Published by Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council MCI(P)121/11/2015 August 2016 Issue No 2

Home to more than 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies and 33 species of dragonflies, Kranji Marshes is a 56.8-hectare freshwater marshland that is part of the third phase of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Masterplan. Just south of the Reserve, the marshland will ensure Sungei Buloh continues to be a living wetland – and a tranquil sanctuary for wildlife. While the core conservation area may only be entered if you are on a guided walk, much of the park is open to the public from 7am to 7pm every day. It includes three distinct habitats: woodland, grassland and, of course marshland. More on page 3.

On 8 May we took time out to thank our cleaners for the hard work they do – every day – to keep our Town spic and span. With our MPs and grassroots leaders, we gave them tokens of our apprecia-tion ... and a good lunch. Many of us even tried our hand at doing their work, picking up litter.

Exploring Kranji Marshes

MY Kampung

We salute our cleaners

More on pages 6-7.

More on page 11.

Coming our way: PCF’s first mega childcare centre. Spread over 2500sqm, the new Sparkletots @ Marsiling at Woodlands Street 13 will provide full-day child and infant care for over 300 – in a green environment where the children can learn as they play.

Dear ResidentsWe are pleased to present to you the second edition of MY Kampung for your reading pleas-ure. In this issue, we have put together many interesting articles, which we sincerely hope you will like.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your great support, feedback and suggestions via personal interactions and through the email and phone. I would say that they have helped us improve tremendously.

However, many of these interactions have been on a personal basis and, though we are grateful, we hope to go one step further to make MY Kampung a more interactive pub-lication, where your views are published and queries answered. And yes, we intend to start a section in MY Kampung where your views, suggestions and feedback will be gathered and published.

We would like to invite you to write to us now and share your thoughts about your home and surroundings to us. We value your input and will endeavour to publish all constructive feedback, opinions and suggestions. Com-plaints are welcome too!

Marsiling-Yew Tee is our home and we want it to be the best it could be and your feedback and suggestions could go a long way in making a home we can all be proud of!

Come, put your thoughts to paper and send them to us. Write to: MY Kampung newslet-ter, Block 306A Woodlands Street 31,#02-00, Singapore 731306 or email: feedback@myttc.org.sg

We eagerly look forward to your input.Thank you.

Alex Yam ZimingChairman

Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council

亲爱的居民我们很高兴能够为你们呈献第二期的《我的甘榜》MY Kampung，让你们阅读消闲。在这一期里，我们收集了多篇有趣的文章，希望你们会喜欢。此外，我们也要借这个机会感谢你们透过个人交流、电邮和电话等方式所给予的大力支持、反馈和建议。这一切在改善我们的社区方面都起了很大的作用。　

不过，这些交流方式，大多数是建立在个人的基础上。虽然我们对此深表感激，但是，我们希望还能够刊登你们的意见和所提出的问题与答案，以进一步使本刊成为具有互动性的季刊。因此，我们有意在本刊内设立言论专栏，以便刊登所收集的意见、建议和反馈。

我们至诚邀请你们现在就写信给我们，和我们分享你们对自己家园与周围环境的感想。我们非常重视你们的反馈，也将竭尽所能，刊载所有建设性反馈、意见和建议。我们也欢迎投诉性的文章！　

马西岭-油池是我们的家园。我们要把它打造成最美好的地方。你们的反馈和建议，在建立一个值得我们骄傲的家园大有帮助！　

请把你们的感想写下来电邮给feedback@myttc.org.sg，或寄到我们的地址：《我的甘榜》MY Kampung，第306A座，兀兰31街，#02-00，新加坡邮区731306。

我们热切期待你们的来稿。谢谢。任梓铭

主席 马西岭-油池市镇理事会

Para Penduduk yang dihormatiDengan sukacitanya kami ingin menyampaikan kepada anda keluaran kedua MY Kampung untuk bacaan anda. Dalam keluaran ini, kami telah menghidangkan banyak rencana yang menarik dan kami berharap anda akan terhibur dengan rencana-rencana ini.

Kami juga ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada anda di atas sokongan kuat, maklum balas dan cadangan yang kami telah terima melalui interaksi secara langsung dan menerusi emel dan telefon. Saya ingin menyatakan bahawa ini telah banyak membantu kami memperbaiki perkhidmatan kami.

