GEORGE TOWN: A total of four objections have been recorded from the 462 inputs received following the public display of the proposed Penang Structure (Development) Plan 2030.
State Local Government committee chairperson Jagdeep Singh Deo said among the objections raised were:
>> Scepticism over the state’s projection of population growth of 2.5% growth per annum under the structure plan (until 2030), which is believed to be exponentially high;
>> Request for the proposed RM46 billion Penang Transport Masterplan to not be approved or gazetted as the main guideline for the development of transport;
>> Request for the mega reclamation (off Bayan Lepas) to be reviewed in view of the possible repercussions to the state ecology and;
>> Request for farming areas (in Penang) to be preserved.
Jagdeep said that a special evaluation committee will now be formed by the state to study the objections and inputs received.
They review is expected to deliberate on the matter for a month.
“We will discuss the objections in the upcoming state planning committee,“ he said.
The structure plan was unveiled recently as part of Penang’s own development vision called “Penang 2030”, with the central theme of upholding the family institution and turning the state into a top livable city in the world.
Jagdeep said that the public display of the structure plan began on Sept 18 and ended on Nov 19, this year.
Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 Division III (Development Plan) of Section 9 (3), the need to display it was for one month only.
But Jagdeep said that in good faith, the state decided to extend it for another month, ending on Nov 19, this year.
The state received 462 forms of inputs and objections through the forms distributed and electronic emails as well as online postings.
It is believed that main objections came from Penang Forum, who had submitted three inputs.
Others who participated were local authorities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang Development Corporation, 20 developers, 31 individuals, and the state agriculture department.
“We are always open to constructive inputs and feedback to improve the structure plan,“ added Jagdeep.
He said that he intends the plan to be for the good of all Penangites.
Earlier, Jagdeep presented school uniforms to low income families who from the Datuk Keramat constituency at Komtar here.
