Southern Islands

For the GPU family, see Southern Islands (GPU family).

Planning Area in Central, Singapore

Southern Islands

Planning Area

Other transcription(s)
• Chinese| 南部群岛
• Pinyin| Nánbù qúndǎo
• Malay| Kepulauan Selatan
• Tamil| தெற்கு தீவுகள்

Sentosa, one of the eight major and the largest of the Southern Islands, has been developed into a major tourist attraction in Singapore.

Location in Central Region

Country|  Singapore
Region| Central
Government

• Mayor| South West CDC

* Low Yen Ling

* * *

• Members of Parliament| West Coast GRC

* Rachel Ong Sin Yen

Area

• Total| 5.58 km2 (2.15 sq mi)
• Rank| 42 out of 55
Population

(2018)

• Total| 1,800
• Density| 320/km2 (840/sq mi)

The Southern Islands is a planning area consisting of a collection of islets located within the Central Region of Singapore, once home to the native Malay islanders and sea nomads before they were relocated to the mainland for urban redevelopment and future use. The islands that form the planning area are Kusu Island, Lazarus Island, Pulau Seringat, Pulau Tekukor, Saint John's Island, Sentosa and the two Sisters' Islands. The islands encompass a total land area of about 5.58 square kilometres (2.15 sq mi). The Sentosa Development Corporation oversaw the development and maintenance of these offshore islands south of Singapore from 1976 to March 2017, when it handed it back to the Singapore Land Authority.

Southern Islands planning area is situated on the Singapore Straits, south of the mainland planning area of Bukit Merah. It also shares maritime boundary with the Western Islands planning area.

## Development[edit]

As part of the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) plan to develop the other Southern Islands after Sentosa, land reclamation was started in 2000 to link Pulau Seringat and Lazarus Island. The reclamation created a sand bank between the two islands, forming a lagoon that has an unobstructed seaview.

Pulau Seringat, photographed in February 2011

Pulau Seringat, which is now part of the extended Lazarus Island, now has an 800-metre stretch of beach. Thousands of cubic metres of sand, checked for sandfly eggs, was imported from Indonesia to make the beach. 1,000 mature coconut trees were also planted to add to the island feel of the place.

A causeway connecting Lazarus Island and Saint John's Island was also built to make the three islands more accessible and help attract more visitors.

Previously a shoal that was barely visible at high tide, Kias is now an island that houses an electricity generator with enough capacity to support the other three islands.

The reclamation took six years to complete and cost S$60 million. Another S$120 million was spent to bring water, electricity, gas and telecommunication infrastructure from Sentosa to the islands. The submarine services link consists of a 1.2-kilometre trench holding utility lines that lie 17 metres underwater. It links Sentosa Cove to Kias Island, and is protected underneath 50,000 tonnes of rock. It holds two 12-inch (30 cm) gas pipelines, two 12-inch (30 cm) water pipelines, four 22 kV power cables and four 96 core fibre optic cables for telecommunications.

The entire project cost nearly S$300 million and took about 15 years of planning.[1][2][3]

## Plans[edit]

Aerial perspective of Kusu Island, Singapore. Shot in 2016.

In November 2006, the Singapore Tourism Board announced plans to develop the six islands off the southern tip of Sentosa into a tourist attraction. These islands include the Sisters' Island, Kusu Island, Lazarus Island and Saint John's Island, which draw at least 100,000 visitors a year. These are mainly pilgrims, campers, day-trippers and canoeists.

This, as STB's S$12 billion Sentosa master plan -- which includes HarbourFront and the Southern Islands -- is expected to be completed ahead of schedule in 2010. The STB intends to tap on the momentum of the Sentosa Integrated resort bid and extend investor interest to the islands nearby.

Over the years, there have been several suggestions on how to develop the islands, from turning them into a centre for water sports, to developing eco-tourism and promoting fishing. Even a retirement village was promoted. However, these plans did not materialise.

The STB reckoned that the time was ripe to attract investors to develop the islands, which lies about a 20-minute ferry ride from the Singapore Cruise Centre and 30 minutes from Marina South Pier.

Exploring the potential of developing land around the Marina Bay and Sentosa areas, the STB has concluded that enhancing the lush greenery and natural foliage of the Southern Islands will make them irresistible as a tourist destination. The Southern Islands currently has a Chinese temple, natural ecosystems and a resort-like atmosphere. Therefore, it is conceivable to turn some of them into a resort island, a cultural site or an interactive rainforest park.