Bagaimanapun, kebanyakan interaksi ini merupakan interaksi peribadi kepada kami. Kami terhutang budi di atas sumbangan anda tetapi kami berharap untuk melangkah setapak lagi bagi menjadikan MY Kampung sebuah penerbitan yang lebih interaktif, di mana pan-dangan anda diterbitkan dan pertanyaan anda dijawab. Kami juga berniat untuk memulakan satu bahagian dalam MY Kampung di mana pandangan, cadangan dan maklum balas anda akan dikumpulkan dan diterbitkan.

Kami ingin mengundang anda untuk berkongsi pendapat anda mengenai kediaman dan kawasan sekeliling anda dengan kami. Kami menghargai sumbangan anda dan akan berusaha untuk menerbitkan semua maklum balas yang membina serta pandangan dan cadangan anda. Aduan juga dialu-alukan!

Marsiling-Yew Tee ialah kediaman kita dan kami mahu menjadikannya kediaman yang terbaik. Maklum balas anda dapat membantu kami menjadikan kediaman kita kediaman yang membanggakan!

Ayuh, berkongsilah buah fikiran anda dan kirimkannya kepada kami. Alamat kami ialah: MY Kampung newsletter, Blok 306A Wood-lands Street 31, #02-00, Singapura 731306 atau emel: feedback@myttc.org.sg.

Kami amat mengalu-alukan sumbangan anda!Terima kasih.

Alex Yam ZimingPengerusi

Majlis Bandaran Marsiling-Yew Tee

«ýÒì ÌÊ¢ÕôÀ¡Ç÷¸§Ç¿£í¸û ÀÊòÐ Á¸¢Æ MY Kampung ±Ûõ ¦ºö¾¢ì ¸Ê¾ò¾¢ý þÃñ¼¡õ þ¾¨Æ ¯í¸ÙìÌ ÅÆíÌž¢ø ¿¡í¸û Á¸¢ú¨¼¸¢§È¡õ. þó¾ þ¾Æ¢ø, ¿¡í¸û ÀÄ Íšú¢ÂÁ¡É ¸ðΨø¨Ç ´ýÚ ¾¢ÃðÊì ¦¸¡ÎòÐû§Ç¡õ. «Åü¨È ¿£í¸û Å¢ÕõÀ¢ô ÀÊôÀ£÷¸û ±É ÁÉÁ¡Ã ¿õÒ¸¢§È¡õ.

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þÕôÀ¢Ûõ, þó¾ ¸ÄóÐÈÅ¡¼ø¸û ÀÄ ¾É¢ôÀð¼ «ÊôÀ¨¼Â¢ø «¨Áó¾ÉÅ¡¸ þÕó¾É. «¾üÌ ¿¡í¸û ¿ýÈ¢ À¡Ã¡ðÊÉ¡Öõ, ¯í¸û ¸ÕòÐì¸û À¢ÃÍâì¸ôÀðÎõ ¯í¸û §¸ûÅ¢¸ÙìÌô À¾¢ÄÇ¢ì¸ôÀðÎõ þÕ ÅÆ¢ À¢ÃÍÃÁ¡¸ MY Kampong-³ ¬ì¸ ¿¡í¸û «¾¨É §ÁÖõ ´Õ ÀÊ ±ÎòÐî ¦ºøÄÅ¢ÕõÒ¸¢§È¡õ. ¬õ, ¯í¸û ¸ÕòÐì¸û, §Â¡º¨É¸û, À¢ýëð¼ø¸û ¾¢Ãð¼ôÀðÎ À¢ÃÍÃ¢ì¸ MY Kampung¸¢ø ´Õ À¢Ã¢¨Åò ¦¾¡¼í¸ ±ñ½¢Ôû§Ç¡õ.

þý§È ±í¸ÙìÌ ±Ø¾¢ «ÛôÒÁ¡Ú ¯í¸ÙìÌ «¨ÆôÒ Å¢Îì¸ Å¢ÕõÒ¸¢§È¡õ. ¯í¸û þøÄõ ÁüÚõ ¯í¸Ç¢ý ÍüÚôÒÈò¨¾ô ÀüÈ¢ ¯í¸Ç¢ý º¢ó¾¨É¸¨Ç ±í¸Ù¼ý À¸¢Ã¢óЦ¸¡ûÙí¸û. ¯í¸Ç¢ý ¯ûǣθ¨Ç ¿¡í¸û Á¾¢ôÀмý ±øÄ¡ ¬ì¸¸ÃÁ¡É À¢ýëð¼ø¸û, ¸ÕòÐì¸û ÁüÚõ §Â¡º¨É¸û ¬¸¢ÂÅü¨È À¢ÃÍÃ¢ì¸ ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºö§Å¡õ. Ò¸¡÷¸Ùõ Åâ§ÅüìÀÀθ¢ýÈÉ!

