . Whampoa Drive Blk 90 96
13 Bedok New Town Nl C4A Bedok South Road Blk 16 . .. 218
14 Bedok New Town N2 C4 . New Upper Changi Road Blk 58 239
15 Bedok New Town N3 C15 Bedok North Street 4 Blk 85 . 258
16 Bedok New Town N5 C5 . Bedok North Street 3 Blk 511 168
17 Bedok New Town N5 C13 Bedok North Street 3 Blk 538 176
18 Bedok Town Centre C2 . . New Upper Changi Road Blk 207 .. . 70
19 Bedok Town Centre C3 . Bedok North Street 1 Blk 216 . . 238
20 Brickworks Estate Redevelopment Jalan Bukit Merah Blk 6 182
21 Bukit Ban Kee PSl C5 . Jalan Kukoh Blk 1 . 153
22 Bukit Batok P2 C3 Hillview Avenue Blks 15 & 16 . . 113
23 Bukit Ho Swee P3 C9. Havelock Road Blk 50 123
24 Bukit Ho Swee P3 C l l . Havelock Road Blks 22A & B . . 38
25 Bukit Merah Redevelopment C7 . . Redhill Lane Blk 79 . 270
26 Bukit Merah Revedelopment C8 . . Redhill Lane Blk 85 . . 96
27 Buona Vista Estate C4 Holland Drive Blk 44 217
28 Changi Village Redevelopment CI. Upper Changi Road Blks 2 & 3 . . 156
29 Clementi New Town N3 C14. Clementi Avenue 2 Blk 353 114
30 Clementi New Town N5 C3 . West Coast Drive Blks 502 & 503. 220
31 Clementi Town Centre CI .. Clementi Avenue 3 Blk 448. 156
32 Covent Garden Redevelopment C3 Zion Road Blk 86. 34
33 Ellenborough Market Redevelopment PI C1B . . Ellenborough Street Blks 2 & 3 . . 309
34 Farrer Road C3 Empress Road Blk 7 153
35 Geylang East C7 . . . Aljunied Avenue 2 Blk 117 . 170
36 Ghim Moh Estate C4 Ghim Moh Road Blk 20 . . . 230
37 Haig Road C4 Haig Road Blks l3 & 14. .. 218
38 Henderson Hill C3 Bukit Merah View Blk 115 . 293
39 Hong Lim Constituency CI (Pi) . Upper Cross Street Blk 531 . 221
40 Jalan Eunos C4 Eunos Crescent Blk 4 . . . . 185
41 Kallang Airport Redevelopment . Old Airport Road Blk 51 . 312
42 Kallang Basin Nl P2C6 Bendemeer Road Blk 29 . . 288
43 Kallang Basin Nl C4 . . Petaling Road Blk 5 . 226
44 Kallang Basin N2 CI . . Bendemeer Road Blk 42 . . 148
45 Kallang Basin N3 C6 . . Geylang Bahru Blk 69.... 234
46 Kallang Basin N4 C7 Sims Place Blk 49. 234
47 Kallang Basin (Sims Ave) P3 C3 . . . Upper Boon Keng Road Blk 17 234
48 Kampong Tiong Bahru (Balance) C2 Jalan Membina . 56
49 Kampong Tiong Bahru (Balance) C7 Jalan Bukit Merah Blk 112 138
50 Kampong Tiong Bahru (Balance) C8 Kim Tian Road Blk 121 . . 164
51 Kim Tian Road/Tiong Bahru Road. Tiong Bahru Road 31
52 Lakeview Estate Cl Upper Thomson Road Blks 4 & 9 . . . 238
53 Lincuogang Rural Centre Dev PI Cl Lim Chu Kang Road Blks 1 & 2. 114
54 MacPherson Estate Circuit Road Blks 79 & 79A 148
55 MacPherson South Ext C2 MacPherson Lane Blk 84 . . 168
56 MacPherson South (Balance) C19 . . Circuit Road Blks 80 & 8 9 . . 438
57 Marine Parade C9 Marine Terrace Blk 70 143
58
 No.
Hawker centres Location of stalls
58 Marine Parade CI 5 Marine Parade Blk 84. . 198
59 Outram Road C l . Outram Park 20
60 Punggol Estate CI Tampines Close Blk 11. 195
61 Princess Elizabeth Park Estate . . . . Hillview Avenue 52
62 Queet»stovra N2 Ext C2 . Commonwealth Avenue Blk 40A... 66
63 Queenstown N3 Commonwealth Crescent Blks 119-125 92
64 Queenstown N4 P2 C3 . . Commonwealth Drive Blks 46-4 to 46-S 76
65 Queenstown N6 CIO . . . Mei Ling Street Blk 159 . 300
66 Redhill Estate (Balance) C9. . Lengkok Bahru . . . 162
67 Seletar Hills (Jalan Kayu) CI. Seletar Road Blk 5 . 166
68 St Michael's Estate. Jalan Tenteram . . . 156
69 Tanjong Pagar Redevelopment.... Tanjong Pagar Plaza Blk 6 160
70 Tanjong Rhu/Mountbatten Road . . Jalan Batu Blk 4A 166
71 Telok Blangah Nl C4. Telok Blangah Crescent Blk 11 223
72 Telok Blangah N2 C4. Telok Blangah Rise Blk 36 135
73 Telok Blangah N3 C9. Telok Blangah Drive Blks 79 & 82 198
74 Telok Blangah N4 C2. Depot Road Blks 108 & 109.... 129
75 Tiong Bahru Estate . . Lim Liak Street. 74
76 Toa Payoh Nl C7A . . Lorong 7 Toa Payoh Blk 22..... 132
77 Toa Payoh Nl C7 . Lorong 7 Toa Payoh Blks 22A-D 80
78 Toa Payoh Nl C9 . Kim Keat Avenue Blks 64-66. 146
79 Toa Payoh N2 C4A Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Blk 75 . 36
80 Toa Payoh N2 CIO Lorong 4 Toa Payoh Blk 84 . 192
81 Toa Payoh N3 C2 . Lorong 4 Toa Payoh Blk 93 . 141
82 Toa Payoh N3 C12 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh Blk 188 33
83 Toa Payoh N3 C12 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh Blk 176 247
84 Toa Payoh N4 C7 . . . Lorong 1 Toa Payoh Blk 127 219
85 Toa Payoh N4 C7A. . Lorong 1 Toa Payoh Blks 131-135... 64
86 Toa Payoh N5 CI . . . Lorong 8 Toa Payoh Blk 210 254
87 Upper Aljunied Road Estate. Upper Aljunied Lane Blk 9. 168
88 Upper Changi Road Estate . . Chai Chee Road 28
89 Upper Changi N2 C5 Chai Chee Avenue Blk 29 . . 200
90 Venus Road Shopping Centre Venus Road Blk 18 118
91 Woodlands New Town N2 C4 Marsiling Lane Blks 20 & 21 209

