The agreement, reached at a meeting and announced at a joint press conference with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Parks Board (NParks) on the same day, contains the following points:

• Retaining the core marshland areas along Kranji Reservoir and next to the BBC Transmitting Station.
   
• Retaining key plant species.
   
• Replanting with native plant species to create 'migration connectors and new ecological habitats for wildlife'.
   
• Creating nature trails along the perimeter of the site to provide access to nature lovers.
   
• Introducing new ponds, waterbodies and marshes to recreate the natural environment.

NSRCC is committed to fulfilling these points of agreement. From the start, it has strived to preserve as much of the natural environment as possible and to develop an ecologically-friendly golf course.

We have engaged reputable nature experts from the National University of Singapore to conduct a comprehensive ecosystem study of the site and recommend conservation measures that have been incorporated into the golf-course design.

Of the original 72ha set aside for development, 8ha were returned to the state and a further 8.6ha were set aside as green buffer. This green buffer, set aside for environmental conservation, constitutes more than 13 per cent of the land paid for by NSRCC.

In addition, NSRCC has gone beyond what was agreed and incorporated the following measures:

• Providing tall and short tree connectors throughout the course to facilitate wildlife movement.
   
• Introducing an additional four marshlands (totalling about 1.8ha) and ponds within the golf course.
   
• Providing a soft-edged stream linking the pond at the canal to a newly created main pond within the course.
   
• Modifying a hole at Sungei Jelutong to preserve the natural outlook.

The issues raised by NSS in the report were not part of the April 29 agreement. NSS had, subsequent to the agreement, submitted additional requests on May 21 last year.

NSRCC informed NSS that the additional requests would be considered if they did not severely affect the golf-course development. The requests included a 60m buffer zone abutting Jelutong Bay and a marsh channel linking the canal marshland to Sungei Sawa and Jelutong Bay, as highlighted in the report.

On Sept 10 last year, NSRCC met NSS, in the presence of officials from URA and NParks, to explain why these two requests could not be accommodated fully. Due to land constraints, the back-filling of part of Jelutong Bay is necessary, but our consultants have advised us that this will not substantially harm the aquatic birds.

Nevertheless, NSRCC offered to undertake intensive planting along the Sungei Jelutong boundary and also to provide dense vegetation to connect the ponds. Subsequently, during a site visit requested by NSS, it was agreed that a 1m strip running along the SingTel fence-line be left untouched to facilitate wildlife movement.

To alleviate flooding, the platform level of the golf course has to be raised and it is not possible to retain the marshy pockets and ponds. However, NSRCC will make every effort to recreate the ponds and marshland, and preserve the natural scenery.

The acacia tree (where some baya weaver nests were sited) had to be removed as it was in the way. This was done only after confirmation that the nests were not active.

We have also ascertained with our nature experts that the baya weaver is not a threatened species and is, in fact, common in Singapore. As for the lesser whistling ducks and purple swamphens, they are still to be found in the area.

In summary, NSRCC has, wherever feasible, accommodated the additional requests by NSS.

It is in our interest to preserve the biodiversity and ecological value of the marshland. We have adhered to the April 29 agreement and have incorporated additional measures of our own to ensure a conducive environment for wildlife.

Our efforts at conservation at the existing golf course at Changi have been recognised internationally. We are the first golf course in Singapore to receive the Certified Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary Award, the Environmental Steward Award and the International Environmental Leader Award between 1999 and 2001.

We will continue to work closely with URA, NParks and our nature experts to deliver an environmentally-friendly golf course for the benefit of our national servicemen.

TANG MUN POH
General Manager
National Service Resort & Country Club