More greenery to be retained at Maju Forest & Gillman Barracks but we'll have to accept fewer homes on both sites: Alvin Tan

Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan announced that the government plans to retain more greenery at Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest sites, following public feedback and consultations with nature groups. At Gillman Barracks, the current plan will preserve green spaces equivalent to 40% of the site, including native-dominated secondary forests, a forest stream, and ecological connections to other nature sites.

For Maju Forest, the plan retains 35% of the forested areas, including the native-dominated secondary forest, a natural freshwater stream, and the former Jurong Railway Line.

However, the current plan is not final, and Tan emphasized that the government will consider the suggestions of nature groups, which have highlighted the importance of maintaining a wide central green corridor to create a contiguous vegetated area for animals to forage. Residents and the general public also requested the preservation of more greenery.

Tan assured that the government will work out the exact amount of additional greenery but will have to accept building fewer homes on both sites for fellow Singaporeans. The government remains open to suggestions and aims to finalize the plan within the following month. The Nature Society Singapore's president, Leong Kwok Peng, expressed his personal preference to preserve Maju Forest and suggested a possible balance of a two-thirds forested area with a one-third developed area.