Update for TBRA – 1 July 2012

Things are happening in Penang. Change is in the air. One of our members recently suggested a rate-payers strike to show discontent with the way MPPP listens more to developers than to local residents. And there is more, much more!

Housing.  A report by the Consumers’ Association of Penang: “CAP: Only the rich can afford Penang homes” (Star, 6 June) led to many other articles debating whether there was shortage of housing or not? There are so many un-occupied units. Do foreigners buy condo’s to live or speculate? Do developers have no choice but to build on hillsides because there is a shortage of land and housing on Penang Island or are they only building there to sell to speculators?

Uphill battle for residents

Penang politicians say that the hills are alive with the sound of music but angry residents in Tanjung Bungah think the hills are dying and their once serene suburb has become unlivable.

By Joceline Tan  Sunday July 1, 2012 http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2012/7/1/columnists/joceline/11553488&sec=joceline

(Also see a quick, same-day, reply from the Penang Chief Minister  http://limguaneng.com/index.php/2012/07/01/hill-development-projects-putting-the-record-straight-from-stars-dishonest-efforts-to-rewrite-history-encn/)

THE rugged-looking Teh Yee Cheu, assemblyman for Tanjung Bungah, used to be dubbed the “bicycle YB” because he had once cycled to a Penang Legislative Assembly sitting. His DAP bosses did not quite approve of it but he received a lot of publicity from the media and went from an unknown to being noticed.
But these days, Teh’s name is more synonymous with the “dying hills” in his constituency. The hills of Tanjung Bungah have become a prickly issue in Penang politics and Teh is feeling the heat.

The DAP politician has been under immense pressure from his constituents to act on their complaints about the string of development projects coming up in Tanjung Bungah’s hilly terrain. Hillslope development and its environmental costs have become the No. 1 issue in this upmarket coastal strip.

Stolen charm: The once scenic coastline of Tanjung Bungah now resembles a concrete fortress and the fear is that things will get worse because there are more projects in the pipeline.
 

Tanjung Bungah, for those who are not from Penang, is an affluent residential belt on the island’s northeast. It occupies a narrow stretch of land with the hills on one side and the sea on the other. It is a much sought-after location and as land grew more scarce, the trend has been towards building high-rise and high-end apartments on hill slopes.

Hill 'killed' by development

By SHARANJIT SINGH AND LOOI SUE CHERN
http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/hill-killed-by-development-1.96192

SHOCKING: DAP assemblyman takes reporters to see construction site above the 75m safety zone

GEORGE TOWN: THE sight at the top of a hill just behind the wet market at Mount Erskine is shocking to say the least.

Gone are the trees and the highest point has been levelled. The hilltop is littered with granite rock which was blasted and dug out of the ground in preparation for the construction of posh apartments and villas.

The project was abandoned in the early 1990s but was revived two years ago with work now in full swing. Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu took the New Straits Times to see how the hill "was being killed" with little or no monitoring of what was going on.

Gong Xi Fa Cai ! Past and Upcoming Events

TBRA wishes all its members and friends Gong Xi Fa Cai !


TBRA Car Sticker


Many events have taken place over the past few months, particularly in December. Before we brief you, PLEASE note 2 important dates !

• You are invited to the Official Launch of the 'Pearl Hill View Point Park' on Tuesday 31st January from 5.30pm to 6.30pm (top of the hill)


• Come and learn how to assess a Local Plan on Saturday, 11 Febr. 4-6pm (Straits Regency meeting room, Chee Seng Gardens)

Now chronologically, here is a summary of what your Association did in December:

• On 3 December, Lemba Permai residents took to the street in protest against two 32 storey blocks planned for their quiet low-rise residential neighbourhood. (see TBRA blogsite for pictures and story)


• Several TBRA Committee members attended the full day Penang Forum on 18 December.


• On that same Sunday another “gotong royong” took place on Pearl Hill.


• Earlier in the month, the Dalat School students (and parents) contributed to the improvement and development of the Park with clearing, making paths, carrying & laying bricks for more permanent concrete paths, planting trees, etc. TBRA is grateful to them.


• We have printed a TBRA car sticker – If you promise to stick it in your car, pick one up at the Esso station, from Andrew at Straits Mini Market or from any Committee member you know. (See picture above)
  

“Pearl Hill View Point Park”

On 27 December 2011 there was a Dialogue with MPPP on this park. TBRA and ADUN YB Teh have long been advocating for this state land to be gazetted as public. The State government agrees now that the 20 acre hilltop is a Public Park. This was confirmed on 16 Jan. 2012 when a Committee was appointed to see to the park’s development and maintenance. The Morning Walkers, JKKK, the Tua Pek Kong Temple, Dalat School and TBRA are on the Committee. MPPP- Pengarah Akbar (Jabatan Rekreasi, Pelancongan & Perhubungan Antarabangsa) is advisor and counterpart. Two councillors (YB Yee Cheu Teh and YB Liew Chin Tong) are also advisors. The Committee is set up in accordance with the LA21 (Local Agenda 21)


Official Launch of the PHVPP. A Greener, Cleaner, Safer Park

Tuesday, 31st January 2012 from 5-30pm-6-30pm at the landing area at the base of the Pearl Hill View Point Park, near the Temple. There will be banners, food and drinks. Please come so MPPP can see Tanjong Bunga really needs and welcomes this Park. All are invited.


Training on how to read and understand a Local Plan

Remember the Structure Plan, the Primary and Secondary Corridor issues?

If we want to have a say in what our town will look like 10 years from now, we need to be ready to comment on the Local Plan as soon as it becomes available for viewing. Most likely the time for giving comments will be limited so we had better start preparing now. (For instance right now the draft Special Area Plan (SAP) for the Penang Botanic Gardens - with 3 more concrete structures…- is only available for less than a month.)