Total 15,598

Hawker Pitches under Management as at 31 March 1980

No.
Estate Location of pitches

1 Bukit Ban Kee Pr S1 C5 Jalan Kukoh , 55

2 Bukit Ho Swee . Beo Crescent concourse
(first shift). . . 162
(second shift). 79
3 Delta Havelock Road 71
4 Kampong Java Redevelopment C4 . Near Blk 48 Dorset Road . 88
5 Tanjong Rhu/Mountbatten Road. . Jalan Batu Market concourse 80

Total 535

59
Key Resettlement Statistics

Types of Resettlement Cases Cleared

60
Resettlement Schemes in 1979/80

Number of
resettlement cases
Site cleared

PUBLIC HOUSING . 12,781

New Town/Suburban
Perseverance Estate . . 2,122
Potong Pasir 1,612
Defu/Paya Lebar Industrial Estate 1,561
Hougang New Town 1,531
Geylang East/MacPherson South 1,257
Bishan . 985
Paya Lebar Road development. . 597
Upper Aljunied Estate. 420
Woodlands New Town . 347
Bukit Purmei 267
Bukit Batok New Town . 255
Yishun New Town 223
Tampines Fish Farm . . . 183
Changj/Joo Chiat market site. . . 163
Ulu Pandan industrial site 127
Upper Changi Estate extension. . 85
Kampong Silat 60
Other sites . . . 305

12,100

Central Area
Site at Kerbau Road/Rotan Lane 370
Site at Cross Street/Mohamed Ali Lane. 140
Site at Chitty Road/Rowell Court 69
Site at Ellenborough Road . 55
Site at Holloway Lane . . . . 27
Site at French Road/Horne Road 20

681

ROADWORKS . 2,163

Widening of Cross Street 324

Widening of Yio Chu Kang Road from
Sembawang Hill Circus to Jalan Kayu. . 292
Bukit Timah Road system 283
Widening of Sembawang Road from
Jalan Sembawang Kechil to Canberra Road. . 202
Woodsville Circus flyover scheme 161
New link road from Upper Paya Lebar Road
to Yio Chu Kang Road 122
Widening of Kallang Road from
Lavender Street to Kallang River 118
Widening of River Valley Road from
Hill Street to Clemenceau Avenue 105
Widening of Clemenceau Avenue from
Tank Road to Cuppage Road. 101
Widening of Jalan Eunos from Paya Lebar Way
to Changi Road. . 84
61
Resettlement Schemes in 1979/80 (cont'd)

Number of
resettlement cases
Site cleared

Pan Island Expressway from Jalan Anak Bukit

to Jalan Boon Lay. 74
Widening of Pasir Panjang Road from
Alexandra Road to South Buona Vista Road. 71
New north-south arterial road from
Yio Chu Kang Road to Yishun New Town . . 53
Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 extension from
Lorong Chuan to Boundary Road 27
Other sites 146

SITES FOR LAND OFFICE . 835

East Coast Reclamation, Phases VI and VII. 567

Pulau Sudong. 71
State Lands for alienation at Cecil Street,
Robinson Road, Telok Ayer Street, D'almeida Street 51
Site at St George's Road/Serangoon Road. . . 20
Site at Guillemard Road/Lim Ah Woo Road. 16
Other sites 110

URA SITES 416

Site at Market Street/Malacca Street 50

Site at Selegie Road . 45
Site at Prinsep Street/Rochor Canal Road/
Bencoolen Street. 40
Site at Hill Street/Coleman Street/
North Bridge Road . . 38
Site at Boon Tat Street/Telok Ayer Street/Amoy Street . 36
Site at North Bridge Road/Arab Street . . 35
Site at North Boat Quay/Hallpike Street. 31
Site at Waterloo Street/Middle Road/
Bencoolen Street. 31
Site at New Bridge Road/Upper Circular Road 28
Site at Wayang Road/Merchant Road/
New Market Road. 27
Other sites 55

SPRUCING UP PROJECTS. 526

Squatter area along Upper Paya Lebar Road

from New Industrial Road to Airport Road. 225
Squatter area along Braddell Road from
Upper Thomson Road to Lorong Chuan. . . 120
Squatter areas along Upper Thomson Road 47
Squatter area at Jalan Sempandan 19
Site bounded by Bencoolen Street/
Albert Street/Waterloo Street/Rochor Road . 17
Squatter area at Ho Puay Quay 16
Other minor sites. 82

62
 Number of
resettlement cases
Site cleared

SITES FOR MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT. . 409

Sungei Pang Sua Drainage Scheme 210

Flood alleviation scheme at Jalan Tuage/
Lorong Lintang 45
Refuse tipping ground at Tampines Road
14.5 km — Phase 3 . 39
Proposed rising mains along Paya Lebar Road 22
Other minor sites. 93

SITES FOR MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 223

School site at Jalan Kolam Ayer/

Geylang Bahru 93
School site at Lorong Chuan . 80
School site at Tank Road . . . . 44
School site at Newton Road/Thomson Road 6