Á¡÷º¢Ä¢í-þä Ë ¿ÁÐ þøÄõ. «¾¨Éî º¢Èó¾ ´ýÈ¡¸ ¬ì¸ Å¢ÕõÒ¸¢§È¡õ, ¿¡õ «¨ÉÅÕõ ¦ÀÕ¨Á ¦¸¡ûÇò¾ì¸ þøÄÁ¡¸ «¾¨É ¬ì¸ ¯í¸û À¢ýëð¼ø¸Ùõ §Â¡º¨É¸Ùõ ¦ÀâÐõ ¯¾×õ!

Å¡Õí¸û, ¯í¸Ç¢ý º¢ó¾¨É¸¨Ç ¾¡Ç¢ø ±Ø¾¢ ±í¸ÙìÌ «ÛôÀ¢ ¨ÅÔí¸û. À¢ýÅÕõ ÓÅâìÌ ±ØÐí¸û: MY Kampung ¦ºö¾¢ì¸Ê¾õ, ҧǡìÌ 306A °ðÄñðŠ Š¾¢Ã£ð 31,#02-00, º¢í¸ôâ÷ 731306 «øÄÐ Á¢ýÉïºø «ÛôÒí¸û: feedback@myttc.org.sg

¯í¸û ¸ÕòÐ츨Çô ¦ÀÈ ¬ÅÖ¼ý ±¾¢÷§¿¡ì̸¢§È¡õ.

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2 MY KAMPUNG

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Parks Board (NParks) opened

Kranji Marshes on 1 February. The marshes formed in the 1970s

when Sungei Kranji was dammed to create Kranji Reservoir and low-lying ground was flooded forming a freshwa-ter marshland. This was, unfortunately, soon overgrown by vegetation.

In 2008 the Nature Society (Sin-gapore) adopted the area and many volunteers helped to clear vegetation to build a more suitable habitat for wild-life. In 2014 URA and NParks joined in the clearing, and then built amenities for visitors to learn more about the rich variety of wildlife in the area.

In the clearing and construction, everything possible was done to mini-mise the effect it would have on wild-life: Instead of piling to build board-walks, moveable floating boardwalks were designed.

All facilities and amenities were built with simple designs to blend in well with the environment. They are located away from the core conservation area which is only accessible if you sign up for a guided tour. Finally, a floating excavator was used to dredge the vegetation.

Volunteers from Deutsche Bank clearing unwanted vegetation in 2012.

Now signs give you information on many of the bird species here, and much of the other fauna and flora.

Keranji trees have been planted – a callback to the original Keranji trees that used to be found in abundance in the area and gave Kranji its name.

That’s the call (and a popular name) for the Red-wattled Lapwing, a bird that was listed as locally endangered in 2008. We heard that call and saw the lapwing when we explored Kranji Marshes.

“Did you do it?”The view from the Swamphen Hide.

A young Velvet Tamarind or Keranji (Dialium indum).

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Students from River Valley High School clearing the overgrown vegetation in 2010.

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August 2016 3

Moorhen Blind.

View of marshes from Raptor Tower.

Raptor Tower

One of the nature-inspired sculptures for birds and bats.

Getting there

Take the Kranji Express bus from Kranji MRT Station, which operates daily from 8.30am to

5.45pm. Alight at D’Kranji Farm Resort and take a short walk to Kranji Gate. From Kranji Gate, it is an approximately 1km walk along Neo Tiew Lane 2 to the Raptor Tower and Swamphen Hide.

A car park with 20 parking lots, 10 motorcycle lots and 30 bicycle lots has been built at Kranji Gate.

A better habitat for wildlife - with amenities for you.

Kranji Marshes nowTo minimise any impact on wildlife

and their habitats, all work on these amenities was done at least 50 metres

away from sensitive areas, and most structures were pre-fabricated off-site, then assembled on-site.

You may only enter the area inside the red dotted

line on a guided walk.

Kranji Marshes is part of the third phase of the masterplan for Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, the larger dark green area to the north of the Marshes on this map.