A well-known architect and town planner (with a soft spot for Tg Bunga) is willing to donate his time to teach TBRA how to read a sample Local Plan and we are jumping on the occasion.

• Date: 11 February, Saturday afternoon, TBRA invites its members to be trained, 4 to 6 pm.
  
• Venue: Straits Regency Condo meeting room (1st floor) top of Chee Seng Gardens.

Hope to see many of you then.

TBRA Secretary

Lemba Permai Residents took to the street on 3 December

Lorong Lembah Permai Empat 'Street Dialogue' of 03.12.2011

They were angry about new plans by Sri Setia developer (Boon Siew) who now proposes building two apartment blocks 32 stories high & one apartment block 9 stories high at ‘Permai Village’, in Tanjong Bunga (directly behind Lorong Lembah Permai 4) and adjacent to Nineteen, Permai Village and 2Permai new houses. Total additional apartment units would be over 500.
The new plans have not yet been approved and quite a number of residents went to express their opposition to the plans at a Council meeting.

They have the following concerns:

• The developers proposed additional units are way too excessive in number.


• The proposed apartment blocks are far too high for an area that was originally zoned for single storey houses.


• The addition of thousands of vehicles will add to local traffic jams & density – already at bursting point.


• The infrastructure cannot support these additional numbers. Parking will definitely spill over into neighboring streets.


• A dead-end road in a residential area of LLP4 has been opened-up to traffic in readiness to accommodate anticipated high volumes of construction & apartment traffic.


• The flow of Sungai Kelian on the proposed site has been altered; sections of the river have been filled-in, creating stagnant pools, a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Some of the residents were not notified of the Objection Hearing although it is a legal requirement.

• Despite requests to MPPP President for a dialogue regarding the objections, no response has been received sofar.

This proposed change of plans by Boon Siew will affect residents every day; it will also affect those who bought houses in Permai Village under original plans (false promises). So, find out more about this development, share our concerns & join our protest. With support from TBRA and our local ADUN there was an excellent turn-out on 3 December 2011.

Rubbish has been used as back-fill at the site

Proposed change of plan by Sri Setia

Sungai Kelian back-fill & water seepage

Danger of landslides in Tanjong Bunga

On Saturday, 27 Aug., YB Teh Yee Cheu gave a press conference at Solok Tan Jit Seng, Tanjung Bunga. As always and despite the rain, many reporters had gathered to hear him. Contrary to other State officials, Assemblyman Teh is known to speak his mind and stand up for our environment and object to the over-development in Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi.

This time he chose a place with dangerous erosion to tell the press about new studies that show how Penang is one of 3 States considered to be at high risk for landslides. He emphasized that MPPP does not have the geo-technical knowledge to judge the hazards of construction on steep hill slopes; that therefore MPPP should be accountable for any future disaster that might strike in locations where it had approved projects.

Another speaker, Professor Dr Jimmy Lim, a well-known KL architect, pointed at the concrete pillars designed to protect the dug-out hillside below and said that modern technology would never choose concrete pilings in a place like this where solid granite bedrock can be used. The Pearl Hill Townhouses just 100 meters directly above the excavated cliff looked dangerously exposed.

TBRA has protested against the Solok Tan Jit Seng development (23 three-storey linkhouses) long before it was approved. After protracted debate, the Penang Planning Appeals Board judged a geo-tech study sufficient and a new developer was allowed to begin construction. So, since this project has been approved, one can only hope for the best. Meanwhile, MPPP as the endorser, must take full responsibility for possible mishaps.

Professor Lim also commented on the incredible ‘development’ allowed on the North Coast. While TBRA and the Batu Ferringhi Residents’ Association (BFRA) have long protested and are fully aware of the many hazards associated with the dozen or more projects along the road to Batu Ferringhi, it was interesting to hear the views of an outsider. Professor Lim said the coastal road had been built by the British for minimal traffic at the time; it was never meant to accommodate the thousands of cars and busses plying that road now.

“Basically”, he said, “it is a cul de sac, a dead-end road, meaning all who go down, use the same road to come back. (Yes, technically, they can return via Balik Pulau, but who would come back that way after a dinner in Batu Ferringhi? No-one, right ? ) So, as a cul de sac, one has to apply the simple density rules that apply in such cases. By adding on 100 townhouses here and five high-rise buildings there, the colonial-built road now is way over capacity. It is irresponsible and beyond belief that still more construction is allowed.”

George Aeria, the TBRA chairman, applauded YB Teh’s initiative to highlight the new studies showing the dangers of landslides in Penang and two other States. He reminded the reporters of TBRA’s calls to the State government to put an immediate stop to all projects on Class III and IV hill slope gradients and end any further approvals of development projects on steep slopes. He also recalled how TBRA had pleaded with successive authorities to disapprove the Tan Jit Seng construction and how residents had held a peaceful but massive protest on the very place of this press conference (see coffee party video part 1 and part 2). Despite all this, it had been approved and construction is underway– MPPP now must ensure intensive slope maintenance and monitoring and take full responsibility for any disaster that might strike.

Elky for TBRA blogsite

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The Penang public just wants its hills preserved, guarded and cared for; we look to our state government to ensure that self-serving, profit-driven entrepreneurs take their ill-conceived plans elsewhere. Our future and the future of our children cannot be left in the hands of developers.

Penang Forum Steering Committee
27 August 2011

Also see NST article "Nod based on flawed methods," 29-8-2011 with picture

Higher densities despite the Penang Structure Plan 2020

By Aliran, on 8 June 2011

email

print

Digg Digg

The Steering Committee of the Penang Forum is deeply disappointed and concerned that the Penang State Government has recently obtained an order from the High Court to strike out a court application made by the Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) for legal clarification on whether Tanjung Bungah falls within the secondary or primary corridor in the Penang Structure Plan.