There is also some potential for the Southern Islands to become a themed destination, mixing education and entertainment, that leverages on its natural resources. It has been said that the potential is similar to Italy's Isle of Capri, a marine village, or Dubai's The Palm islands, a development for the ultra-wealthy. However, it may be difficult to develop the islands as a mass tourist destination because they lack a land link to the main island. Instead, a plan is being considered to turn them into a getaway for the well-heeled who can afford the luxury and those who want to explore the rustic surroundings for the islands' flora and fauna, including 300 species of native wildlife.

With the completion of land reclamation works to link Pulau Seringat, Lazarus Island and Saint John's Island, the STB is setting its sights to develop the cluster by 2015, the year they plan to hit its target of 17 million annual visitors and S$30 billion in tourism receipts. The STB expects to announce details for the development of the Southern Islands and seek requests for concepts as early as March 2007.[2][3][4][5]

However, in April 2007, STB announced that the plans for the Southern Islands have been put on hold. Industry sources said that the Government is considering housing a casino on the six-island cluster. STB met potential investors in January 2006 to gauge their interests and listen to ideas, but the results were apparently not very encouraging. To date, no decision has been made yet on the development concept, including whether a request for concepts exercise will be launched. It is the second time in three years that the authorities are rethinking plans for the Southern Islands.[6]

## See also[edit]

* Western Islands

## Notes and references[edit]

1. ^ Teh Jen Lee, "Believe it or not...This is Singapore. The newly developed St John's and Lazarus islands have beautiful beaches and sparkling waters", The New Paper, 1 December 2006
2. ^ a b Serene Goh, "Targeting nature lovers and the well-heeled", The Straits Times, 1 December 2006
3. ^ a b Serene Goh, "All powered up and ready for offers", The Straits Times, 1 December 2006
4. ^ Jeana Wong, Channel NewsAsia: STB plans to develop Southern Islands into tourist attraction. Retrieved 30 November 2006.
5. ^ Krist Boo, "Southern Islands may be next big tourist attraction", The Straits Times, 29 November 2006
6. ^ Krist Boo, "Tourism for Southern Islands put on hold", The Straits Times, 12 April 2007

## External links[edit]

* The Southern Islands at sentosa.com.sg
* Aerial view of the Southern Islands
* Transport to the Southern Islands
* Ferry Services from Marina South Pier

* v
* t
* e

Islands of Singapore

Natural|

* Pedra Branca
* Pulau Anak Bukom
* Pulau Bajau
* Pulau Berkas
* Pulau Biola (Violin Island)
* Pulau Brani
* Pulau Buaya
* Pulau Bukom / Pulau Bukum
* Pulau Bukom Kechil / Pulau Bukum Kechil
* Pulau Buloh
* Pulau Busing
* Pulau Damar Laut
* Pulau Damien
* Pulau Hantu (Ghost Island)
* Pulau Jong (Junk Island)
* Pulau Keppel
* Pulau Ketam
* Pulau Khatib Bongsu
* Pulau Malang Siajar
* Pulau Palawan
* Pulau Pawai
* Pulau Pergam
* Pulau Renggis
* Pulau Sakijang Bendera (St. John's Island)
* Pulau Sakijang Pelepah (Lazarus Island)
* Pulau Salu
* Pulau Samulun
* Pulau Sarimbun
* Pulau Satumu (One Tree Island)
* Pulau Sebarok (Middle Island)
* Pulau Seletar
* Pulau Semakau
* Pulau Senang (Barn Island)
* Pulau Sekudu (Frog Island)
* Pulau Selugu (Sarong Island)
* Pulau Serangoon (Coney Island)
* Pulau Seringat
* Pulau Seringat Kechil
* Pulau Subar Darat (Sisters' Islands)
* Pulau Subar Laut (Sisters' Islands)
* Pulau Sudong
* Pulau Tekong
* Pulau Tekukor
* Pulau Tembakul (Kusu Island / Peak Island)
* Pulau Ubin
* Pulau Ular
* Pulau Unum
* Sentosa
* Singapore Island (Pulau Ujong)
* Sultan Shoal

