Penang South Islands project gets EIA green light
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the Penang South Islands (PSI) project has received conditional approval from the Department of Environment (DoE) under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the approval includes 71 conditions to be complied with.
“The Penang State Secretary received a letter on April 11 informing the state government of the EIA approval.
“The 71 conditions include the implementation of the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) and the Ecology Offset Master Plan (PEOM).
“Following the EIA approval, the Penang government through its project delivery partner (PDP) for the PSI project is now in the process of applying for the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) approval from the DoE.
“The EMP report contains the plans to comply with the conditions of the EIA approval,” Chow told a media conference at his office in Komtar yesterday.
Chow said the approved EIA was for the entire PSI project, involving the reclamation of three islands – Islands A, B and C.
The tri-islands (Islands A, B and C) will be located at the south-end of the Penang island, measuring a total of 4,500 acres in land size. Island A will be 2,300 acres in size, Island B will be 1,400 acres and Island C will be 800 acres.
“Land reclamation works will only start after the PSI project receives the EMP approval from the DoE. It will begin with Island A.
“A portion of the 2,300-acre Island A has been designated as a Green Tech Park to fulfil the needs of the industry.
“Land reclamation works are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of this year,” he said.
Chow was quoted that Penang would become an even more well-rounded regional industrial hub with the realisation of the Green Tech Park on Island A.
He had said that the state was looking at niche upstream value chain activities, including product research, as well as design and development investments for the Green Tech Park.
“Such investments would emphasise creating top-notched working environments which would, in turn, attract talents,” he added.
Separately, after the media conference, Chow said the Penang government recognised that the climate change crisis is real.
“We must be ready for a new paradigm shift and look at how roads, towns or mitigation works are planned and implemented.
“The government and professional bodies must recognise the threat of climate change,” he said.
Chow spoke about the collective effort of addressing the long-term effect of climate change and its impact on public health via the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme (PNBCap).
PNBCap is a multilateral initiative to enhance urban resilience and reduce human and ecosystem vulnerability to climate change impacts and extreme weather events through the implementation of nature-based solutions.
Source: Buletin Mutiara
Finally, what Penang citizens have all been waiting for! This should be the way forward to continue developing the state and country and not staying stagnant and being left behind by the rest of the world.
Wah sui!! Rocket cronies are going to make lots and lots of money now!!
EMP yet to be approved, how can be so sure Q3 will start? Might as well declare it has already started since it’s just about talking into thin air.
@Woon
Confirm, they have been waiting for this
During the BIG tsunami, this part of the island was the hardest hit. So it’s good that they are building these man-made islands to act as a shield to the main island.
Overall, me as Penangties I hope Penang can continue to grow and develop. But please report to PDRM or SPRM if you have solid evidence else don’t make allegations or statements without any supporting facts. I hate corruption by the way.
@Gemini
With only about 30% of reclaimed land space allocated for industry and commercial, i doubt the economy impact it will bring. Surely crony developer is the one benefited the most. But don’t get me wrong, i’m all support for this project. It is way better than 0 development as of what happening now.
I agree with you. We should oppose and reject crony and corruption with evidence, as the current state gov need to understand ppl are watching them closely and Penang ppl will vote them out if they do hanky panky stuff. Regarding your 30% for industrial and commercial, based on the link below 18% or 405 acres of Island A will be for public parks, water canals, wetlands and etc to have balance development in another way maybe to fulfill EIA requirements which I think is a good thing to do. We need to keep moving forward as development is inevitable but we need to ensure balance and responsible development.
@Gemini
Crony and corruption is the way of life nowadays.
You stop one mushroom another few as well.
The upper also want a piece of the Big Cake while the below also want it as well.
New buyer every year, best they do research on the developer.
Season buyers also know the market whos who on the developer as well.
2 Cents Opinion.