We are of the view that the State Government should have done the honourable thing to allow the Court to decide on the substantive issue of the case.

The State Government is fully aware of the fears and grievances of the residents of Tanjung Bungah over the controversial modification of the sketch map in the Structure Plan as it had relocated Tanjung Bungah from the secondary development corridor (with a density limit of 15 units per acre) to the primary corridor (which allows a much higher density limit of 30 units per acre).

The amendment was only made to the sketch map and it was not re-publicised and re-exhibited before it was gazetted in 2007. The public did not have the opportunity to object to the amended sketch map. The amendment and inconsistencies with the written texts and the rationale in the Structure Plan was only discovered by TBRA in 2009.

After a protracted debate between the State and TBRA over the questionable amendment, TBRA was eventually told by the State to take the matter to court for a judicial decision.

We are therefore extremely disappointed that the State Government had thereafter applied to strike out the application by TBRA for a court declaration on a purely technical point.

We urge the State Government to act in good faith, by reviewing the Penang Structure Plan 2020 immediately, and to rectify the discrepancy in the sketch map in accordance with the entire text of the Structure Plan.

We also urge the State Government to stop allowing higher densities in development projects as they contradict those in the existing Structure Plan.

We have been informed that a more detailed draft Local Plan for Penang Island has been completed since 2008 and we call upon the State to publish and circulate the draft Local Plan for public feedback as soon as possible.

We fully support the State Government’s efforts to legislate the Freedom of Information Act and laud its recent exhibition of the Special Area Plan for George Town to obtain public feedback.

We hope that the State Government would give the residents of Penang an opportunity to engage with the State and to offer their views and opinions on planning and development proposals which would no doubt affect every resident living in Penang.

Ms Lim Kah Cheng & Dr Francis Loh
(on behalf of the Penang Forum Steering Committee)

For a Greener Tanjong Bunga

On 2 April, 50 Tacoma trees were planted by YB Yee Cheu Teh, ADUN for Tg Bunga, NGO Pantai (Permatang Pasir Pulau Pinang) and TBRA.

It was a symbolic gesture to return some more greenery to our township which has lost so many trees due to savage cutting on hillsides and to make space for highrises. It was also a move to safeguard public access to the beaches.

The first 20 trees were plated in front of Coastal Towers with residents and their children chipping in and TBRA talking to the press about the hundreds of trees chopped by Surin Bolton for their two tower buildings rising nextdoor. A sudden burst of rain ensured that the trees got their first welcome on the site.

The rain did not deter the planters from moving on to the next site: the river bank next to Infinity. There is a long public path leading to the sea between the river and the towering Infinity complex. Just today, workers had started building steps down to the beach. The trees were planted along the path. People recalled how the river bank was quite gentle and pleasant with at least 4 huge raintrees. All were cut down and Infinity raised the bank to a level path with a very steep drop on the river edge. The steepness now is the excuse for a 5 foot fence with three ugly strands of barbed wire on top; the excuse is "safety". Interesting, isn't it, when they first created the danger.

The last 10 Tacoma trees were planted across the river, close to the sea in front of Cara Vista and Leisure Cove. There is still a wide open public area there where YB Teh hopes to install a sports field. To preserve the sandy area for the sports and dissuade would-be squatters, hundreds of coconut trees were planted as well."

Update for TBRA Aug 2010

Dear Members and Friends of TBRA, Aug.2010

Here is an update on what your Association has been doing since the AGM.

Sea crying Orange alert

Remember 22 June? It was the day that the sea along the North Coast became orange! It had rained very heavily the days before and the island was soaked. Along the road to Batu Ferringhi, lots of the mud washed down the cut slopes left unprotected from the many ‘developments’ there. One heavy rain and the road risks becoming impassable because of mudslides. And it’s the only road we have.

Alerted by a member, TBRA immediately sent SMS and email messages to MPPP asking them to clear and monitor and to the CM & co reminding them that this would not be happening if approvals for construction had been denied. Denuded steep hillsides will suffer erosion, landslides may result, roads get flooded, and the sea has to swallow all that mud and debris. No wonder it protested: orange alert.

Our Adun YB Teh responded promptly saying… “The best solution is to totally ban development on all hill slopes along the Tanjong Tokong-Tanjong Bunga-Batu Ferringhi-Teluk Bahang " eco-sensitive tourism area and also make sure Tanjong Bunga be returned its substantive status as ‘Tanjong Bunga-Teluk Bahang Secondary Corridor’ in the Penang Structure Plan which was gazetted in June 2007 and state it very clearly in the Local Plan (Bahagian Pulau).”

Ongoing struggle re Structure Plan.

Launch of Tanjong Bunga Coastal Park

Press Release

May 31 2010

For immediate release

Launch of Tanjong Bunga Coastal Park

.....“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot”.....

‘Big Yellow Taxi’ by Joni Mitchell ...singer/songwriter

This seems the unfortunate state of affairs Tanjong Bunga Residents find themselves in again and again! The people have requested on multiple occasions for the preservation of a coastal park/safe area as a nature preserve, for recreational purposes, for musical weekends of jazz and other multi-use purpose for the residents of Tanjong Bunga and the larger Penang community.....instead of more unoccupied high rises added to our everyday landscape!

It seems our local government is sensitive to the issues raised by her people and we will get a coastal park in Tanjong Bunga! Therefore, it is with great pleasure and sincere appreciation that Tanjong Bunga Residents Association invites the Press and other interested social media to observe Tanjong Bunga residents with YB Teh, initiate the soft launch of Tanjong Bunga Coastal Park, near the Cove Condominium on Saturday, 5 June 2010 at 10 am.

