04 March 2025 – As announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his Budget 2025 speech, the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund will be topped up by $5 billion. In her Committee of Supply speech today, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu highlighted the urgency of and plans to implement various coastal protection measures progressively over the coming decades.
2 PUB leads and coordinates coastal protection efforts across the Government. We will consider a range of solutions for different coastal segments and develop them with reference to the latest climate science. PUB is undertaking the following initiatives to strengthen our coastal defences against rising sea levels:
• [New] Two more site-specific studies to commence by 2026, for Sentosa Island and the south-west coast;
• [New] Coastal protection legislation to be tabled in the second half of 2025;
• [New] Code of Practice for coastal protection and a new Flood-Resilient Developments (FRD) guidebook to be launched in 2026; and
• [Progress Update] Details for the Greater Southern Waterfront and Changi (part of the City-East Coast site-specific study) coastal protection
plans to be unveiled in second half of 2025.
3 The Third National Climate Change Study, released in January 2024, projected that mean sea levels around Singapore could rise by up to 1.15 metres by 2100 and up to around 2 metres by 2150. With around 30% of our land less than 5m above mean sea level, Singapore is vulnerable to the impact of sea level rise. Some locations such as East Coast Park already experience sporadic episodes of coastal flooding when high tide coincides with heavy rainfall.
Two new site-specific studies (SSS) to commence by 2026
4 Singapore’s coastlines have been divided into different segments for site-specific studies. Since 2021, relevant government agencies have commenced site-specific studies at City-East Coast, Jurong Island and the north-west coast to develop locally tailored coastal adaptation options and plans. Two upcoming SSS at Sentosa Island and south-west coast will commence by 2026.
Site-specific study on the protection of Sentosa’s coastline (Photo credit: Sentosa Development Corporation)
5 Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) will lead the SSS for Sentosa Island and dovetail coastal protection measures with its upcoming development plans. The study, covering approximately 16km of the coastline, will take into account Sentosa Island's function as a leisure and tourism destination.
Part of West Coast Park, to be studied in the south-west coast SSS to commence by 2026
6 PUB will commence the SSS for the south-west coast, taking into consideration findings from the ongoing Coastal Barrier Feasibility Study (CBFS)1 and Jurong Island SSS. The south-west coast study area stretches from Tuas to Pasir Panjang, covering approximately 116km of coastline. Key land uses for the area include a blend of waterfront industrial estates, port facilities such as the Tuas Port and Pasir Panjang terminals, and recreational areas like West Coast Park. We will consider how to dovetail the coastal protection measures with the development plans for the south-west coast.
(Please refer to Annex for updates on the ongoing SSS)
Legislation and design standards to be introduced for coastal protection measures
Coastal Protection Bill
7 To support the implementation of coastal protection plans, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and PUB will be proposing new legislation in the second half of 2025. The intent is to delineate stakeholder responsibilities, safeguard land for coastal protection measures, and ensure compliance with coastal protection standards. PUB will engage stakeholders, including relevant public agencies and private coastal landowners, in formulating the new legislation.
Code of Practice and Guidelines
8 PUB plans to launch a Code of Practice (COP) for coastal protection by the first half of 2026. Similar to PUB’s existing COP for surface water drainage, the coastal protection COP will provide a set of standards for the industry on the design, construction and operation of various coastal protection structures in Singapore. PUB is also working on a new Flood-Resilient Developments (FRD) guidebook to complement the COP for coastal protection. This guidebook will contain guidelines and case studies that can help landowners decide how to enhance the flood resilience of their land and premises. PUB will seek inputs from industry experts and relevant stakeholders to gather feedback in formulating the contents of the COP and FRD guidebook this year.
Footnote:
[1] Launched in 2023, the CBFS reviews the potential deployment of coastal barriers at the south-western coastlines to protect the area from storm surges.
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Annex:
Updates on ongoing site-specific studies
1 The Government has adopted a phased approach in carrying out coastal protection site-specific studies (SSS), based on factors such as the vulnerability of the coastline, and the need to dovetail with planned developments. There are four ongoing SSS (City-East Coast, Jurong Island and both sections of the north-west coast), with the next two planned for Sentosa Island and the south-west coast.
2 PUB adopts a collaborative approach in developing coastal protection solutions. PUB has carried out four sessions of “Our Coastal Conversation” (OCC) thus far, attended by various stakeholders including nature groups, business representatives, community leaders, interest groups, residents and students. The sessions aim to raise awareness and gather feedback on coastal and flood protection, as well as discuss aspirations, potential solutions and trade-offs. PUB will continue to work closely with key stakeholders on the development of the most appropriate measures for each segment of the coastline while taking into consideration development needs and site constraints.
City-East Coast
3 Commenced in 2021, the study for City-East Coast comprises three areas – East Coast-Marina (covered by Long Island), Changi and Greater Southern Waterfront (GSW).
4 PUB will complete SSS for GSW and Changi this year. The recommended coastal protection measures for GSW and Changi, incorporating feedback from the public, will be shared later this year. Subsequently, design of the recommended measures will be carried out and construction of measures is expected to commence from the 2030s.
5 Long Island, a project that entails reclaiming about 800 hectares of land off the East Coast, will form a continuous line of defence to protect the East Coast area against rising sea levels. Twelve existing outlet drains along the coast will drain water into a new reservoir. The reservoir will be installed with two barrages and pumping stations, and like the Marina Barrage, the barrages and pumping stations will keep out seawater during high tides and enhance flood protection by discharging stormwater into the sea during heavy rainfall.
Jurong Island
6 JTC has completed the first phase of the engagement to understand the operational needs and future plans of stakeholders as part of the development of coastal protection measures for Jurong Island. Some key considerations include maintaining waterfront access for operational purposes and ensuring business continuity in Jurong Island. JTC is currently working with PUB and stakeholders to formulate appropriate coastal adaptation solutions, and the work is on track.
North-west coast
7 The north-west coast has been divided into two sections. The SSS for the first section, from Tuas Checkpoint to Lim Chu Kang jetty, commenced in 2022. The second study, which covers Lim Chu Kang to Woodlands, was launched in 2023. Both studies are making good progress.
Refer to the attached infographic for an overview of site-specific studies along Singapore's coastline:
