The Department of Environment (DOE) has approved the construction of the three-paired highways across the island.

State exco for Public Infrastructure Zairil Khir Johari said the DOE has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report with 59 additional conditions attached.

In a joint press conference with the delivery partner – Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, Zairil said the contractor has to abide by the terms and conditions and the state will also monitor the progress of construction work.

The conditions involve building additional mitigation measures such as drainage, including a storm tunnel to mitigate the intensity of rainfall.

Zairil said the DOE has instructed Zenith to be mindful of the climate change phenomenon in terms of rainfall and water flow.

Additional remedial measures were also imposed on erosion, hillslope stability, explosions, waste management, and an environmental audit.

The three paired highways are the Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang (10.53km) route, the Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway route (5.7km), and from Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (4.075km).

Penang will commence with the second phase (Air Itam to the Expressway) first; by the first quarter of next year, with the total completion for the three roads scheduled within the next six to nine years.

Zairil said the EIA has compelled Zenith to offer an alternative traffic route during the construction period.

He said the state was prepared to engage with any quarters, who continue to have misgivings about the project.

Essentially, the roads would reduce travelling time between Tanjung Bungah to the touristy belt of Batu Ferringhi and to allow people to travel from Gurney Drive to the Bayan Lepas International Airport within 20 minutes.

Source: TheSundaily.my

Gurney Wharf, a world class “park-on-the-sea”, is going to be even better than initially planned.

The state government is planning to transform the place into “the pride of Penangites” with seaside retail outlets, F&B aplenty, water gardens, and beach and coastal grove on the 24.28ha plot of reclaimed land.

“We have always been planning for Gurney Wharf to be world-class but now, we want it to be even more than that,” said State Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

In the weeks after the elections, Jagdeep said his department met the project’s architects and consultants several times to explore more packages.

Jagdeep refrained from disclosing what gems are being thought up, explaining that “the consultants gave us so many packages and concepts to choose from and we haven’t firmed up our selections”.

“We are aiming to see Penangites getting as much as possible out of this,” he said.

It was reported in 2016 that the proposed seafront public recreation area would be created on the plot of reclaimed land, using concepts inspired by internationally acclaimed parks.

The initial concept involved four distinct features – a seaside food and beverage area, water gardens, as well as a beach and coastal groves spanning some 1.5km of shoreline.

“This will be the best public recreation project after Penang City Park,” Jagdeep said in an interview.

In the aftermath of the racial riots of May 13, 1969, the 16ha Penang City Park (then called Youth Park) was conceptualised a year later and completed in 1972.

In the Penang Monthly, a periodical published by the state’s policy think-tank Penang Institute, Datuk Anwar Fazal wrote last year that Youth Park was conceived after the race riots because “young people should have more places to play as the streets were not so safe”.

Anwar, who was then the private secretary of ex-chief minister, the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, recalled that when he put forth initial plans for the Youth Park, the riots were still fresh on everyone’s minds.

So, Youth Park was planned as a way to celebrate Malaysia’s multi-cultural heritage, he wrote.

“I wanted to make it not only inter-generational, but also with a diversity of activities and adventures while keeping the green setting,” he wrote.

Over the decades, Penang City Park never stopped growing. More facilities were installed, with the latest being graffiti walls for youths to express themselves through art.

Jagdeep said it was “ironic that another new public domain was being created to mark a big chapter in Penang’s history”.

“We want Penangites to know how well we are doing now at the governmental level. The last 10 years, we suffered problems dealing with the federal government.

“The state is heading for better times and we will let Gurney Wharf show it.

“There are few places that mean as much to Penangites as Gurney Drive. We all grew up loving the place as a beautiful beach over 40 years ago and then as a hawker food and shopping paradise.

“The present Gurney Drive itself is on reclaimed land and with the new reclamation, we will make it something to be proud of,” he said.

The developer, Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd, said in a statement that the reclamation of the Gurney Drive foreshore was 40% complete and foresees that it would be completed as scheduled by the end of this year.

Source: TheStar.com.my

Another proposed affordable housing development by PLB Land Sdn. Bhd. at Paya Terubong. Located along Tingkat Paya Terubong 5, just a stone’s throw away from Eco Terraces luxury condominium by Eco World. It is approximately 10km away from Penang International Airport and Penang Bridge.

This development will feature 2 blocks of 35-storey condominium with a total of 800 affordable residential unit, 400 units in each block.

This is still pending for approval. More details to be available upon project launch.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing
• Full list of affordable housing in Penang

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Paya Terubong
Property Type : Affordable Housing
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 800
Indicative Price: RM300,000
Developer : PLB Land Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map:

The government should consider using a certain portion of taxes collected from the rakyat to set up a specific fund for housing purposes.

Penang Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo proposed that the money from the fund could be used for efforts such as building more affordable homes.

“When we collect taxes, it goes into a common trust fund which the government will use for the public such as for education, transportation and medical facilities,” he said.

He added that if there was a specific fund for housing, the money could be used to address issues related to housing, which would in turn benefit the people.

He added that having such a fund would also help provide allocation for housing-related matters in each state.

“The move will also ensure that the states will not be sidelined when it comes to housing for the people, like what Penang has experienced over the past 10 years,” Jagdeep said.

Source: TheStar.com.my

Projects by Iconic Group

Datuk Tan Kean Tet, the chairman of Penang-based property developer Iconic Group Sdn Bhd, is acquiring a substantial stake in Sanbumi Holdings Bhd

Sanbumi, in a filing with Bursa Malaysia, said the company had entered into a conditional share subscription agreement with Tan for the placement of 22.6 million new shares at 17.3 sen each.

Tan, 56, will pay RM3.9mil for the shares, which will increase his stake in the company from 1.39% to 10.36%.

“The company will also be able to tap and leverage on Tan’s experience in property development as well as hotel development and management,” Sanbumi said.

Tan ventured into property development via the incorporation of Iconic in 2011 and subsequently expanded the business of Iconic into the hospitality sector in 2016.

The Iconic group has completed property development projects worth about RM600mil in gross sales value.

It owns the four-star Iconic Hotel in Juru, Seberang Prai.

Sanbumi Holdings Bhd has proposed two mixed development projects in Penang mainland, offering a mix of serviced residences and shop offices.

Proposed and current development projects by Iconic Group

Proposed developments by Sanbumi Holdings Bhd.

Source: TheStar.com.my