ABC is Fun for Me!

Introducing the First Kolam Ayer ABC Waters Project Community Workshop!

PUB held its first ABC Waters Project Workshop for the Community for Kolam Ayer at St Andrew’s Secondary School on the Saturday afternoon of 1 December 2007.

The day started with a tour of the Kolam Ayer ABC Waters Project site. The 120 participants, comprising of representatives from the Kolam Ayer Grassroots Organisations, schools and relevant interest groups took a glimpse of what the nearly-completed project entails - a water wheel, three Archimedean Screws, water sensitive landscaping along the riverbanks, floating deck and cleansing biotope.

Starting the day with a tour of the Kolam Ayer ABC Waters Project site.

Thrilled by the idea of a first-hand waterfront living experience and the additional facilities that will come in place with the completion of the Kolam Ayer ABC Waters project in March next year, participants were all forthcoming with their ideas during the sub-group brainstorming sessions on projects for their community. The participants were divided into four different groups, namely: “Active Living@Kolam Ayer”, “Green Thumbs@Kolam Ayer”, “Fun with Learning@Kolam Ayer” and “Friendly Environment@Kolam Ayer”.

The participants deep in group discussion.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Environment and Water Resources Minister arrived at the workshop as the participants gathered to share their ideas. After the group presentations, participants were unanimous in their choice of ideas which included the following: the formation of interest groups (for exercise), organization of telematches, games, carnivals such as waterfest or riverfest. Public education and the promotion of clean waterways within the Kolam Ayer Community were also top on the list of the participants.

PUB will work together with the relevant agencies and community leaders towards the realisation of the recommended projects. Quoting Minister Yaacob’s words: "It is not sustainable for the Ministry, or the PUB, or NEA to do everything that we want to do. We have to get community participation and ownership. As we open up our waterways, we beautify them. It's not something that we just go, have fun and go back. You must feel that you are part of it." Indeed, PUB hopes to set this workshop as a model for all subsequent ABC Waters projects. We hope with greater joint ownership of our waters, we are better able to realise and sustain our vision of “City of Gardens and Water”.