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At a visit to Serangoon North Neighbourhood
Centre today, Minister of State for National Development, Ms Grace Fu
announced the following measures to help HDB retailers:- |
(a) Selection of 14 sites in HDB estates for
pilot implementation under the Revitalisation of Shops (ROS) Scheme;
(b) Implementation of Batch 3 Restructuring Programme for Shops (RPS)
for shop tenants at 11 HDB Blocks, and
(c) Lower charges for HDB shop lessees / tenants who require upgrading
of the electrical loading for their premises. |
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ROS & Heartland Retail Programme |
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Minister of State, Ms Grace Fu, announced in
Parliament in Mar 2007 that HDB and SPRING Singapore would introduce
measures to enhance the vibrancy and competitiveness of HDB shops, so as
to better serve the residents' needs. |
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Under the ROS Scheme and Heartland Retail
Programme, HDB and SPRING would provide assistance if HDB retailers or
the local Merchants’ Associations (MAs) are keen to organize themselves
and take the lead to drive the revitalization efforts. Details of the
schemes are attached at ANNEX A1. |
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When applications for the ROS closed on 30
Sep 2007, HDB had received a total of 19 applications for the scheme. Of
these, 14 sites have been chosen to be in the pilot batch. A list of the
14 selected sites is attached at ANNEX A2. |
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To facilitate the implementation of the ROS
and Heartland Retail Programme, a Working Committee comprising
Grassroots Leaders, representatives from the Merchants' Associations and
officers from Town Council, HDB and SPRING Singapore will be formed for
each of the 14 sites. The Committee will map out the implementation
plans of these assistance measures with each MA. |
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HDB and SPRING will review the pilot project
after 1-year to see if the schemes can be extended to other sites. |
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SPRING Singapore, which is facilitating the
Heartland Retail Programme, is currently working with the Merchants'
Associations of the interested sites on the applications. SPRING
Singapore aims to finalise the sites for implementation of the Heartland
Retail Programme by 1Q08. |
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RPS Batch 3 |
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The RPS, first announced in Mar 2005, is to
assist tenants of HDB shops located in areas with an over-supply of
shops and with poor business, to retire from business or to restructure
and upgrade their business operations. HDB has successfully implemented
two batches of RPS. |
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A third batch comprising 19 blocks was
announced for Batch 3 of the RPS on 23 Jul 2007. The background on RPS
and features of Batch 3 of the RPS is attached at ANNEX B1. |
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As at 22 Oct 2007, tenants at 11 blocks
submitted their agreement letter and met the criteria under RPS Batch 3. |
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Those who wish to give up their business
will receive an ex gratia payment of $60,000 if they are eligible and
those who intend to continue in business but need to be regrouped will
be given a removal allowance of $10,000. These tenants will be given 6
months till 13 May 2008 to vacate their shops. A listing of the 11
blocks is attached at ANNEX B2. |
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With the implementation of 3 batches of RPS,
the majority of tenants who are not doing well due to excess supply of
shops and desire to discontinue their businesses have already done so.
Hence, the RPS will be discontinued after Batch 3. |
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Free or Lower Electrical Upgrading
Charges for HDB Shops |
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Most older HDB shops were built with
electrical loads lower than current norms. Over time, the electrical
load requirements in shops have increased with the proliferation of
air-conditioning, more lighting and other electrical appliances. |
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Currently, the charges for electrical
upgrading for shop tenants and shop owners are $45 per amp and $85 per
amp respectively. From 14 Nov 2007, electrical upgrading up to 1 phase
60 amp will be free for tenants while shop owners will pay the revised
charge of $45 per amp. A summary of the changes is shown at ANNEX C. |
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The lower charges/free upgrading will
benefit about 1,200 owners and 1,300 tenants of HDB shops with an
existing electrical supply of less than 1 phase 60 amps. |
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With the revised electrical upgrading
charges, these shop owners can expect to save about $1,600 and tenants
about $1,800, when they upgrade the electrical supply at their premises.
The entire exercise is expected to cost HDB up to $4 million. |
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Enquiries |
For enquiries, HDB shop owners and tenants
can call:
- HDB Commercial Properties toll-free line: 1800-866
3073
- SPRING Singapore: 6898 1800 |
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More..... |
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Source:
www.hdb.gov.sg Press Release 14 Nov
2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Sun 18 November 2007
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