© 2016 OneMap

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4 MY KAMPUNG

Female Laced Woodpecker (Picus vittatus)

Pair of Olive-backed Sunbirds (Cinnyris jugularis)

Changeable Lizard (Calotes versicolor)

Caterpillar of the Common Mime butterfly (Chilasa clytia clytia) Scarlet Basker Dragonfly (Urothemis signata)

Tips for visiting Kranji Marshes

1. The terrain is rugged at parts and may be unsuitable for younger children. 2. Prepare adequately. Wear proper footwear, bring sufficient water and a hat to shield yourself from the sun. 3. As there is no lighting in the eve-nings, the nature area is only open from 7am to 7pm. 4. The area is home for many native animals. For their well-being, please do not bring dogs or other pets . 5. As this is an ecologically sensi-tive area, cycling is not allowed as it may disturb the wildlife. Park your bicycle at Kranji Gate. 6. Keep to the designated trails and appreciate any animals you may see from afar. 7. Avoid visiting the nature area dur-ing a storm, or seek shelter immedi-ately if it rains while you are there. 8. Please remember to take only what you have brought in, and leave nothing behind but footprints.9. Mornings and evenings are best for birdwatching.

Guided Walks

Both NParks and the Nature Society offer free guided walks led by experienced and

knowledgeable volunteers. The walks, limited to 20 participants, take you through the core conservation area, which is not usually open to the public.

NParks’ walk, Evening Chorus at Kranji Marshes, is conducted once a month on Saturday evenings, start-ing at 4.30pm. A two-hour journey covering the three habitats is approx-imately 3km.

You register by sending an email to NParks_KMGuidedWalk@nparks.gov.sg. Places are allocated by ballot.

The Nature Society offers bird-watching walks, open to the public. The walks last about three hours, in the morning or evening. Partici-pants meet at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre, and you pay $10 to cover the cost of a hired bus that ferries you to and from the start point of the walk at Turut Track.

To find details of the next walk planned by the Society, and to regis-ter, go to www.nss.org.sg.

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

Changeable Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)

Three habitatsWithin the Kranji Marshes nature reserve there are three distinct habitats:

MarshlandIn this habitat, the soil is partially or completely submerged in water. It sup-ports a wide range of aquatic plants, which attract many insects, fish and water birds. Common species seen feed-ing or sheltering here include the Purple Heron and the Red-wattled Lapwing.

WoodlandThe tall trees of Neo Tiew Woods play an important ecological role, providing both nesting and feeding opportunities. Eagles, such as the Changeable Hawk Eagle and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle, both nationally threatened species, are often seen perching on the trees.

GrasslandGrass habitats are open areas with very little tree cover. Most of these areas are low-lying and dominated by plants that tolerate soggy soil and different types of grasses and sedges. Besides attracting birds such as the Scaly-breasted Munia, butterflies such as the Blue Glassy Tiger and dragonflies such as the Common Parasol can be seen.

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All the above photos were taken during a one-hour evening visit to Kranji Marshes!

“We come most Sunday evenings, just to watch and listen. It’s an

interesting yet very relaxing way to spend your free time.”

Kranji Marshes nowAugust 2016 5

8 May was Cleaners’ Appreciation Day in our Town

we picked the litter

we said ‘thank you’

The cleaners were given the day off – so

For all their hard work, all through the year

As part of ‘Operation We Clean Up’ we weighed the litter we collected. It’s amazing how much is dropped!

Litter pickers Emily Choo and Dave Ong said, “It gives the cleaners a day off and when others see us cleaning up, they’ll think, ‘I should help keep the place clean.’”

Mdm Ang Koon Bing has been working as a cleaner every morning for 12 years. She likes her work.“It’s near my home and the hours are good,” she said. “Some people say ‘Thank you’, others don’t. It makes my day when they say ‘Thank you!’” She was grateful there was a Cleaners’ Appreciation Day. “It’s meaningful,” she said.

It doesn’t take much to say, ‘Thank you.’ So why do we have so much trouble saying it? Why can’t we just

walk up to someone who has done a good job for us and say, ‘Thanks for that!’ At the event on 8 May you could see our MPs doing it, no trouble at all. And every ‘Thank you’ got a big warm smile in return.

Let’s make every day Cleaners’ Appreciation Day. Let’s pick up any litter we see and thank our cleaners whenever we see them doing their job.

6 MY KAMPUNG

8 May was Cleaners’ Appreciation Day in our Town

we served them lunch

we gave tokens of appreciation

– a fitting finish for the morning

Mr Shahib Hossain has been working here 10 years and is a supervisor now. “I work for a good boss. He never pushes too hard and he never calls you names.” He likes Appreciation Day. “Everybody gets a day off, a goody bag, and a good meal. Everybody’s happy!”