Artificial|

* Chinese Garden
* Coral Island
* Dragonfly Island
* Japanese Garden
* Jurong Island
* Kias Island
* Nibong Island
* Paradise Island
* Pearl Island
* Pulau Punggol Barat
* Pulau Punggol Timor
* Sandy Island
* Treasure Island

Former|

* Anak Pulau
* Berhala Reping
* Buran Darat
* Pulau Ayer Chawan
* Pulau Ayer Merbau
* Pulau Bakau
* Pulau Merlimau
* Pulau Mesemut Darat
* Pulau Mesemut Laut
* Pulau Meskol
* Pulau Pesek
* Pulau Pesek Kecil
* Pulau Saigon
* Pulau Sejahat
* Pulau Sejahat Kechil
* Pulau Sakra
* Pulau Sanyongkong
* Pulau Semechek
* Pulau Seraya
* Pulau Tekong Kechil
* Terumbu Retan Laut

* v
* t
* e

Places in Singapore by region

Listed by planning areas (Subzones in parenthesis)

Central|

* Bishan
* Marymount
* Upper Thomson
* Bukit Merah
* Alexandra Hill
* Alexandra North
* Bukit Ho Swee
* Bukit Merah
* Depot Road
* Everton Park
* HarbourFront/Maritime Square
* Henderson Hill
* Kampong Tiong Bahru
* Redhill
* Singapore General Hospital
* Telok Blangah Drive
* Telok Blangah Rise
* Telok Blangah Way
* Tiong Bahru
* Bukit Timah
* Anak Bukit
* Coronation Road
* Farrer Court
* Hillcrest
* Holland Road
* Leedon Park
* Swiss Club
* Ulu Pandan
* Downtown Core
* Anson
* Bayfront Subzone
* Bugis
* Cecil
* Central Subzone
* City Hall
* Clifford Pier
* Marina Centre
* Maxwell
* Millenia Singapore
* Nicoll
* Phillip
* Raffles Place
* Tanjong Pagar
* Geylang
* Aljunied
* Geylang East
* Kallang Way
* Kampong Ubi
* MacPherson
* Kallang
* Bendemeer
* Boon Keng
* Crawford
* Geylang Bahru
* Kallang Bahru
* Kampong Bugis
* Kampong Java
* Lavender
* Tanjong Rhu
* Marina East
* Marina South
* Marine Parade
* East Coast
* Katong
* Marina East
* Marine Parade
* Mountbatten
* Museum
* Bras Basah
* Dhoby Ghaut
* Fort Canning
* Newton
* Cairnhill
* Goodwood Park
* Istana Negara
* Monk's Hill
* Newton Circus
* Orange Grove
* Novena
* Balestier
* Dunearn
* Malcolm
* Moulmein
* Mount Pleasant
* Orchard
* Boulevard
* Somerset
* Tanglin
* Outram
* China Square
* Chinatown
* Pearl's Hill
* People's Park
* Queenstown
* Commonwealth
* Dover
* Ghim Moh
* Kent Ridge
* Margaret Drive
* Mei Chin
* National University of Singapore
* one-north
* Pasir Panjang 1
* Pasir Panjang 2
* Tanglin Halt
* Queensway
* River Valley
* Institution Hill
* Leonie Hill
* One Tree Hill
* Oxley
* Paterson
* Rochor
* Bencoolen
* Farrer Park
* Kampong Glam
* Little India
* Mackenzie
* Mount Emily
* Rochor Canal
* Selegie
* Sungei Road
* Victoria
* Singapore River
* Boat Quay
* Clarke Quay
* Robertson Quay
* Southern Islands
* Kusu Island
* Lazarus Island
* Sentosa
* Sisters' Islands
* Saint John's Island
* Straits View
* Tanglin
* Chatsworth
* Nassim
* Ridout
* Tyersall
* Toa Payoh
* Bidadari
* Boon Teck
* Braddell
* Joo Seng
* Kim Keat
* Lorong 8 Toa Payoh
* Pei Chun
* Potong Pasir
* Sennett
* Toa Payoh Central
* Toa Payoh West
* Woodleigh

