PRESS STATEMENT Overdevelopment along the entire North Coast of Penang

PRESS STATEMENT

Overdevelopment along the entire North Coast of Penang

There will be a Public Forum on Saturday, 17 April 2010 from 8.30pm to 11.00pm at the Paradise Sandy Beach Hotel to highlight Over Development and apparent Unplanned Development along Penang’s North Coast from Tg Tkong to Teluk Bahang.

The Press is invited to attend and hear what residents and NGO’s have to say about the mushrooming of high rise buildings, the savage hill cutting and spoiling of the beaches in Tanjong Bunga and Batu Ferringhi. It is obvious that the traffic situation is going from bad to worse and jointly we need to reflect and raise awareness about what can be done to preserve our environment and maintain a liveable community along the coast. State Government officials will be invited, not to give speeches but listen to the people. One exception, the ADUN for Tanjong Bunga, Y.B. Teh, will give the opening address.

Uncontrolled development has become a major concern initially to Tanjong Bunga and Tanjong Tokong residents but now even more to those living in Batu Ferringhi. They have recently created their own RA, the Batu Ferringhi Resident’s Association (BFRA) and have an active blogsite. In fact, all Penang residents who used to enjoy a ‘day out on the beach’ will be affected. Moreover, the trend toward Over & Uncontrolled development is likely to happen in the same manner in other districts of the State.

The main issues that will be highlighted and discussed at the Saturday night Forum are:

1. Zoning issues: Tanjong Bunga must be in the Secondary Development Corridor and deliberate but secret and illegal changes must be set right.
2. Traffic and other Infrastructure cannot cope, despite vague promises.
3. Beach encroachment, illegal reclamations – who benefits?
4. Dangerous Hill development on Class III & IV slopes – disasters in waiting
5. The Importance of the Local Plan in the proper development of Penang.

The Forum will point out the many inconsistencies of the past and current State governments relating to limits on density, construction projects on very steep hills and other uncontrolled developments. The eventual effects of such overdevelopment if not quickly resolved will be serious and far-reaching.

***

Organised by Tanjong Bunga & Batu Ferringhi Residents’ Associations

Blogs: http://tanjongbunga.blogspot.com or http://bfrapenang.blogspot.com