PIG FARM DEVELOPMENT BY PRIMARY

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT 78

SITES FOR PROJECTS OF MINISTRY

OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 358

SITES FOR DEFENCE PROJECTS 145

PROJECTS BY OTHER AUTHORITIES . 118

Total 18,052

63
Typical 1-Room Improved Flat

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $ 5,967
Sanitary 1,150
Electrical 350
Lifts 361
Roofing 129
TV antenna 40
Public Utilities Board connections 150
Internal floor area 33 sq m Earthworks 233
Circulation floor area 18 sq m Piling 2,423
Covered floor area 51 sq m Sewers 349
Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 696
Supervision 62
Cost per unit 11,910*
Cost per sq m of internal area 361
Cost per sq m of covered area 233
*This does not include land cost.
Rental (new town) $ 26 per month
Rental (urban area) 33 per month
Service and conservancy charge 14 per month
Selling price (new town) $3,800
Selling price (suburban) 3,800
64
Typical 2-Room Improved Flat

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $ 8,027
Sanitary 1,277
Electrical 400
Lifts 542
Roofing 193
TV antenna 44
Public Utilities Board connections 150
Earthworks 309
Piling 3,204
Internal floor area 45 sq m Sewers 461
Circulation floor area 20 sq m Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 920
Covered floor area 65 sq m Supervision 82
Cost per unit 15,609*
Cost per sq m of internal area 347
Cost per sq m of covered area 240
*This does not include land cost.
Rental (new town) $50 per month
Rental (suburban area) 61 per month
Rental (urban area) 75 per month
Service and conservancy charge 17 per month
Selling price (new town) $ 9,200
Selling price (suburban) 11,000
Selling price (urban) 12,700
65
Typical 3-Room Improved Flat

SCALE 1:100

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $11,196
Sanitary 1,305
Electrical 493
Lifts 630
Roofing 313
TV antenna 48
Public Utilities Board connections 240
Earthworks 490
Piling 3,741
Sewers 626
Internal floor area 60 sq m Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 1,214
Circulation floor area 13 sq m Supervision 161
Covered floor area 73 sq m Cost per unit 20,457*
Cost per sq m of internal area 341
Cost per sq m of covered area 280
*This does not include land cost.
Rental (new town) $ 82.50 per month
Rental (suburban area) 82.50 per month
Rental (urban area) 121.00 per month
Service and conservancy charge 20.00 per month
Selling price (new town) $13,600
Selling price (suburban) 15,600
Selling price (urban) 20,200
66
Typical 3-Room New Flat

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $12,805
Sanitary 1,421
Electrical 524
Lifts 650
Roofing 453
TV antenna 48
Public Utilities Board connections 240
Earthworks 677
Piling 4,268
Internal floor area 69 sq m Sewers 1,012
Circulation floor area 20 sq m Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 1,532
Covered floor area 89 sq m Supervision 170
Cost per unit 23,800*
Cost per sq m of internal area 345
Cost per sq m of covered area 267
*This does not include land cost.
Rental (new town) $110 per month
Rental (suburban area) 110 per month
Service and conservancy charge 20 per month
Selling price (new town) $18,200
Selling price (suburban) 20,200
Selling price (urban) 22,500
67
Typical 4-Room New Flat

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $17,075
Sanitary 1,529
Electrical 618
Lifts 945
Roofing 485
TV antenna 53
Public Utilities Board connections 240
Earthworks 870
Piling 5,180
Sewers 1,045
Internal floor area 97 sq m Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 1,577
Circulation floor area 16 sq m Supervision 200
Covered floor area 113 sq m Cost per unit 29,817*
Cost per sq m of internal area 307
Cost per sq m of covered area 263
*This does not include land cost.
Rental (new town) $165 per month
Rental (suburban area) 165 per month
Service and conservancy charge 25 per month
Selling price (new town) $27,100
Selling price (suburban) 30,500
Selling price (urban) 35,700
68
Typical 4-Room New Flat

