Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has given assurance the reclamation project will be smart and clean, incorporating all the good practises of a green and smart development.
"It won't be a bare island. It will be a clean, smart island with 10-15km of waterfront, bicycle lanes and parks, all this will be added into the project," Chow (above) said.
"You cannot just look at reclamation on its own. The impact will be mitigated.
"Basically it will be clean, smart and incorporate all the good practises of green and smart development," Chow stressed.
Chow told reporters this after attending the Penang Development Corporation Lunar New Year celebration bash in Bayan Baru.
He was responding to ongoing criticism of the Penang South Reclamation project in Bayan Lepas, which has been opposed by civil society and fisherfolks.
Spanning 1,800ha, the reclaimed three artificial islands will be developed and sold to cover the cost of the proposed RM46 billion Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
A 29-station light rail transit from Bayan Lepas to Komtar is part of the PTMP.
Project delivery partner SRS Consortium, comprising Gamuda and two other private developers, will have to comply with 23 conditions imposed by the Department of Environment before the project can proceed.
Meanwhile, Chow was also asked about his initial reaction when George Town representatives won the inaugural Climathon Global Awards under the Cities category at the ChangeNOW global summit in Paris.
"I am aware of the initiative and the award. I hope by winning they can also give us the grant the local council has applied for," Chow said.
"The money can be used to carry out projects like the planting of trees, flood mitigation and development of smart cities," he added.
Organised by EIT Climate-KIC in partnership with the Crowther Lab, ETH Zurich, Penang is expected to receive a cash prize of RM273,585, including technical support.
Penang proposed an innovative project aimed at planting resilient species of plants as a form of retention against flash floods in the heritage enclave.
The idea was mooted through a collaborative effort between Penang Island City Council, Think City Sdn Bhd, United Nations Habitat Agency as well as the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry. - Mkini
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