All Press and Social Media are invited. Please come and commemorate our delight for ‘Local Residents in Partnership with our Local Government’ putting our wishes first and our dreams for a Coastal Park as a priority over illegal and unwanted development.

Purpose: Launch of Tanjong Bunga Coastal Park

Date: Saturday, 5 June 2010

Time: 10.00 am

Place: Between Cove Condominium entrance and old ‘Country Club’ site on Jalan Tanjong Bunga (opposite Tanjong Bunga Hawker Center)

Refreshments: courtesy Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Penang

Forum Report: Overdevelopment along the north coast of Penang.

Forum Report: Overdevelopment along the north coast of Penang.

Date: 17 April 2010 at Paradise Sandy Beach Hotel, Tanjung Bunga.

Organised by Tanjung Bunga RA (TBRA) and Batu Ferringhi RA (BFRA)

It was full house in the meeting room of the Paradise Sandy Beach Hotel on a Saturday night (despite a thunderstorm and bad traffic) where close to 150 people attended this public forum organized by the TBRA and the BFRA. About 40 of the attendees were MM2H residents.

The Forum was opened by Dr YK Leong (TBRA member) giving an overview of the Penang north coast district. This narrow strip of land consists of 4 small townships Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bunga, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang. There is relatively little flat land and only one access road from Tg Bunga to Teluk Bahang.

George Aeria (TBRA President) presented the major issues affecting the Tanjung Bunga residents.

· Do you know that Tanjung Bunga has been secretly reclassified from a Secondary Development Corridor to a Primary Development Corridor thereby increasing its housing units per acre to 15 from 75?

· Do you know that Tanjung Bunga has disappeared from the Penang Structure Plan Map and that Tanjung Tokong’s boundary has been extended up to Mar Vista?

Tanjung Bunga was gazetted as a Secondary Development Corridor in the Penang Structure Plan (2005-2020) in June 2007. A Secondary Corridor has a maximum permissible density of 15 housing units per acre. In Feb 2007, the State Govt (under the direction of someone in high office from the previous state government) changed the Penang Structure map for Tg Bunga from a Secondary Development Corridor to a Primary Development Corridor without following legal procedures. A Primary Corridor has a maximum density of 75 housing units per acre. This was done without public consultation and review contrary to the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. Further, Tg. Bunga has disappeared from the Penang Structure Plan map and Tg Tokong’s boundary has been extended up to Mar Vista.

The TBRA has made several attempts with the present state government to reclassify back Tg Bunga to a Secondary Development Corridor. It has met with silence and limited response.

· Do you know that the only remaining state land (Plot B) in Tg Bunga (beside the Penang Swimming Club and The Cove where Tanjung Club used to be) has been converted to TOL (Temporary Occupation License) land. This is the only remaining state land in Tg. Bunga where the public has free access to the beach.

· Do you know that a private developer has proposed a marina and a 41-storey condo to be build on Plot B?

The TBRA has urged the state to preserve Plot B for public use and to make it into a coastal park but there is no commitment from the state.

Picture: Plot B in 2001, before the reclamation reached today's height and became known as the "Sore Thumb," and before the arrival of the 4-block, 42-storey, The Cove condos. (image credit)

Mr Low Swee Heong (a member of Penang Traffic Council) said JPJ data showed that there are more vehicles than people in Penang (1.75mil vehicles for 1.58 mil population) in 2009. The average vehicle registration growth for Penang is 9.5% per year making it the highest in the country. Swee Heong presented concerns of traffic congestion and pollution with the overdevelopment of the north coast district. There are grave concerns on emergency response services as the only accessible road to Batu Ferringhi is badly congested and jammed during holidays and weekends.

Our Declaration from April 17 Forum on Overdevelopment

FORUM DECLARATION

BY TANJONG BUNGA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (TBRA), BATU FERRINGHI RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (BFRA)
& FORUM PARTICIPANTS

We, the Tanjong Bunga Residents’ Association (TBRA), the Batu Ferringhi Resident’s Association (BFRA) & all participants of the Forum entitled “Overdevelopment on the North Coast” held on 17^th April 2010 at the Paradise Sandy Beach Hotel in Tanjong Bunga, do hereby declare that:

1. the border of Tanjong Bunga starts from Jalan Gajah and ends just before the Desa Mar Vista Resort;
2. Tanjong Bunga is in the Secondary Corridor and the diagram shown in the published State Structure Plan was wrongfully amended by the previous State Government to show Tanjong Bunga within the Primary Corridor; the diagram is to be considered null & void since it was changed secretly by the previous State Government via the then CM without following legal procedures;
3. the text in the State Structure Plan and the legend of the diagram clearly state that Tanjong Bunga is in the Secondary Corridor and take precedence over the changed diagram;
4. the present State Government has the legal authority and the moral obligation to rectify this glaring anomaly and to take all necessary measures to ensure that Tanjong Bunga remains in the Secondary Corridor;
5. the soon to be released State Local Plan must incorporate and clearly show Tanjong Bunga to be within the Secondary Corridor zone, which sets strict limits & requirements on all development projects;
6. all approved projects which have not commenced yet, are to be reviewed, esp. in terms of density, to be in line with Secondary Corridor requirements;
7. all future development projects in Tanjong Bunga & Batu Ferringhi must comply and not exceed the density guidelines of the Secondary Corridor;
8. all current and future proposed development projects in Tanjong Bunga & Batu Ferringhi must take into account the serious infrastructure limitations currently faced in these two areas;
9. that NO FURTHER approvals be granted henceforth for all dangerous hill slope development projects on Class III & Class IV hill slopes in Tanjong Bunga & Batu Ferringhi;
10. that all future development projects MUST NOT cause any environmental degradation such as soil erosion that leads to sea & beach pollution, thus severely affecting our local recreational use of beach & open space, the tourism industry & the MM2H programme;
11. that there be no land reclamation along the North Coast until and unless a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) is undertaken and approved by ad-hoc panel of experts (not only by the State Government or MPPP);
12. that at least two Public Recreational Parks be created for easy access by all: one on the top of Pearl Hill and the other on the rock pile, the so-called Sore Thumb, next to the Penang Swimming Club; plans for both these Public Parks have been submitted for gazetting.