August 2016 7

Mr Alex Yam ZimingMP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Chairman of Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council

holds Meet-the-People sessions every Monday at 8pm*at Block 608 Choa Chu Kang Street 62, #01-103, Singapore 680608 Contact: 6760 6233 Email: ytmps@yewtee.org.sg© 2016 OneMap

This is our Town and these are our MPs. We asked them for their priorities for their wards.

Mr Lawrence WongMinister for National DevelopmentMP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC

holds Meet-the-People sessionsevery Monday at 7pm* at Block 787 Choa Chu Kang North 6, #01-206, Singapore 680787 Contact: 6766 5694Email: lawrencewongst@gmail.com

Meet our MPs

* except Public Holidays or the Eve of a Public Holiday

Yew Tee

Limbang

“As the elected MP for a new ward, my initial priority was to listen and learn what my residents’ needs were.

Now I have a better idea of the areas we should focus on.” Mr Wong highlighted three. Firstly: connectivity, not just linkways and cycle paths, but also public transport. He was pleased that two new bus services were now running, the city direct 662 and the 979/979M service to and from Bukit Panjang MRT station.

With blocks in Limbang now 20 years old, he sees estate maintenance and rejuvenation as his second priority. “Residents expect good service. I’m glad we have a new team to help us in managing the estate.” He thought their new office at Block 562 would give his residents better access to the Town Council. “And more responsive service.”

He said that, other than planning upgrades for the neighbourhoods, parks and other amenities within Limbang, there are also some long term plans that will transform the whole area. “The rail corridor will become a major recreational attraction for us. And the whole of Sungei Kadut, in the middle of our GRC, will be rejuvenated. It’s not going to be done within five years, but I think it will be a much more vibrant place over time.” He also mentioned likely MRT benefits for our Town.

His third priority is community support for “the more vulnerable and less fortunate”. It requires fund-raising, organisation – and hundreds of volunteers to get the support to the people who need it.

Mr Wong said he had both long-serving volunteers from the old wards of Choa Chu Kang and Yew Tee, and new volunteers who came forward when Limbang was formed. “It has been very encouraging.” But he wants more people to help. Anyone who can afford a few hours. “They can write to me on Facebook or send an email. I’m contactable.”

8 MY KAMPUNG

Marsiling

Mdm Halimah YacobSpeaker of Parliament

MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC

holds Meet-the-People sessionsevery Tuesday at 7pm*

at Block 30 Marsiling Drive, #01-301, Singapore 730030

Contact: 6269 5008Email: halimah_yacob@parl.gov.sg

Mr Ong Teng KoonMP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Vice-Chairman of Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council

holds Meet-the-People sessionsevery Monday at 7.30pm* at Block 366 Woodlands Avenue 5, #01-512, Singapore 730366 Contact: 6369 8041 Email: ong.teng.koon@gmail.com

Woodgrove

For the past five years Mr Alex Yam has made building the Yew Tee identity his priority. “To give our residents a sense of belonging.” The ward is the youngest part of

the GRC, both in the age of the blocks and the population. “So the sense of rootedness is not as strong as in the older new towns. Ours is sort of a Terminus Town. Beyond us is the Great Wilderness,” he said.

There’s nature and greenery to the north, but for other amenities, you need to go south. And there’s only one plot of land left where large scale amenities could be developed, on Street 62 beside Yew Tee Point. What should be built there? Hawker centre? Shopping mall? Community Club? “And how do we maximise benefits of development while minimising inconveniences for the nearby blocks – it’s a balancing act!”

Fortunately Mr Yam is good at balancing priorities and getting things done. Currently Executive Director at the PAP headquarters, with positions on seven government commit-tees, he still has time for his family. He has two boys, one four months, one two years older, and his wife is now a fulltime homemaker to care for them. If he has time to read? “It will probably be someone’s memoir. To learn from their experi-ence – and how to avoid pitfalls they’ve had to crawl out of!”

One of Mr Ong Teng Koon’s pri-orities right now is a result of the many construction projects

taking place in Woodgrove, all at the same time. “I’m trying to make sure that the convenience of residents (and their peace of mind) is not unduly disturbed by all this construction.”

His second priority is to think of new ways to bring the community together. One way that seems to work is to find the places elderly residents sit and chat, then to install some facili-ties for them to make tea, watch TV, play checkers, and so on. If it’s the right place, the group that meets there grows in size. “We have done two, one at Block 894 and one at Block 368. I’m hoping to build a lot more.”

