Singapore, 30 September 2025 – National water agency PUB has made steady progress on the site-specific study (SSS) for the north-west coast stretching from Lim Chu Kang to Woodlands1. The study, which aims to recommend coastal protection measures for this stretch of the coastline, commenced in August 2023 and is expected to be completed in the next one to two years.
2 PUB’s latest Our Coastal Conversation (OCC), which was held on 27 September 2025, saw Ms Goh Hanyan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth2, join 50 participants for a site walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) and the nearby Kranji Dam and Tidal Gatehouse, before engaging in a lively discussion on how the coastline for this area can be protected.
Ms Goh Hanyan in discussion with participants
3 During the session, participants from various walks of life, including the cycling and fishing communities, nature groups and business owners, deliberated the considerations, challenges and trade-offs in developing coastal protection measures, particularly for this segment of the coastline.
4 They learned how the SBWR area will be vulnerable to sea level rise and highlighted the importance of locating measures behind the mangrove habitats to preserve them. For instance, in lieu of constructing coastal protection measures seaward of these places, certain amenities such as the public trails around the existing visitor centre and the carpark could be designated a Transiently Floodable Coastal Area (TFCA) and allowed to flood during extreme high tides or storm surges. Participants also provided suggestions on the possible flood response plans and warnings to safeguard public safety within TFCAs during extreme coastal events.
Participants during the site-walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve carpark to discuss
potential transient flooding in the area during extreme high tide or storm surges
5 Participants also raised ideas on how coastal protection measures at Kranji Dam and Tidal Gatehouse can be designed as multi-functional spaces. Kranji Dam was built in 1975 across the mouth of Sungei Kranji to create Kranji Reservoir, an important water supply source for Singapore. The dam prevents seawater from entering the reservoir, which could affect the treatment of freshwater. They discussed opportunities to incorporate amenities such as footpaths or cycling paths to improve connectivity in the vicinity. Others pointed out how the existing Kranji Tidal Gatehouse, with its iconic towers, could potentially be repurposed as viewing decks, waterfront cafes or educational spaces.
Kranji Tidal Gatehouse
6 Participants at the dialogue session welcomed the opportunity to share their views and were appreciative of the OCC’s interactive format. A cycling enthusiast who attended the session said: “I joined this session because rising sea levels is inevitable in the future. I appreciate that Singapore is already planning ahead for coastal protection, while also thinking about how these plans can serve more purposes and improve our lives down the road. I heard many interesting perspectives from the session, such as preserving the mangrove area and ideas to rejuvenate the area.”
7 A youth member of a nature group said: “Allowing parts of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Nature Reserve to flood temporarily is a way to allow the mangroves to naturally retreat inland as sea level rises, as compared to building hard coastal protection structures directly in front or behind it. Participating in this dialogue allowed my fellow peers and I to bring a voice for biodiversity and protecting the environment.”
8 Ms Hazel Khoo, Director of PUB’ Coastal Protection department, said: “We are heartened by the meaningful contributions at the dialogue. The site walk gave participants a chance to experience the area’s unique features first-hand, sparking thoughtful discussions. The north-west coast has unique characteristics and uses, and we hear the aspirations of the people who live, work and play here. PUB will incorporate the valuable feedback we received from participants as we develop the recommended measures for this area.”
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Footnotes:
[1] The site-specific study for another stretch of the north-west coast (Tuas to Lim Chu Kang), consisting of four coastal reservoirs, commenced in April 2022. More information here.
[2] SPS Goh Hanyan’s opening remarks can be found here.