We make the above Declaration as concerned citizens and residents of Penang and call upon our State Government to take all measures necessary to implement the above points in the public interest.

By TBRA, BFRA & FORUM PARTICIPANTS

Tanjong Bunga, 17 April 2010

TBRA's 4th Annual General Meeting 2010

4th Annual General Meeting 2010
NOTICE & INVITATION

The Tanjong Bunga Residents’ Association (TBRA) is pleased to invite you to the AGM

Date: Saturday, 24 April 2010
Time: 3 pm Place: Meeting Room, Tanjong Bunga Community Hall (above the wet market).

Agenda

1. Address by George Aeria, chairperson TBRA
2. Approve Minutes of 3rd AGM, 18 April 2009*
3. Adopt Annual Report 2009 *
4. Adopt Audited Statement of Accounts, Treasurer TBRA*
5. Take note of the 2009 resolution being forwarded to ROS*
6. Consider any other business
   
7. Discuss matters of general interest
8. Closing address & refreshments

Your attendance will be much appreciated. As you know, every AGM needs to have a quorum of at least 20 members. Please make sure we reach that quorum by coming to support your Association.

Secr. TBRA

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

Join our forum April 17: North Coast Over Development

Worried by over-development in Tanjong Bunga, Batu Ferringhi, and more? Come to our North Coast forum. Entrance is for free, but come with an opinion.

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time: 8:30-11pm
Place: Paradise Sandy Beach Hotel, Tajung Bungah

Flower mural to fight unlawful planning

Welcome to the Flower Cape !

By now everybody will have seen the huge mural painted on the wall across from the Tanjong Bunga Hotel. It was not just done because someone thought the wall was ugly and a Welcome would be nice. It is a message with flowers (bunga) to remind the State government that this is where Tanjong Bunga starts, not at Mar Vista !

Together with our State Assembly man, YB Teh Yee Cheu, TBRA thought it had to remind the government and the MPPP that the official boundaries of Tanjong Bunga town start from Jalan Gajah (near the mural) and finish at the Mar Vista Resort whose official address is 1 Jalan Batu Ferringhi. Why would they not know? Why would they want to forget? Here is the story in brief.

When deciding on zoning the State, the previous government, by right, considered Tanjong Bunga to be a tourist zone and a residential area and placed it in the Secondary Development Corridor. So the wording of the 2005 Structure Plan put Tanjong Bunga into a green zone.

When the Structure Plan was printed, the wording was still there but the diagrams illustrating the zones had been changed from green to orange. That meant Primary Development Corridor. That meant that by one stroke of a colouring pencil, the permissible density of our town had changed, allowing for all kinds of high rises and commercial buildings. Believe it or not, by the colouring, Tanjong Bunga starts at Mar Vista. And since Mar Vista is in Batu Ferringhi, Tanjong Bunga has been wiped off the map. It ceased to exist.

TBRA has protested against this for years, first nicely, then by way of lawyers’ letters and via top level meetings. Nothing doing. The State government, the MPPP, all refused to listen. So this flower mural was yet one other attempt to get our point across. In the last meeting with the head of Planning, TBRA asked if any of the staff remembered how the colouring happened. After some hesitation, they said that it was the former CM, Koh Tsu Koon himself, who personally instructed the staff to change the colour of Tanjong Bunga. Some twenty people in the room heard this, noted this and wrote it into the Minutes of that meeting.

The Minutes were sent out to all concerned starting with the very top, i.e. the current CM Lim Guan Eng, and adding that since this was an illegal act, there should be a moratorium on all further plans handed in for approval. Not until the Structure Plan diagram is corrected, should any permit be given to start constructing one more condo. The answer to date? Silence. Silence is golden, they say, but there are times when silence pays rich dividends.

Welcome to Tanjong Bunga !

A statement by Tanjong Bunga Residents' Association. March 31, 2010

How about a TBRA song? _ I gotta feeling...

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Pictorials of what's to come in BF and TB

Fancy a whole city on the hill in Batu Ferringhi that will bring more traffic? These pictures are what Ong Eu Soon's blog below is referring to.

One of the high-rise projects in Batu Feringgi (1 Island Resort)

Want to know what's coming up in Tg Bunga and Batu Ferringi?

Blogger Ong Eu Soon has put together a worrying list of developments that includes the Batu Feringgi Island Resort developments.

He started by highlighting the Penang state government's stealthy increase of density of units per acre. Perhaps not all the projects he listed qualify as receiving "final approval" under the LGE administration, but it is enough to cover our hills with concrete.

See http://eusoon.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-trend-of-change-for-penang.html

Example of his list
http://www.apartment-penang.com/2008/08/1-island-resort.html
http://www.apartment-penang.com/2008/02/island-resort.html

What's happening to the "sore thumb"?

