Main photo: The SLA and the Housing Board said that the move will allow for “greater administrative and operational efficiency”. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
SINGAPORE – From March 1, individuals and organisations will need to turn to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to apply for the use of state land within HDB estates for community and religious events such as night markets and Hungry Ghost Festival activities.
In a joint statement on Thursday, SLA and the Housing Board, which currently manages these spaces, said that the move will allow for greater administrative and operational efficiency.
SLA currently manages state land plots outside of public housing estates, such as empty spaces under viaducts, as well as fields near Haw Par Villa MRT station and Dover Road.
With the handover, SLA will issue temporary occupation licences needed for the use of state land in public housing estates, and handle the maintenance and feedback.
Temporary occupation licences are required when these spaces are used for religious and community events, as well as for community gardens.
The agencies said that HDB currently manages and maintains about 1,408ha of state land within public housing estates and manages about 600 temporary occupation licences.
Examples of plots within public housing estates that will fall under SLA’s care from March 1 include a field next to Woodlands MRT station and a hard court next to Choa Chu Kang MRT station where night markets are often set up.
“All key terms and conditions of licences or tenancy agreements issued by HDB and prevailing as of the transfer date will remain unchanged,” said HDB and SLA.
They added that “the public can be assured that the transition of the management agency will be seamless”.
Before March 1, licensees and tenants can continue to approach HDB for help on matters relating to their temporary occupation licences and day-to-day operations.
The agency has been managing state land within public housing estates since 1987, when it was appointed as the agent for such land for the former Land Office, which has since come under SLA.
For inquiries on matters relating to the transfer, licensees and tenants can call HDB on 6490-3177, or submit a request through www.hdb.gov.sg/efeedback
From March 1, all new temporary occupation licence applications for the use of vacant state land within HDB estates will be handled by SLA, and applications may be submitted at https://app1.sla.gov.sg/tol
Those who wish to check if a site is state land can do so using the LandQuery feature at www.onemap.gov.sg, while feedback on municipal issues can continue to be submitted through the OneService App.