Non-profit group, turtle museum's move to replacement sites delayed

Project that was to be done by December 2023 held up after contractor went bust

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Non-profit organisation Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) and the Live Turtle Museum in Lorong Chencharu in Yishun have yet to move into their replacement sites after works were delayed when the contractor of the project went bust.

The 1.2ha area, adjacent to HomeTeamNS Khatib, was supposed to be completed by December 2023. But the contractor, Double-Trans, ran into financial difficulties and ceased operations in August 2023, the Housing Board said on June 12 in response to The Straits Times’ queries.

HDB appointed a new contractor, Chye Joo Construction, to take over the project earlier in 2024. The preparation work for GUI’s replacement site was completed in end-April, while the Live Turtle Museum’s site was completed on June 11, it said.

HDB said it has been in touch with the organisations to initiate the handover of the sites, but GUI has not received final approval from the authorities to begin construction works on the replacement site. Works on the Live Turtle Museum were also stalled as it is a sub-tenant of GUI.

“In the meantime, HDB will continue to maintain the sites until GUI and Live Turtle Museum are ready to take over their replacement sites,” it said.

GUI, which is known for its focus on sustainability and community building, and the Live Turtle Museum have to vacate their current premises in Lorong Chencharu to make way for new developments in the area.

Their tenancies, which were due to expire in June 2023, have been extended to September 2024, they told ST.