槟收回2填海地 拟发展海滨公园

二零零九年六月二十九日 凌晨十二时三分

(槟城28日讯)槟州政府收回丹绒武雅两块面积合共约10依格的填海地，计划未来用为发展“海滨人民公园”。

面积9.5依格

两块面积分别7.5依格及2依格的填海地，与丹绒武雅俱乐部及槟城游泳公会海边相衔接；两块填地在约5年前，由丹绒俱乐部及槟州游泳公会向海索土形成，不过因为被指不符程序，而遭前朝政府勒令停工，如今面对州政府收回的命运。

彭文宝：确实用途未定案

槟州政府卫生、福利、爱心社会及环境委员会主席彭文宝行政议员受询时，证实此事。他表示，两块填海地理应归槟州政府所有，不过州政府还未决定该地段的未来发展用途。

“我们还在研究探讨未来的发展，不过其中一个可能性是将发展为人民公园；由于槟州缺乏人民公园，所以我希望能以人民利益为主，把该地发展为人民公园。”

郑雨周：将由地方政府管理

彭文宝指出，州政府已指示槟州土地局勘查上述两块地，并向政府提交报告。另外，丹绒武雅州议员郑雨周受询时指出，随着接获彭文宝通知两块填海地已收归槟州政府后，他本人也受托拟定报告书，以便将两块地转由地方政府管理。

他表示，丹绒俱乐部衔接的7.5依格填海地面的工程，已占据了长约300公尺的大片洁白沙滩。他说，该片填海地的沙石相信是从附近的山边发展计划运来，在工程进行时相信涉及数以千计的罗里运输。至于在游泳公会旁的填海地则是紧跟前者而进行。

郑雨周表示，如今两块土地已由州政府收回，之前丹绒武雅居民协会及民众提出希望填海地能发展为海滨公园，成为区内的人民休闲场地。

李翠华：利民行动

丹绒武雅居协副主席李翠华(Lee Laine)对于州政府将收回填海地的消息，表示兴奋。

她表示，若槟州政府能将两块填海地收回及发展为人民公园，那将令人感到自豪，也将是民联政府上台后的一项利民行动。她说，填海地在5年前引起关注，当时槟州游泳公会因为填海地造成风势被挡，影响参加年度风帆赛事的青少年选手出航训练，而向有关方面致函。

“当时只有一块填海在进行着，游泳公会则在紧跟其后进行填海建造出航的设施；我们也针对此事向前政府管理环境的行政议员邓章耀反映，他也向我们口头证实，两块填海计划都未获政府批准。”

通道狭窄 二填海地出入不便

丹绒俱乐部前的填海地，已形成数个小山丘，这些山丘由沙泥及石头砌成，高约40尺，极为稳固，并长了一些花草树木，比如海边松树(Casuarina)等。

郑雨周说，如果槟州政府能把该地发展为海滨公园，这些树可以现成培养。他也披露，上述两块填海地有出入不便的问题；现有两条公共通道进入填海地，即“The Cove”豪华公寓与国敦酒店之间的小巷，至于在丹绒俱乐部旁的一道政府地通道，已遭人以铁门关闭。

在The Cove公寓及国敦酒店间的小巷铺有柏油路，约有数尺宽，只能容纳一辆私家车的距离。不过，由于小巷入口处筑有人行道，导致车子不能驶入。此外，已铺上柏油路小巷的终点却长满草丛形成芭路，丛林茂盛，再加上基本设施不足，一般人望而却步，不敢进入。

他说，公众只能从国敦酒店进入洁白沙滩，该沙滩的沙幼细，未经严重污染，沙滩上也有臭豆(Buah Petai)树等。由于少人进入沙难，所以它已如同成为酒店房客及The Cove公寓的“私人沙滩”。

郑雨周在不久前，在丹绒武雅一带的海边种植350棵椰树，其中也在该海边种了约50棵椰树。这些椰树也已长高2尺，相信在未来将使该地区更绿化。

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20090629064746/https://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2009/06/29/3.html

Find out here: http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2009/06/29/3.html

Join a TBRA working group !

What are YOUR main concerns about our town?

Maybe trees ? Maybe traffic ? Worried about Hillslides ? or Highrise congestion?
Chances are you will find likeminded people in a TBRA working group and enjoy exploring what can be done.

After the 3rd AGM, the new TBRA Committee decided on opening up 4 different groups who could focus on particular problems. Tell us which one you will join:

a. Hillslopes. Help to get a ban on construction on dangerous slopes. (leader: George)

b. Zoning. Is Tanjong Bunga in “Corridor 1 or 2” It can make all the difference in terms of density and height of buildings. Will there be 4 MORE Sore fingers next to the Cove? Or can we stop them?

c.1. Pearl Hilltop Park It has been launched, now we must start thinking of how we want it to look. (leader Lee Laine)
c.2. At night the rats at our food stalls come out ! Catch them on video to show MPPP and help campaign to clean up Astaka. (leader: Lee Laine)

d. Trees. Very few huge trees remain, let’s save those and plant more. (leader: Dato’ Leong)

Tell us, which group appeals most to you and we shall put you in touch with the group’s leader. Write to tanjongbunga@yahoo.com or leave a note on this blogspot.

TBRA moves into second gear

The new committee should now be moving into second gear. We reproduce here the outgoing chairperson's speech:


TBRA’S HISTORY

Three years ago, five people got together when they found out they shared similar concerns on what was happening in their neighbourhood. They discussed about the unsightly dumping of earth and rocks in the sea off Tanjong Bunga Bay which involved questionable approvals from the authorities, the cutting of hill slopes and clearing of forests near water catchment areas for high density housing developments, mushrooming of over 40 storey high buildings on the sea front, the poor public transport facilities and the lack of transparency in governance.

They decided that they needed a platform and a channel to voice their concerns to the government and to form a pressure group. TBRA was thus born with a vision ”to make Tanjong Bunga a green and restful town with well designed amenities and facilities.”

When we applied to the Registrar of Societies to register TBRA, we found out that residents’ associations in general were formed usually in condominium and apartments, taking upon the role of management committees. Such RAs are limited to looking after the welfare of the condominium and apartment residents and promoting neighbourliness, i.e. be good and responsible residents.