* except Public Holidays or the Eve of a Public Holiday

Meet our MPs

His third priority? To consolidate and enhance racial harmony. “We need to continuously develop and main-tain our tolerance for foods, manners, customs and attitudes – it’s key to our established multi-racial way of life.”

On transport matters, he’s hoping that LTA’s improvements for bus routes 912 and 913 will be done by next year.

And next year, he said, his boy will be four years old. “I’m excited about that – because on LEGO boxes it says ‘For 4 and above’. Finally, we can do LEGO.” In his conscious effort to spend more time with with his son and daugh-ter (1½), Mr Ong is grateful that, “After four years, I have a very dedicated team around me, very efficient. All the right people in the right places.”

As the new MP for Marsiling, improving infrastructure and facilities in the area is one

priority for Mdm Halimah. So, resi-dents can look forward to an upgraded Woodlands Town Garden (see p14).

“And residents needing help on mental health issues can now visit Club Heal at Block 317. I am collaborating with another group to set up a TCM clinic at Block 1. A Seniors Activity Centre will be set up at Block 4 and the underpass at Block 23 is being upgraded. More Home Improvement Programmes, covered walkways and drop-off porches are also underway.

“Another priority is improving the health and welfare of Marsiling

residents. A few months ago, I launched the Stop Dia-

betes Support Group,

the Health Support Group and the Befrienders programme to help frail, needy residents. About 700 residents have benefitted from free health screen-ings and 200 pioneers had free mobile dental care. More programmes are being planned.

“My third priority is to tighten sup-port for our needy residents. In addi-tion to monthly rations to needy fami-lies, we started free tuition and reading programmes for needy children. We also organised two job fairs to help resi-dents secure a stable income.

“My hope is to strengthen volunteer-ism in Marsiling, even among those who are currently beneficiaries of our welfare programmes, as I believe that everyone has something to contribute.”

August 2016 9

Our Town Councillors for the term 1/10/15 to 30/9/17

Communications and Service Quality Committee

Community Improvement Projects Committee

Estate Amenities Committee

Finance Committee

Tenders and Contracts Committee

10 MY KAMPUNG

The Centre will provide full-day care for over 300 children aged between

two months and six years.Most PCF centres are housed on

the void-deck of an HDB block, where space is always limited. When announc-ing the new centre, PCF chief executive officer Victor Bay said, “Kids don’t just want to sit and learn in the classroom for a long time.

“They learn very well when they run around. So we are going to incorporate that at the mega centre to aid and accel-erate learning.”

A broader learning experienceHe said that the centre will also tap on nearby amenities, like the stadium and park, to offer a broader learning experience.

For example, a lesson about plants and trees may include a walk around the park to see their scale, colour, shapes and textures. Such sensory expe-riences help children make strong con-nections to their classroom learning.

To nurture a spirit of community, there are plans to engage parents and seniors as volunteers, collaborating with the children on projects such as build-ing and maintaining a vegetable garden.

For more information, go to www.pcf.org.sg; phone 6244 4600; or email pcfhq@pcf.org.sg

PCF’s first mega childcare

centre to be in our Town!

The PAP Community Foundation (PCF) will have its first

mega childcare centre in Woodlands – on

Woodlands Street 13, near Woodlands Stadium

and Woodlands Town Park East.

The 2,500 square metre standalone double-storey centre will have an extension bay at Block 101.

Central Courtyard. Classrooms will open up to a large outdoor area including a herb and vegetable garden where children can grow their own food.

Rooftop Play Area.This 350m2 play area, equipped with cycling and running tracks, will also have equipment for water and sand play.

Environment-friendly Design. The centre will maximise natural ventilation and light while offering ample shade for outdoor play. It will also have a double-storey green wall. A

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August 2016 11

Coming up:New Police Division HQ

By 2018, Woodlands Division Headquarters (DHQ) and Woodlands West Neighbourhood Police Centre will share a new building at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 3 and Woodlands Street 12.

“Both residents and Police can look forward to bring-ing the strong police-community partnership to an even higher level with the new Woodlands DHQ,”

said Mdm Halimah Yacob at the ground-breaking ceremony.She said that with northern Singapore experiencing a

strong growth in resident population, retail space and trans-port nodes, the new Woodlands DHQ was a timely develop-ment that will augment frontline policing capabilities and services here.

Expected to be operational by the end of 2018, the new building will have a self-service lobby where you can access automated electronic police services any time .

It will also feature a public reception area designed for comfortable waiting and an auditorium that can be used for joint police-community events.

Accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Amrin Amin, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Hoong Wee Teck, Mdm Halimah Yacob viewed the display model of the new Woodlands DHQ as well as an exhibition showing the enhanced police facilities.