East|

* Bedok
* Bayshore
* Bedok North
* Reservoir
* Bedok South
* Frankel
* Kaki Bukit
* Kembangan
* Siglap
* Changi
* Airport
* Changi Point
* Changi West
* Changi Bay
* Pasir Ris
* Flora Drive
* Loyang East
* Loyang West
* Pasir Ris Central
* Pasir Ris Drive
* Pasir Ris Park
* Pasir Ris Wafer Fab Park
* Pasir Ris West
* Paya Lebar
* Airport Road, Singapore
* Paya Lebar East
* Paya Lebar North
* Paya Lebar West
* Plab
* Tampines
* Simei
* Tampines East
* Tampines North
* Tampines West
* Xilin

North|

* Central Water Catchment
* Lim Chu Kang
* Mandai
* Mandai East
* Mandai Estate
* Mandai West
* Sembawang
* Admiralty
* Sembawang Central
* Sembawang East
* Sembawang North
* Sembawang Spring
* Sembawang Straits
* Senoko North
* Senoko South
* The Wharves
* Simpang
* Pulau Seletar
* Simpang North
* Simpang South
* Tanjong Irau
* Sungei Kadut
* Gali Batu
* Kranji
* Pang Sua
* Turf Club
* Reservoir View
* Woodlands
* Greenwood Park
* Midview
* North Coast
* Senoko West
* Woodgrove
* Woodlands East
* Woodlands Regional Centre
* Woodlands South
* Woodlands West
* Yishun
* Khatib
* Lower Seletar
* Nee Soon
* Northland
* Springleaf
* Yishun Central
* Yishun East
* Yishun South
* Yishun West

North-East|

* Ang Mo Kio
* Ang Mo Kio Town Centre
* Cheng San
* Chong Boon
* Kebun Baru
* Sembawang Hills
* Shangri-la
* Tagore
* Townsville, Singapore
* Yio Chu Kang
* Yio Chu Kang East
* Yio Chu Kang North
* Yio Chu Kang West
* Hougang
* Defu Industrial Park
* Hougang Central
* Hougang East
* Hougang West
* Kangkar
* Kovan
* Lorong Ah Soo
* Lorong Halus
* Tai Seng
* Trafalgar
* North-Eastern Islands
* Punggol
* Coney Island
* Matilda
* Northshore
* Punggol Canal
* Punggol Field
* Punggol Town Centre
* Waterway East
* Seletar
* Pulau Punggol Barat
* Pulau Punggol Timor
* Seletar
* Aerospace Park
* Sengkang
* Anchorvale
* Compassvale
* Fernvale
* Jalan Kayu
* Lorong Halus North
* Rivervale
* Sengkang Town Centre
* Sengkang West
* Serangoon
* Lorong Chuan
* Seletar Hills
* Serangoon Central
* Serangoon Garden
* Serangoon North
* Serangoon North Industrial Estate
* Upper Paya Lebar

West|

* Boon Lay
* Liu Fang
* Samulun
* Shipyard
* Tukang
* Bukit Batok
* Bukit Batok Central
* Bukit Batok East
* Bukit Batok South
* Bukit Batok West
* Brickworks
* Bukit Gombak
* Guilin
* Hillview
* Hong Kah North
* Bukit Panjang
* Bangkit
* Dairy Farm
* Fajar
* Jelebu
* Nature Reserve
* Saujana
* Senja
* Choa Chu Kang
* Choa Chu Kang Central
* Choa Chu Kang North
* Keat Hong
* Peng Siang
* Teck Whye
* Yew Tee
* Clementi
* Clementi Central
* Clementi North
* Clementi West
* Clementi Woods
* Faber
* Pandan
* Sunset Way
* Toh Tuck
* West Coast
* Jurong East
* International Business Park
* Jurong Gateway
* Jurong Port
* Lakeside
* Jurong River
* Penjuru Crescent
* Teban Gardens
* Toh Guan
* Yuhua
* Jurong West
* Central
* Boon Lay Place
* Chin Bee
* Hong Kah
* Kian Teck
* Safti
* Taman Jurong
* Wenya
* Yunnan
* Pioneer
* Benoi Sector
* Gul Basin
* Gul Circle
* Joo Koon
* Pioneer Sector
* Tengah
* Tuas
* Tengeh
* Tuas Bay
* Tuas North
* Tuas Promenade
* Tuas View
* Tuas View Extension
* Western Islands
* Jurong Island
* Bukum
* Semakau
* Sudong
* Western Water Catchment

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