'rural' Singapore - Lim Chu Kang

[RafflesCity]

Tucked away in the north-western reaches of Singapore lies Lim Chu Kang, one of Singapore's remaining rural and undeveloped areas. It is also home to the Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve.

Here are some pictures:

Across the waters, Malaysia can be seen.





From the jetty at the end of Lim Chu Kang Rd.





Wonder what that is

[hyacinthus]

I took some pics at the Jetty and was told that no photography is allowed by the coastal guards. It's quite a ulu place. how did you get there?

[RafflesCity]

No photography? Strange...I wasnt stopped there.

Just take the PIE and exit into Lim Chu Kang Rd, then drive all the way north.

anyway here are some other shots of Lim Chu Kang...thought its quite a relaxing place...

there is a club there..forgot the name.







you have any shots from the coast?

[hyacinthus]

It's National Service Resort and Country Club.

I had to delete all those pictures in front of the coast guards.

[Deunamist]

Might be a sensitive area...

[Cliff]

You get a nice view from the mrt at woodlands and marsling station.

[aloyteo]

i like the last 3 pics. dun look like singapore

[nicholasliha]

Its great seeing something from Neo Tiew here, here's mine:

Looks like the government's secret alien contact post.

And for my first semester architecture (nus) project i visited the fishing grounds off Punggol and discovered Bt Penggerang of Malaysia. I got an A+ for that design project.






Punggol has such an alien beauty to it. To think that our parents lived amidst such untamed beauty in the outlands.

[JoSin]

Beauty? Its still far from it...compared it to the fields and hill slopes in other countries...sign.

[Arvo]

why the countryside in Singapore looks so 'empty'?

[RafflesCity]

Well its quite amazing nevertheless looking at these 'wilderness' pics of Singapore

@nicholasliha, that first pic does look freaky indeed! I saw that observation thingy and commented how strange it looked in the middle of the countryside.

@aloyteo, thanks, the air does feel fresher there, and cooler, especially just after the rain.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by hyacinthus

It's National Service Resort and Country Club.

I had to delete all those pictures in front of the coast guards.

Wow! Talk about paranoid! Haha, that just makes me want to go there and take pics all the more lol! What're they trying to hide?

[RafflesCity]

Govt to release land for agriculture cum recreation projects

25 Aug 06

SINGAPORE : The government is releasing land to be developed for agriculture cum recreation and entertainment projects.

As part of a pilot project, three plots of vacant land at Lim Chu Kang will be put up for tender.

Such sites have traditionally been set aside for farm uses; but these three sites can now also be used for non-agricultural uses like nature education, corporate training retreats, and rustic guest accommodation.

The tender is expected to be launched around the end of the third quarter or early in fourth quarter of this year.

Tenderers will first be invited to bid for the land, either based on the farming uses or the agri-tainment uses.

They will then also be asked to submit a bid for alternative uses which are not found within the allowable approved uses.

If the pilot scheme is popular, the Land Authority is likely to release a steady and gradual supply of such land.

This is seen as a good opportunity for entrepreneurs to try out innovative business ideas to exploit the nostalgic and rustic appeal of Singapore's rural heartland.

[JoSin]

wad happened to the forums? couldnt get in for past few days...

[RafflesCity]

Three Lim Chu Kang sites offered for agri-tainment

10 Oct 06


THE Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is offering three sites in Lim Chu Kang for agricultural use as well as a mix of agriculture, recreation and entertainment uses, including farm stays and outdoor sports like fishing and rock-climbing.


And SLA is prepared to release more such sites in the area next year, depending on demand.

The maiden three sites, released yesterday, are being offered through a tender that closes on Dec 5. The sites will be sold on 20-year leasehold tenure.

One plot is near Bollywood Veggies, another is next to an existing bird farm, and the third is adjacent to a frog farm.

SLA's director of land operations division Simon Ong said: 'The government's vision is to transform the Lim Chu Kang area into a recreational countryside - a destination within easy reach of urban dwellers where we can enjoy rustic scenery, see livestock up close and take part in exciting adventure and outdoor activities.

'We hope that entrepreneurs will seize this opportunity to bring about a wide range of interesting agri-tainment facilities in different settings to cater to the diverse and sophisticated tastes of our people.'

The three sites add up to 78,329 sq metres and are zoned for agricultural and/or agri-tainment uses. Entrepreneurs and farmers will be invited to tender for the land for agri-tainment use, agricultural use or both within the same tender. If there are no bids for agri-tainment use, the tender can be awarded for agricultural use - without any need for a fresh tender.

'Entrepreneurs and farmers can also suggest alternative and innovative land use ideas,' SLA said. 'Such ideas will be evaluated by the various government agencies before the tender is awarded. This will save tenderers considerable time and effort. If the proposed ideas are not accepted, they can opt out of the tender. In this way, uncertainty and risks are minimised.' Assuming the proposed use is acceptable to the authorities, the award will be based on price.

If a site is awarded for agri-tainment development, the successful bidder can build up to 1,000 sq metres of commercial gross floor area (GFA), including of a maximum 200 sq m for food and beverage/retail and 300 sq m for guest accommodation and spa facilities. If a site is awarded for solely agricultural development, the successful bidder can have up to 500 sq m commercial GFA - comprising 200 sq m for F&B/retail and 300 sq m for guest accommodation and spa facilities. These conditions are similar to current planning guidelines for existing farm sites.

SLA said it has received more than 30 enquiries about the sites.


By KALPANA RASHIWALA

[Magician]

Oh gosh... have been staying in Singapore for 6 years... but have never been to Lim Chu Kang... seems like a really nice paradise away from City

[SEAfan]

Fascinating! Thanks so much, Raffi, for opening this thread (and I'm sorry I missed it for so long). And thanks also to Nicolas for his photos.

Yes, this doesn't look like the hustle & bustle of totally built-up Singapore at all!

That strange looking thingie over in Malaysia ... I guess it could be a power plant.

Interesting to hear that the authorities are opening up this area for cautious, defined development ... the notion of agri-tainment just cracks me up!

Please don't think I find anything wrong with it, though.

[RafflesCity]

Thanks SEAFan

Its definitely a place to get-away from it all without actually getting away.

Agri-tainment could be the activity that might bring more 100% urbanised Singaporeans into the rural areas in their own backyards. The concept of farmstays and such might have potential in this area...I am sure the ideas are there...

One such concept is Bollywood Veggies, an organic farm and cafe:

[SEAfan]

Ooooh, what a beautiful purple in those eggplants!

Thanks, Raffi. I think I'm getting a better idea about "agri-tainment."

[cmoonflyer]

Wonderful place , the urban has no the atmosphere the rural Sig has !