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $17,356
Sanitary 1,850
Electrical 618
Lifts 1,050
Roofing 500
TV antenna 53
Public Utilities Board connections 240
Earthworks 930
Piling 5,380
Sewers 1,077
Internal floor area 100 sq m Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 1,626
Circulation floor area 17sq m Supervision 220
Covered floor area 117 sq m Cost per unit 30,900*
Cost per sq m of internal area 309
Cost per sq m of covered area 264
*This does not include land cost.
Rental (new town) $165 per month
Rental (suburban area) 165 per month
Service and conservancy charge 25 per month
Selling price (new town) $27,100
Selling price (suburban) 30,500
Selling price (urban) 35,700
69
Typical 5-Room Improved Flat

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $21,680
Sanitary 1,858
Electrical 770
Lifts 1,300
Internal floor area 127 sq m Roofing 625
Circulation floor area 17 sq m TV antenna 58
Covered floor area 144 sq m Public Utilities Board connections 240
Earthworks 1,474
Piling 8,078
Sewers 1,348
Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 3,604
Supervision 265
Cost per unit 41,300*
Cost per sq m of internal area 325
Cost per sq m of covered area 287
*This does not include land cost.
Service and conservancy charge $30 per month
Selling price (new town) $40,300
Selling price (suburban) 46,600
Selling price (urban) 52,900
70
Typical 5-Room Improved Flat

BREAKDOWN COST
Type of work Contract price per flat
Building $23,263
Sanitary 1,950
Electrical 850
Lifts 1,740
Internal floor area 127 sq m Roofing 887
Circulation floor area 22 sq m TV antenna 58
Covered floor area 149 sq m Public Utilities Board connections 240
Earthworks 1,529
Piling 8,437
Sewers 1,336
Roads, carparks, culverts and drains 4,057
Supervision 453
Cost per unit 44,800*
Cost per sq m of internal area 353
Cost per sq m of covered area 301
*This does not include land cost.
Service and conservancy charge $30 per month
Selling price (new town) $40,300
Selling price (suburban) 46,600
Selling price (urban) 52,900
71
Other Typical Floor Plans

3-Room New Flat

4-Room New Flat

72
5-Room Improved Flat

5-Room Improved Flat

73
 Report on the Audit of the Accounts
of the Housing & Development Board for the year ended 31 March, 1980

1 The accounts of the Housing and Development Board have been examined under my
direction and in accordance with the provisions of the Housing and Development Act (Chapter 271).
1 have obtained all the information and explanations I have required.

Parking Fees
2 The Board has all along treated parking fees collected from its car parks as its own income.
However, the Parking Places Act, 1974, requires such fees to be paid into the funds of the Urban Re-
development Authority. This non-compliance with the law was reported to the Ministry of National
Development in 1976. As the intention was for the Board to retain such income, steps are being
taken by the Ministry to regularise the matter.

Loan charges debited to the Car Park Account

3 Expenditure incurred in operating the car parks has all along been borne by the Board. For
the year under review, such expenditure amounted to $31,630,050 as disclosed in Note 29 on the
accounts. This includes loan charges totalling $13,625,787 which was computed on the total capital
cost of the car parks. I have reservation on the accuracy of the loan charges of $13,625,787 because,
as mentioned in my previous year's Report, certain costs included in the total capital cost were esti-
mated and I am not able to verify the reasonableness of these estimated costs. The existing account-
ing system of the Board does not provide for the costing of the car parks.

Authority to fix rents on Leases of Land

4 Most of the Board's land not required for immediate development are leased to the public
on a month-to-month basis. The Chief Executive Officer has been fixing the rents payable on such
leases. However, the power to fix such rents has not been delegated to him by the Board. Following a
recent enquiry by Audit, a submission is being put up to the Board to regularise the position.

