Coastal protection measures could put nature spots at risk

Berlayer Creek mangroves, Sentosa's Tanjong Rimau among sites flagged

- Shabana Begum

As the Republic takes steps to arm its south-east coastline against rising seas with coastal barriers and tidal gates, the impact of their future construction on fragile habitats is causing some concern.

Nature groups conveyed their feedback to PUB before the national water agency released its coastal protection plans for the Greater Southern Waterfront and Changi in end-August.

These concerns will be taken into account in environmental impact studies to be carried out over the next couple of years before construction begins in the 2030s.

The protection measures will include bridge-like coastal barriers, a first for Singapore, to protect the Greater Southern Waterfront precinct from storm surges.

Nature experts have identified some habitats that are likely to be affected by construction and changes to water flow. They include Serapong Reef and Tanjong Rimau on Sentosa, and the mangroves of Berlayer Creek in Labrador and Changi Creek.

Three coastal barriers are expected to connect the western and eastern ends of Sentosa to the mainland. Each comprises a series of gates across the water channels that will remain open to allow vessels to pass.

Two of the coastal barriers are expected to link mainland Singapore, around Tanjong Pagar Terminal, to Pulau Brani, and from Brani to the north-west coast of Sentosa.

Their design will be further refined in the next couple of years.

Mr Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of the Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, is concerned that the barrier across Brani and Sentosa would cut through Serapong Reef, which runs along the north-west coast of the resort island.

Sediment washed into the sea or from construction works could settle on the corals, potentially smothering parts of the reef. With water flow confined through the barrier's gates, water movement across the channel may change, he noted.