Woodlands will be the seventh Police division headquarters.

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12 MY KAMPUNG

Mr Victor Heng and Mdm Hazel Skading (whose

daughter Nathalie was very interested in the pictures of new playgrounds, top left!)

thought all the upgrades looked good. Hazel was

glad to see that the fitness corner at Block 626 would be

renewed. “I hope they’ll put in some softer flooring.” She

didn’t think the current brick flooring was suitable.

Mr Francis Ng liked the plans and was going to vote ‘Yes’, but he had two suggestions: (1) A drop-off point

should be built for Block 627 if possible. (2) Since the NRP was to benefit the whole area, it would be good if more of

the area leading to the MRT entrance was covered. “On a clear day, no problem. On a rainy day, there just isn’t

room under cover for the rush-hour crowds.”

Discussing the proposed NRP

for Yew Tee

Mdm Sheba Yee (with her two daughters, below) looking at the proposed new void deck amenities. She

thought the table was too low and the chairs would be hard to clean. But she thought the double decker cycle

rack was a good idea as, “There are more bicycles than racks for them – all over the estate.” She also thought

the new directional signs would be a big help for people visiting one of the blocks for the first time.

Mdm Soong Lai Keen and her daughter Miss Leong Sheu Min were happy with all the plans. Mdm Soong really liked the green connectors and put in her ‘Yes’ vote. Sheu Min liked the idea that there would, “Not be so much concrete” after the NRP and said her mother, who rides a bike, would find it easier to ride about the estate.

This Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) covers two RC Zones and 24 blocks. It’s a

large area with many green pockets and one of the three parks in Yew Tee.

While adding covered linkways, drop points and other amenities, the

proposed plans aim to further enhance the surrounding greenery.

These photos were taken at one of the gatherings held for residents to view the plans, make suggestions, and vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Three quarters of the votes must be ‘Yes’ for an NRP to go ahead.

Mr Alex Yam Ziming discussing the design of a proposed directional sign at car park entrance.

August 2016 13

WOODLANDEnhancing the park

landscape and the mangroves.

WATERUsing the water body

to create a scenic neighbourhood park.

EARTHTaking advantage

of the earth mounds to create an exciting

playscape.

STONEUsing rocks and stone

textures as features.

“I have been working closely with NParks for this upgrading,” said Madam Halimah Yacob,

after the launch of the proposals for the park were shown at Marsiling Commu-nity Club on 24 April.

“Neighbourhood gardens are impor-tant for our families and I look forward to the upgraded Garden,” she said.

The exhibition showed how the design concept was based on four exist-ing natural elements in the park: Water, Earth, Stone and Woodland.

Upgrading Woodlands Town Garden

A ‘ribbon’ playscape. The ribbons will weave through the grassy slopes and trees to create an attractive and exciting play area. They can be used as both play features and seating.

Play and fitness areas. The site’s undulating terrain will be incorporated into the design, creating varied opportunities for play. 3-Generation and adult fitness areas will be installed close to the children’s play area, so that families can enjoy the facilities together. (All illustrations are artist’s impressions only.)

From July this year to December next year, Woodlands Town Garden will undergo an upgrading that will feature existing natural elements in the park.

One objective of the upgrading is to build community spaces offering shade and comfort, like the proposed activity plaza with a rain garden near the per-formance area, together with a shaded paved plaza for activities like tai chi.

Another objective is to bring us closer to nature and the rich biodiver-sity in the park. Enhancements will be done to the mangrove area, and new educational signs will be installed. A new boardwalk will also be built along the pond edges.

A major feature of the upgrading will be new lighting to brighten up the park and highlight key elements – to make the park more attractive and safe for night use.

PHOTO AND IMAGE CREDIT: NPARKS

14 MY KAMPUNG

Good Food

You’ve already decided on your favourite place to eat chicken rice. Or maybe you’re very

strange and you don’t like chicken rice. Either way, you should try Ah Boy Chicken Rice at stall #4 in the V6 Food Court at Block 678A Choa Chu Kang Crescent. No kidding, you should. It’s so good it won a prize in last year’s SG50 cooking contests and is becoming quite famous. For eight years, Mr Chai Kok Seng worked in the kitchens of the

Raffles and Concorde hotels here, where he was known by his childhood nick-name, Ah Boy. In 2007 he set up his stall in V6. He got the recipe from his parents who used to sell chicken rice in Johor Bahru. He says he uses Thai fragrant rice, fresh chickens weighing over two kilos each, the usual ginger, pandan and garlic, a lot of care – and a little secret! $4 includes a bowl of excellent soup and his zippy chilli dip. Open from 9.30am to 8.30pm, closed on Thursdays.

