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  Business Times Singapore 15 Dec 06
Call for first public tender on Pulau Ubin
Govt approves recreational uses for former govt chalet site
By Vincent Wee

Today Online 15 Dec 06
Bidders check out Ubin site
Derrick A Paulo

The Straits Times 15 Dec 06
Rare chance to lease a slice of rustic Pulau Ubin
6,505 sq m chalet site has potential for a signature project
By David Boey

Channel NewsAsia 14 Dec 06
Bed & Breakfast or resort likely on Pulau Ubin as first public tender called on island
By May Wong

SINGAPORE: Visitors to Pulau Ubin may be able to enjoy 'Bed and Breakfast' or check into a resort on the island in the future. That's because the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has called for a public tender for a state property on the island that will be used for recreational purposes.

It is the first time the SLA is calling for a public tender for a state property on the island.

The property is the former Civil Service College chalet. To capitalise on the rustic charm of the island, the SLA is looking to dedicate it for recreational uses. These include using it as a campsite or for group or corporate retreats.

The SLA says this is to cater to the traveller or tourist looking for a unique experience on an off-shore island.

The floor area of the property occupies about three tennis courts.

Another property on Pulau Ubin, which was unused previously, will soon be utilised by the Singapore Environment Council. It will be for an Environmental Hub, which will feature a permanent exhibition centre. The exhibition will educate island residents and visitors on the need to reduce, reuse and recycle. The Hub will be ready in February next year.

Both plots of land will enjoy an initial tenure of three years. - CNA/ir

Today Online 15 Dec 06
Bidders check out Ubin site
Derrick A Paulo derrick@mediacorp.com.sg

First, it was farmland. Now, it is Pulau Ubin. Rustic locations seem to be the flavour of the month, as potential bidders eye the first public tender for state property on the island. Keen interest in three plots of Kranji farmland had ended in 11 bids last week.

A few days later, the Singapore Land Authority showed six potential tenants of Pulau Ubin the next rural site up for grabs, and talked about "signature projects", "unique island experiences" for citizens, and tourists on "idyllic seaside property".

The interested parties are from industries ranging from computer software and property management to hostelling.

A partnership of like-minded environmentalists, including youth group Eco Singapore, also wants to build an educational garden and a resort sanctuary promoting holistic well-being.

If successful, it will enlist the help of the National Parks Board to feature Singapore's natural botany, which it hopes will promote rootedness among children, the partnership's spokesperson, Dr Ryal Wun, told Today.

Two others who viewed the site said they had a campsite and a chalet in mind.

Mr Nicholas Mak, director of research and consultancy at Knight Frank, thinks this could be the first of possibly more projects to come for Pulau Ubin.

"It's a way of bringing back some life to Pulau Ubin after the bird culling last year," he said. "I think it'll be done on a case-by-case basis, and they may use this as a test case."

The Straits Times 15 Dec 06
Rare chance to lease a slice of rustic Pulau Ubin
6,505 sq m chalet site has potential for a signature project
By David Boey

BED and breakfast at the inn on Pulau Ubin? Why not, going by a tender issued by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to give the vacant government chalets on the island's southern shoreline a new lease of life and to treat visitors to a 'unique experience in rustic Singapore'.

The former Civil Service College Chalet site, about five minutes' walk from Ubin's bumboat jetty, is up for grabs in the first tender for state property there.

The SLA, which issued the tender on Dec 1, said yesterday it has earmarked the site for uses that should capitalise on 'the rustic charm' of Singapore's second largest island. These include developing the place as a 'bed and breakfast' inn or seaside chalets.

The tender is seen as a rare chance to lease a slice of Ubin. The SLA told The Straits Times it has no other tender plans for the island for now.

The 6,505 sq m property has three blocks of single storey buildings with a camp site, and several smaller structures like rain shelters. The SLA said the successful bidder will lease the place for three years, and this is renewable for another two three-year terms till 2016.

Mr Clarence Ti, the director of land business and management at SLA, encouraged businesses to 'take full advantage of this idyllic seaside property to develop signature projects' that would provide 'unique island getaway experiences' for citizens and tourists.

A signature project is one that makes its mark with unique features or attractions.

Mr Ti's vision may not be far-fetched. A site tour last week drew companies from various industries keen to inject more buzz into the coastal property.

Bidders from a slew of industries, including computer software, property and the student hostel sector, took the 20-minute boat ride to see the area.

An entrepreneur who runs several hostels for foreign students, wants to turn the place into a 'summer camp'. He declined to be named. 'We felt that developing premises where students are exposed to the outdoors during summer camp would benefit them and would also allow foreign students to experience something unique in Singapore,' he said.

A company that organises corporate events such as company retreats said it is hoping to land the tender because 'the place is away from the city and it would make a relaxed getaway'. The tender closes at 11am next Friday.

Meanwhile, the Singapore Environment Council said yesterday that it is renovating a house on Ubin to showcase environmentally friendly ideas.

Its Environmental Hub, also a short walk from the bumboat jetty, will be powered by solar panels and have flooring made of recycled plastic, said Mr Grant Pereira, head of the council's Green Volunteers Network. Renovations should be completed by February.

Mr Pereira said: 'We chose Ubin as it's the last island untouched by urban development.'

Business Times Singapore 15 Dec 06
Call for first public tender on Pulau Ubin
Govt approves recreational uses for former govt chalet site
By Vincent Wee

CHANGES are afoot on rustic Pulau Ubin as the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) calls for its first tender for state property on the island.

The property, which used to be a Civil Service College chalet, has a site area of 70,019 sq ft and a gross floor area of 8,428 sq ft comprising three blocks of single storey buildings with a camp, pump house, three shelters and some ancillary facilities.

Approved uses for the site include as a Bed and Breakfast operation, or as a chalet or resort for short term lodging. It may also be used as a campsite for group and corporate retreats or team building, leadership or motivational activities. The tenure is for a three-year term extendable for another two three-year terms till 2016.

The SLA believes that the site will allow tenants to offer a unique bucolic experience for both tourists and locals.

'We encourage businessmen to take full advantage of this idyllic seaside property to develop signature projects so as to provide citizens and tourists unique island getaway experiences,' said a director at SLA.

The SLA has no plans for further tenders on Pulau Ubin at the moment.

Response has been good according to the SLA. There are six potential tenants with a variety of concepts.

One potential bidder who declined to be named saw an opportunity to leverage on an existing business in educating students and exposing them to nature.

Meanwhile, Ryal Wun wants a chance to promote a Garden of Eden in Singapore. He is working in partnership with several organisations with environmental interests at heart. He told BT they see possibilities in educating kids about nature and in a sanctuary for promoting holistic well-being for adults.

Being the first such tender, market watchers were reluctant to offer a price range.

Savills director Ku Swee Yong, however, said that while it was 'good to see' it happening, steps should be taken to ensure the tender price does not reach such a level that it makes running a business unviable.

He saw potential for a business that could support the Mice segment of the tourism market when the integrated resorts open.

Dr Wun, meanwhile, expressed hope that the winning bid would not be based on price alone but on the value-add the business could bring.
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