The circumstances in which TBRA was founded demanded a different sort of mission from other RAs. Furthermore the membership of TBRA was open to all property owners and residents in the town of Tanjong Bunga with the postcode 11200. This in a way is quite ‘ground-breaking’ for Penang although similar RAs can be found in Petaling jaya and Subang Jaya in Selangor.

Although one can say that the population in Tanjong Bunga is relatively middle-class, there are also pockets of lower-income groups. All have equal access to the public facilities and services which TBRA wants to be upgraded, irrespective of race, religion or socio-economic status. At the same time while we respect the need for a balance of public space, private space and shared space, we must share a common vision and mission. TBRA’s activities in the past three years have been guided by its stated mission.

Back to the group who led the founding of the Association, we only had a handful of members in the pro-tem committee. Happily there were enough interest and support from friends and neighbours at the start to get the Association officially registered and making its presence and agenda known to the government authorities and the Municipal Council. All were committed to our mission and volunteered their time and their homes for meetings.
A highly successful public forum held in July 2006 started a series of engagements with the State and Municipal authorities and continues till today.

TBRA THE PAST YEAR

The past year has been especially challenging for TBRA as it had to deal with a totally new government and in particular with a new Chief Minister who had no clue what TBRA’s concerns were even though many in Tanjong Bunga had voted and supported his party! This was evident in our meeting with him last May (2008).

However I am pleased to report that our newly elected State Legislative Assembly representative for Tanjong Bunga, YB Teh Yee Cheu, has been most responsive to our concerns and has supported our causes. YB Teh has attended a number of our committee meetings and was responsible for initiating a Sustainable Development Workshop held at Paradise Sandy Beach Hotel last April, soon after the March General Elections. To his credit, I would say that no other Assemblyman in this country had worked as swiftly as he has done in working with his constituents.

Among the main recommendations that TBRA has submitted to the State Government is the need for setting up a planning commission with representations from NGOs and to hold consultations with residents’ associations in the drafting of local plans. TBRA has noted that the State Planning Committee had not responded or accepted any of its recommendations in the memorandum on the State Structure Plan and the MPPP continues to allow environmental degradation, hill-cutting and high-rise buildings on beachfronts.

TBRA has also pointed out to the Chief Minister, State Exco members and the State Legal Advisor, the ambiguity in the State Structure Plan which omitted the gazetted boundary of Tanjong Bunga from the designated ‘Secondary Development Corridor’. This has major implications on the development density that is permitted within Tanjong Bunga as the interpretation by the State government means that Tanjong Bunga will have the same high densities as George Town with no control on hill-side development.

Incidentally, TBRA has not received any official reply to our lawyer’ s letter to the State Town and Country Planning Department to clarify this serious omission in the State Structure Plan. Of course we can always count on the standard reply that the problem was created by the previous government but I am afraid that we are now being faced with Conspiracy, Ambiguity and Tidakapathy!

TBRA supported the NGO’s nominations for the appointment of Municipal Councillors, in particular the nomination by Women’s Action Council, Ms. Lim Kah Cheng and Aliran’s Prof. Francis Loh, who were subsequently appointed as MPPP’s Councillors. TBRA has also submitted its proposals for Tanjong Bunga to be included in the Local Plan through YB Teh and through Municipal Councillor Ms. Lim.

In the past year TBRA has represented affected residents and resident committees in Diamond Villa, Chee Seng Gardens and Solok Tan Jit Seng in meeting with elected representatives and government departments like JKR, MPPP and holding press conferences to protest against hill-cutting. In particular I would like to thank our Vice-Chairperson and committee members involved for their efforts in The ‘Tea Party’ and ‘Coffee Party’ organised by these resident committees as well as the petition against hill-slope development campaign. As a strategy in raising public awareness in these issues, these demonstrations have been successful as they were widely reported in the press and the new media.

As Chairman, I have also represented TBRA in lending support to other causes like the PGCC forum and the Transport Planning Committee. Two particular projects that I think TBRA should be proud of is the Hill Top Park on Pearl Hill that was launched in April, and the setting up of a signboard to demarcate the official boundary of the Town of Tanjong Bunga. These two projects were initiated with the support of YB Teh, and I hope the future committee will see to its successful completion.

For the information of members, I think a brief background to these two projects are necessary. The summit of Pearl Hill has been designated a public open space when the subdivision of the entire Pearl Hill was approved by the State more than twenty years ago. However no action was taken by the MPPP to actually develop the open space as a park and in fact there are now squatters on this public land which was intended for the use of Tanjong Bunga residents. TBRA brought this up at a meeting with YB Teh and has submitted a concept paper for its development as a hill-top park with a proposed budget.

The signboard project which is proposed in front of the junction of Tanjong Bunga Road and Tanjong Park, next to Tanjong Bunga Hotel is aimed at establishing the official boundary of the Town of Tanjong Bunga, which the State Structure Plan has ambiguously and erroneously stated as from Mar Vista resort.

WORD OF THANKS

In conclusion, I wish to thank all the Committee members who have sacrificed their family and working time and for their commitment to the mission that we have set for TBRA and most of all for putting community interests above self. I should also mention that considering the annual membership fees that we collect are really minimal, TBRA has been prudent enough not to spend much, if not any, money from its funds. This is possible only through the generosity of members who had contributed in cash and kind for specific events.

It is with the energy and support of members and the Committee, that TBRA has been able to achieve what I consider as remarkable and ground-breaking results. As chairperson, I humbly accept responsibility for all shortcomings, and in particular for my occasional long absences from Penang due to work. However I have been able to touch base through emails. I foresee more challenges ahead for TBRA as development pressure takes its toll on the quality of life in Tanjong Bunga. Only if you speak up will you be heard. Only if you are prepared to act will you see results.