Secondment of staff to Ministry of National Development

5 Since 1974, 3 senior officers of the Board (one at a time) were loaned to the Ministry of
National Development to head its Public Relations Unit. The Board agreed to continue to pay their
salaries without reimbursements from the Ministry.. As a result of a recent enquiry by Audit, the
Board has recovered the salary of one of the officers and a claim for the remaining two officers'
salaries amounting to $105,733 has been made to the Ministry.

Treatment of Other Miscellaneous Income

6 The proceeds from sales of flats and leases of lands as well as interest on fixed deposits and
net income from subsidiary activities totalled $546,645,510 for the year under review. The income
from these sources have all along been shown in the Board's Balance Sheets in the manner disclosed
in Note 1 on the accounts. In April 1979 I consulted the law officer who expressed the view that
section 59(3) of the Housing and Development Act, Chapter 271 requires the Board to show such
income in the Board's Income and Expenditure Account.

Audit Opinion
7 Subject to the above observations, in my opinion:
a the Board's accounts present information fairly in accordance with the stated
accounting policies (which are the same as in previous years) of the Board as set out in
Note 1 on the accounts;
b proper accounting and other records have been kept; and
c the other receipt, expenditure, and investment of moneys and acquisition and
disposal of assets by the Board during the year have been in accordance with the pro-
visions of the Act.

74
8 However, I have reservation on the accounting policies of the Board. The Board prepares
its accounts in accordance with the accounting policies stated in Note 1 on the accounts. These
policies reflect practices that have evolved since its inception. The major activities of the Board have
changed over a period of time. From the building of flats for rent, it has moved into the sales of flats
and leasing of land and the proceeds from such sales and leases which amounted to only $8,068,600
for the year ended 31 December 1964 has increased to $539,513,061 for the year under review. These
proceeds as well as interest on fixed deposits and net income from subsidiary activities have all along
been shown in the Board's Balance Sheets in the manner disclosed in Note 1 on the accounts, but not
in its Income and Expenditure Account. I feel that in view of the changes in the Board's major
activities, income from these sources should be shown in the Board's Income and Expenditure
Account in order to reflect the results of the entire operations of the Board.

Review of the Board's Accounting System

9 The consultants appointed by the Board to review its accounting and fiscal management
system submitted their reports to the Board in the second half of 1978. The Board has accepted most
of their recommendations for implementation including the adoption of a new form of accounts.
10 However, the implementation of the Board's decision on the new form of accounts has
been delayed because of differences in opinion between the Board and Audit over the accounting
treatment of certain major activities of the Board. The matter is still under correspondence.

Chee Keng Soon

Auditor General

5 September, 1980

75
 Capital

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 1980

76
Michael Fam Fong Kok Woh
Chairman Chief Financial Officer
11
 Capital

Development Account to 31 March 1980

Sales Account to 31 March 1980

78
 Revenue

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 1980

80
Michael Fam Fong Kok Woh
Chairman Chief Financial Officer
81
 Revenue

Income and Expenditure Account for the Financial Year ended 31 March 1980

82
 Notes to the 1979/80 Accounts

1 Accounting Policies
(a) Presentation of accounts
The accounts are prepared on the "Double Account" system, one for Capital and one for
Revenue, with the following modifications, as in previous years:—

(i) Long-term assets

Both capital and revenue long-term assets, except those of quarry, factory, plant
and workshop, are shown at cost. However, furniture, fittings, equipment and
motor vehicles are written-off to the income and expenditure account at the time of
purchase.

(ii) Sales of flats and leases of land

The proceeds from sale of flats are shown as a deduction from the long-term assets
and premiums from the lease of land are credited direct to the General Fund in the
revenue account. The Board is unable to follow the desirable method of deducting
the cost of the flats and land sold from the long-term assets in the balance sheet
because the existing accounting system does not provide for the costing of flats and
land.

