Penang calls for suggestions, professional views for South Island local plan draft

GEORGE TOWN: All parties are urged to participate and provide their views and ideas in the Penang South Island 2050 Local Plan (RTPSI 2050).

The RTPSI 2050 is currently on a week-long preliminary publicity programme until next Monday (July 29).

The programme by the Penang government is meant to develop a smart, sustainable and resilient development plan through the gathering of views, ideas and suggestions from all sectors of society.

The Penang South Island, now known as the Silicon Island project for Island A, encompasses 920 hectares of reclaimed land.

The Penang government, which owns the project, is responsible for ensuring it is within a legally approved development plan under the existing legislation.

This one-of-its-kind development in the region is envisioned as a “Green City of the Future”.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow urged all parties to participate and provide their views and ideas in this programme.

“I also request that continuous dissemination be made to all parties so that no one is excluded from giving their insightful views and suggestions.

“The PSI Local Plan will comprehensively translate national, state, and local policies into a statutory plan based on the core features of Smart, Green, and Sustainable Development,” he said in a statement.

In line with the Penang 2030 vision, Chow said Silicon Island has been designed by incorporating the best urban design practices with reference to the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), a 70:30 ratio transportation mode shift, the incorporation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, and prioritising green urban planning.

“The development of Silicon Island is also in line with the Penang Structure Plan 2030and the advice from the National Physical Planning Council,” he added.

Upon completion of this preliminary publicity programme, the state Town and Country Planning Department (JPBD) will produce the PSI 2050 Local Plan draft.

Subsequently, a publicity and public participation programme will be conducted to gather views and feedback from all stakeholders to produce the best local plan document.

The preparation for the RTPSI 2050 involves two main aspects, namely legal and planning requirements.

The preparation is subject to the legal provisions of Sections 12 to 16B of Act 172.

This document must contain proposal maps and written statements supported by implementation guidelines.

RTPSI 2050 will also serve as a detailed reference for all proposals by the local planning authorities for development and land use.

The public is invited to the exhibitions available at JPBD office (57th Floor Komtar), 3rdFloor Komtar, and the Pusat Perkhidmatan Setempat Nelayan Permatang Damar Laut throughout this week from 8am to 4pm to provide suggestions and professional views that can be used as input for RTPSI 2050 draft preparation.

Earlier this month, the High Court here dismissed the judicial review filed by seven fishermen to challenge the planning permission granted by the state Town and Country Planning director last August for the PSI project.

The judicial review was filed alongside Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Jaringan Ekologidan Iklim.

With this ruling, the PSI project can proceed as planned.