I wish you all the best. Thank you.

Authorities not monitoring rock-blasting

A resident in Tanjong Bunga near the Surin condominium project took these photos of continued hill-cutting and rockblasting. It is evident that on-going works have not been monitored by MPPP and other relevant departments to ensure that they comply with their conditions. From the photos you can see that earthcutting right up to the boundary of the neighbouring property. Wouldn't you be worried if you are a resident here?

According to the report, YB Phee Boon Poh was at the site to see for himself and agreed that there were contraventions. Will there be a stop-work order from MPPP?

Annual General Meeting 2009

Tanjong Bunga Residents’ Association Annual General Meeting 2009

INVITATION

The Tanjong Bunga Residents’ Association (TBRA) is pleased to urge you to attend the AGM on Saturday, 18 April 2009 at 3 pm in the Meeting Room upstairs (above the Tanjong Bunga market).

Agenda

Address by Chairperson TBRA
Approve Minutes of AGM 2008*
Adopt Annual Report by Secretary TBRA*
Adopt Audited Statement of Accounts, Treasurer TBRA*
Consider any resolution (will be submitted in writing by 11 April 2009)
Discuss matters of general interest
Any other business
Closing address

* copies forthcoming soon
Please note that this year there are elections; we need to elect a new chair, vice-chair and treasurer. PLEASE start thinking of nominations.
There will also be proposed changes to the statutes so as to allow for life membership – keep a watch for the resolution to approve at the AGM.

As you know, every AGM needs to have a quorum of at least 20 members. Please make sure we reach that quorum by turning up. Come to hear about the latest activities. It will not take that much of your time. Support your local Association !

Saturday, 18th 3 pm - See you there !

Another Party This Saturday

A call from TBRA (and active residents from Chee Seng Gardens, Straits Regency, Coastal Towers, Leader Garden, Solok Tan Jit Seng, Pearl Hill Town Houses & Diamond Villa) :

Come and join us ! Get some fresh air and new ideas.

COFFEE PARTY

on 21 March 2009 (this Saturday)
from 4.00 to 5.00 pm - just an hour of your time !

Let’s SUPPORT the call to STOP all dangerous Hill Slope Development in Penang

Dear Residents of Tanjong Bunga,
· Are you living in fear of your home collapsing in the future due to a nearby dangerously steep hill slope development project?
· Are you fearful of the hill collapsing or a land slide?
· Are you fearful of nearby rock blasting that threatens the lives your family?
· Are you sick and tired of the constant lorries carting rocks and earth and covering roads with mud and dust?
· Do you want a more beautiful and green Penang?

If any of the answers above are yes, then come and support your neighbours speak up against irresponsible steep and dangerous hill slope development on:

1. Date – 21st March 2009 (Saturday)
2. Time – 4.00 to 5.00 pm
3. Venue – Solok Tan Jit Seng – behind Tanjong Bunga Secondary School- below the Mt Erskine reservoir (Lemba Permai side)

Our intention is to have a VERY peaceful yet meaningful gathering to highlight all the above. So, come to the Party, with a metal coffee pot or a pan so that we can share our coffee with others and do bring a wooden spoon too. We'll make some noise around the coffee.
Coffee and other refreshments will be provided.

Cherry Blossom time in Penang

Don't you wish Tanjong Bunga looks like this instead of concrete high-rises?

CHANGE OR SAME?

Tanjong Bunga residents are encouraged to attend this forum organised by SUARAM:
Cat's Ruling, Change or The Same!? (English)
Date: 14/3/09 (Saturday)
Time: 8pm
Venue: Penang Chinese Town Hall
Speakers: Lim Kah Cheng (MPPP)
Choo Chon Kai (SUARAM)
Chow Kon Yeow (Exco of Penang State Government)
Teh Leong Meng (Gerakan)
contact person: Lau Shu Shi 012-8756179, suarampg@gmail. com

“一年貓政府，民聯功與過” (Chinese)
日期：15/3/09
時間：晚間八點
地點：檳華堂
主講人：
非政府組織成員劉素希
槟城中文报记者摄影记者协会主席陈云清
檳州行政議員曹觀友，
民政黨涂仲儀醫生
聯絡人：劉素希 012-8756179， suarampg@gmail. com

THE LAUNCH OF PEARL HILL RECREATIONAL PARK

When: 8 March 2009, 8 am
Launch by: YB Teh Yee Cheu, ADUN Tg Bungah and TBRA
Venue: entrance to “Tua Pek Kong” Chinese Temple (top of the hill)

Sponsored by:
Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association • Malaysian Nature Society • MPPP • Lions Club

Please come and join us to celebrate the launch of a new park in Tanjong Bunga this coming Sunday. The very top of Pearl Hill is State land and will gradually be converted into a recreational park, adding beautiful views and exercise grounds for the many joggers, walkers and climbers in the Tanjong Bunga area.

On this historic day, TBRA is happy to announce the launch of this park by our Assemblyman, YB Teh Yee Cheu, with co-sponsorship by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), the Lions Club and MPPP. MNS will be able to advise on environmental aspects, the Lions Club will encourage recreational activities and MPPP will oversee the topographical management. YB Liew Chin Tong, member of Parliament, has also promised to be present.

The many high density and high rise developments which have been built in Tanjong Bunga have led to a serious lack of public recreational space or consideration for the natural settings. This is very evident when comparing the new condos with other earlier developments in Hillside and surrounding areas. The earlier housing projects had many small neighborhood parks that serve as play ground for children and areas for relaxation for the adults.

The new park, located at the summit of Pearl Hill, is currently zoned as public open space. It is accessible by road via Puncak Bukit Mutiara. A detailed proposal is being considered by the State Government.

TBRA (Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association)
For more info contact: Lee Laine at 012-5811123