(iii) Depreciation
Under the "Double Account" System, depreciation on fixed assets need not be pro-
vided, but loan charges are charged to the income and expenditure account.
However, depreciation is provided annually on the following assets which are not
financed from loans —
Mandai Quarry:
Plants and Machinery - at a fixed rate per tonne of 20 mm granite pro-
duced, based on the estimated production over
the estimated life of the assets.
Land and Development - at a fixed rate based on the estimated granite
reserve.
Brick Manufacturing Factory - at fixed rates per brick manufactured, based on
the expected production over the estimated life
of the relevant assets.
Pile Manufacturing Plant - at a fixed rate per foot-ton of pile produced (no
provision for depreciation for 1979/80 as there
was no production since 1977/78).
Metal Formwork Workshop:
Equipment - on a straight line method over 10 years.
Metal Forms - at a fixed rate over the number of times the
metal forms are used.
Tile Manufacturing Factory:
Land and Buildings - on a straight line method over 60 years although
the land is on a 999-year lease commencing
from 12 October 1885.
Plant and Machinery - o n a straight line method over 2 years and 5
years for old items and new items respectively.
Plant and Machinery - a t 15% per annum on the reducing balance
(Queenstown Workshop) until their estimated residual value.
(b) Stock of building materials and spares
Stocks of building materials and spares are stated at cost on the first-in-first-out basis or at
production cost.

84
 (c) Surpluses from quarries, factoris, etc
Surpluses from operation of granite and sand quarries, brick manufacturing factory, pile
manufacturing plant, metal formwork workshop and tile manufacturing factory are not
credited to the income and expenditure account but are transferred direct to the respective
accounts in the Capital Balance Sheet for the replacement of plant and machinery and for
other capital operations.

(d) Interest on fixed deposits

Interest on fixed deposits is not credited to the income and expenditure account but is
transferred direct to the General Fund (or Fire and Damage Fund) in the revenue account.
This is in accordance with existing Board's Financial Regulation.
(e) Government loans and subsidy
The Board's development programmes are financed from Government loans. Loans for
constructing properties for rent are repayable over 60 years with interest at 7¾% per
annum. Loans for constructing flats for sale are repayable over 10 years with interest at
6% per annum.
Interest and principal repayments of the 7¾% loans are charged to the income and expen-
diture account in accordance with Section 59 (3) (b) (vii) of the Housing and Development
Act. For the 6% loans, only the interest is charged to the income and expenditure account,
while the principal repayments are charged direct to the loan account.
The deficit on income and expenditure account is fully subsidised by the Government.

2 Capital Reserve

*Actual Workmen's Compensation paid for the Financial Year 1979/80 amounted to
$639,556. The amount of $301,533 has to be charged to Capital Reserve because the
Workmen's Safety and Compensation Fund which is being wound up, had only a balance
of $338,023 to meet such payments.
3 Construction Fire Fund
The fund is to meet the cost of any damage by fire to Board's property in the course of con-
struction, including materials on site and other subsidiary fittings and installations.
Contributions are made from project votes based on a percentage of the tender sum of all
building contracts awarded.

85
 4 Quarry Plant
(a) Provision and Surplus

(b) Assets (Mandai Quarry)

(c) Operations

86
5 Brick Manufacturing Factory
(a) Provision and Surplus

(b) Assets

(c) Operations

6 Pile Manufacturing Plant

(a) Provision and Surplus

87
 (b) Assets

(c) Operations

7 Metal Formwork Workshop

(a) Provision and Surplus

(b) Assets

(c) Operations

8 Tile Manufacturing Factory

(a) Provision and Surplus

88
 (b) Assets

(c) Operations

9 Prefabrication Factory
The factory was acquired in 1977 from capital funds. Pending the re-siting and operation of
the factory, all expenditure incurred was debited to the assets account and no depreciation was
provided.
(a) Provision

10 Plant and Machinery (Queenstown Workshop)

(a) Provision

(b) Assets

(c) Operations

89
 11 Sand Quarry
(a) Surplus

(b) Operations

12 Loans Redeemed
Loans redeemed represent accumulated principal repayments charged to the income and
expenditure account.