The sign on this stall, 786 Sabira Indian Muslim Food Shenton Way Mee Goreng, tells you

that the family who runs it are devout Muslims, that their stall’s origins were in the city, and that they’re proud of their mee goreng. The rest of the sign shows you that they also cook every-thing else you might like. We chose nasi goreng instead of the mee goreng. It was right up there with the most enjoyable we have eaten. Besides ikan bilis and all the other morsels you come across in good nasi goreng, it had crunchy bits

of french bean and carrot! Rafiq, who runs the stall with his brother and some other family members, says their roti pratas, served in the mornings, are also very popular with his customers. Also their kambing soups. We’re not sur-prised. Their stall is a treasure of Indian food, hidden behind the HDB blocks that surround the eating house at 787A Choa Chu Kang Drive. $1 for plain roti prata, $3.50-$4 for nasi goreng, $6-$7 for murtabak. Open 6am to 11pm daily – except the days they can’t open for some reason.

Block 4A Woodlands Centre Road is no match for the modern food centres NEA is building today.

The blocks here went up in the early 1980s and are a tribute to the archi-tecture of the day with their broad, sweeping staircases, multi-level layout and huge planters bringing trees and greenery close to your stall or shop. The blocks are not as busy as they used to be, but some of the shops and stalls still have the stuff that drew the crowds – and still draw them! Ye Lai Xiang

Laksa, stall #02-36 (about the middle on the south side) still carries the name of the man who set up the stall 30 years ago, serving laksa and prawn mee. His daughter, Mdm Wong Lee Choon, and her husband took it over in 2006. Now their son is learning and will probably take over when they move to the new food centre by the swimming complex. We tried their laksa and prawn mee. $3 a bowl. Excellent! “It takes three days to prepare that gravy!” Open 4.30am to 2pm, closed Thursdays.

Whoever says we’re short of good stall food in our Town must be very new here!

Someone said we should try Al-Ameen at the back of The Woodgrove on the corner of

Woodlands Ave 1 and Woodgrove Drive, but now it’s Al-Azhar. The famous eating house opposite Beauty World opened a branch here four months ago. The set-up is like a food centre, with different specialities cooked and served from stalls around the perimeter. Seafood, satay, Thai muslim, tandoor, western grill, roti prata, and a selection of deserts and drinks to die for – everything from a banana split to mango lassi. We spoke to the manager,

Mr Hafiq Khan. “It’s a family-owned-and-run business,” he said. “The owner, Mr Rahman, is my uncle. We try to maintain the very best quality in the food we serve – and to give you the best service possible.” He said many of his staff stay in nearby accommodation provided by the company and that helps maintain service standards. “It’s very convenient for them, no time wasted travelling.” The service was good, and so was the food. An average bill for food and drink would be about $7-$10. Open 6am to 2am – but you can’t eat outside after 10.30pm.

August 2016 15

If you live in the Marsiling or Woodgrove divisions, you can go to the Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council’s North Office at Block 306A Woodlands Street 31.

If you live in the Limbang or Yew Tee divisions, you can still go to the Choa Chu Kang Town Coun-cil office until the end of December 2016. By then the Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council will have a new South Office in operation at Block 562 Choa Chu Kang Street 52.

If you prefer, you can pay at any AXS machine or use the AXS mobile app or the online AXS e-Station. Or use the online pay-ment methods offered by OCBC, DBS and POSB.

Where can you pay

your S&CC?

You can reach your Town Council at:Block 306A Woodlands Street 31, #02-00, Singapore 731306Phone: 6430 7800Fax: 6362 4822Email: feedback@myttc.org.sgFor Payment / CollectionMonday to Friday: 8am to 4.30pm Saturday: 8am to 12.30pm Sunday and Public Holidays: ClosedFor Maintenance & General FeedbackMonday to Friday: 8am to 5pm Saturday: 8am to 1pm Sunday and Public Holidays: Closed

Our photos show Mr Win Min picking litter in Yew Tee on 8 May. Can you spot the five

places where the two photos differ? Circle them and you could be one of four lucky winners of a $30 shopping voucher! Send your entry to: Puzzle, CorpComm Dept, Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council, Block 306A Woodlands Street 31, #02-00, Singapore 731306.Contest closes 31 October 2016.N

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