SINGAPORE - The new Jurong Lake Gardens will be the "more immediate focus" for the redevelopment of the Jurong Lake District, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Wednesday.

This follows the first meeting on Tuesday by the Jurong Lake District steering committee, which is overseeing the area's redevelopment.

Spanning more than 70ha, the "new national gardens in the west" will be a combination of a revamped Jurong Lake Park, Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden, and be integrated with the new Science Centre grounds.

A public consultation on plans for the Gardens will be held in March, and the ideas gathered will go into the brief for a design competition for the Gardens next year, the URA added.

"The view was unanimous around the table that it is rare in any city to find such extensive greenery and water bodies in one area," said Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and chairman of the committee.

"We will engage the public extensively to gather feedback to help shape the district into an outstanding live, work, play district that is sustainable, smart and connected," he added.

The committee also tabled the idea of enhancing the district's connectivity and accessibility with a comprehensive pedestrian and cycling network. It also noted the possibility of transforming the district into a second Central Business District, by siting a high-speed rail terminus there and linking it to the upcoming Jurong Region Line and Cross-Island Line in the area.

The URA added that three workgroups will support the steering committee in overseeing projects in the area. The workgroups will focus on the district's land use master plan, transport infrastructure and Jurong Lake Gardens respectively.

Formed in October, the 14-member committee also includes Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport Josephine Teo, Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee, and experts in areas such as urban planning and science and technology.
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