13 Government Loans Outstanding

14 Mortgage Loans
Mortgage loans of up to 80% of the selling price of flats, plus stamp fees, are granted to pur-
chasers of HDB flats under the Home Ownership for the People Scheme. Such loans are
repayable over 5, 10, 15 or 20 years with interest at 6¼% per annum. Interest is computed on
the calendar year basis.

90
15 Stock of Building Materials and Spares

16 General Fund
Premiums on leases and interest on fixed deposits are credited to this fund which is used to
finance various capital operations and staff loans. No interest on fixed deposit was credited to
this fund in 1979/80.

17 Industrial Sites

18 Holiday Bungalows

91
 19 HDB Club House

20 Investments — MND Holdings (Pte) Limited

The investment of $15,650,000 in MND Holdings (Private) Limited represents 49.99% of the
issued share capital of the company.
The principal activity of the company is to carry on the business of an investment holding
company.
As at 31 December 1979 the unappropriated profit of the company is $4,798,908 and of the
company and its subsidiaries is $52,647,206. The accounts of the company and its subsidiaries
are not consolidated in the Board's accounts.
The company has not declared any dividend.

21 Advances to Staff
(a) Funds

(b) Advances

Interest on vehicle loans was credited direct to income and expenditure account. Balance out-
standing for purchase of HDB flats was transferred to Home Ownership Scheme.

92
22 Repairs, Renewals and Redecoration Fund
Annual contribution to this fund is made from income and expenditure account under Section
59 (3) (b) (vi) of the Housing and Development Act.

23 Fire and Damage Fund

This fund is to meet the cost of any damage to Board properties caused by fire, except for high
fire-risk properties which are insured. Annual contribution to this fund is made from income
and expenditure account.

24 Subsidy Recoverable from Government

25 Administration of the Board

The following amounts are included in this expenditure head —

93
 26 Property Tax, etc
The Board pays property tax on its rental properties and land based on actual rents collected.
The rates for 1979 were 33%, 26%, 23% and 19% for buildings and 33%, 26%, 19% and
14% for land.
The rates for 1980 were 31%, 25%, 23% and 20% for buildings and 31%, 20%, 17% and
15% for land.
About 90% of the property tax paid by the Board was at the highest rates of 33% and 31%.

27 Loan Repayments and Charges

The expenditure consists of the following —

28 Hawker Centres/Markets Operations

Cost of hawker centres is financed from 7¾ % loans repayable over 60 years. The loan charges
consist of interest and principal repayments. The principal repayments are charged to the
operations account in lieu of depreciation.
The loan charges are credited to miscellaneous income in the income and expenditure account,
therefore the overall revenue deficit of the Board is not affected.

94
29 Carparks Operations

Cost of carparks, which comprises land cost, construction cost and resettlement cost, is
financed from 73/4 % loans repayable over 60 years. The loan charges consisting of interest and
principal repayments of these loans are charged to the Carparks Operations Account. The
principal repayments are charged to the operation account in lieu of depreciation.
To arrive at the cost of the carparks, the cost of multi-storey carparks is based on actual cost
and the cost of surface carparks is based on estimates.
The basis of estimating the cost for surface carparks is as follows —
Land cost is computed on the average cost of selected carparks.
Construction cost is computed on a flat average of selected tender price over ten years.
Resettlement cost is computed on the percentage of all resettlement expenditure over all
land acquisition cost.
Commencing from this year all surface carparks are taken into account to compute the loan
charges, hence the big increase in loan charges.
The loan charges are credited to income and expenditure account, therefore, the overall reve-
nue deficit of the Board is not affected.

30 Miscellaneous Income
The following amounts are included in this income head —

31 Adjustment Re Previous Years

This is the net balance of adjustment to previous years' income and expenditure.
The large credit adjustment is due to appropriation of survey and conveyancing fees for sale of
flats of $19,973,981 accumulated since 1964, less a net debit adjustment of $333,269 for other
accounts.

95
Produced and published by Housing & Development Board
Designed in Singapore by The Graphic Communication Group
Printed by International Press