Mr Goh said that HDB should not interfere with Mr Chiam's desire to plant the Sterculia Nobilis or even to rear chickens if he liked!
No, the Town Council Act did not arise because of this frustrating moment.
But Mr Goh was making the case for HDB to cede some power to MPs and residents to run their own estates and create the type of environment they would like to live in.
Before there were town councils, housing estates were managed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). The standardised rules for all housing estates meant that HDB towns were monotonous.
By managing housing estates centrally, the HDB was also slow in reaching decisions to fix problems faced by residents and addressing their complaints. It was against this backdrop that the town council concept was introduced.
With local autonomy, each town would be better able to develop its own distinctive character and identity, reflecting the aspirations and commitment of its residents and Town councillors.
The first pilot town councils were Ang Mo Kio West, East and South, each comprising three constituencies.
The pilot town councils were responsible for the upkeep and management of the constituencies. Among the works carried out by the three town councils during the trial period were installing ceiling fans at hawker centres, replacing footpaths and creating more parking spaces in the housing estates. The councils also initiated landscaping projects such as paintings at void decks and shrub plantings to liven up the surroundings, and to give distinctive features to the neighbourhoods. The town councils were also involved in organising community-related activities such as exhibitions and campaigns to promote social responsibility and neighbourliness among residents.
Following their success, the government passed the Town Council Act in 1988 to pave the way for the full implementation of the town council concept throughout Singapore.
But Mr Goh was making the case for HDB to cede some power to MPs and residents to run their own estates and create the type of environment they would like to live in.
Before there were town councils, housing estates were managed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). The standardised rules for all housing estates meant that HDB towns were monotonous.
By managing housing estates centrally, the HDB was also slow in reaching decisions to fix problems faced by residents and addressing their complaints. It was against this backdrop that the town council concept was introduced.
With local autonomy, each town would be better able to develop its own distinctive character and identity, reflecting the aspirations and commitment of its residents and Town councillors.
The first pilot town councils were Ang Mo Kio West, East and South, each comprising three constituencies.
The pilot town councils were responsible for the upkeep and management of the constituencies. Among the works carried out by the three town councils during the trial period were installing ceiling fans at hawker centres, replacing footpaths and creating more parking spaces in the housing estates. The councils also initiated landscaping projects such as paintings at void decks and shrub plantings to liven up the surroundings, and to give distinctive features to the neighbourhoods. The town councils were also involved in organising community-related activities such as exhibitions and campaigns to promote social responsibility and neighbourliness among residents.
Following their success, the government passed the Town Council Act in 1988 to pave the way for the full implementation of the town council concept throughout Singapore.
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