1 Many uninitiated and busy Singaporeans will simply drive pass the Sungei Tengah Exit along the KJE without a second thought of what lies beyond this gateway. However, to a growing number of people in Singapore, Sungei Tengah is a haven of interesting blend of farms and recreational activities. For example, there is a growing contingent of urbanites from nearby housing estates planning their next late night cycling foray into Sungei Tengah to explore the traffic-free laneways with their gleaming mountain bicycles. To some families, Sungei Tengah represents the chance to get the freshest home-grown vegetables, harvested right from the farm no more than a few minutes ago. To others, Farmart and Qian Hu are popular choices for family trips – for parents, it is a nostalgic throwback to rural life in the Kampong while it is a welcome change for their children to explore and revel in the quaint and quiet countryside. Some even go to Sungei Tengah to have their precious lunchtime liaisons with their pets – e.g., to see, talk to and feed their precious Koi fishes in the Nikko Koi Farm (Hotel).

2 There has been strong interest made by existing lessees and new investors to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), indicating their desire to expand their existing operations or to develop new farms at Sungei Tengah. In addition, there is some demand for complementary commercial use and facilities, whilst maintaining the rustic charm of Sungei Tengah. In line with SLA’s objective to optimise the use of land, SLA is tendering out four 20-year lease sites at Sungei Tengah for various agricultural use.

3. Besides the traditional farming uses like vegetable, ornamental plant and fish production, the sites spanning a total land area of 96,031 sqm, can each be developed to include some commercial uses at a maximum quantum of 200 sqm of GFA for food & beverage / retail, and a maximum of 300 sqm of GFA for rustic guest accommodation and/or spa facilities. The various allowable uses for the four sites include fish farming/orchid/plant production/vegetable cultivation/toad and/or frog culture. Please refer to Annex A for details on each site and Annex B for the location maps.

4 SLA’s Deputy Director of Land Sales, Mr Teo Jing Kok, said: “The feedback from farmers and our research shows that the sale of agricultural sites with a small infusion of commercial use is indeed also the best business model for farmers to pursue their agriculture business. The injection of some commercial use would allow the farmers to diversify their operation and have an additional source of revenue for the farmers. Such recreational and educational opportunity encourages farmers to be more attuned to changing social and economic trends, and incentivise them to look out for entrepreneurial opportunities. The end result is that Singapore becomes a more exciting and interesting place to live in or visit.”

5 The tender for the four sites at Sungei Tengah is open for 5 weeks and will close on 15 November 2007. Information of the sale has been published on Gebiz. More information can be found in the developer’s packets. The developer’s packet can be purchased at $52.50 (inclusive of Goods and Services Tax) from the Singapore Land Authority at 8 Shenton Way, #26-01, Singapore 068811 from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday, 8.30 to 11am.

-End-

Issued by:
The Singapore Land Authority
11 October 2007