The Malaysian Insight

THE state government is working to get the Penang Green Connectors Project off the ground. 

The massive undertaking to build coastal parks stretching from Tanjung Tokong in the north of the island to Batu Maung in the south will also see Penang create a series of linear parks along the rivers to connect the sea to the hills.

The project covers 18,000ha of land and is part of the Penang 2030 Vision, which includes making the state the greenest and most liveable city in Asia.

However, it is still undetermined how much the 10-year project – a collaborative effort between George Town Conservation and Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (GTCDC) and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) – will cost Penang.

Local government, housing, town and country planning executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo said upon completion, the project would form a green network that would include a 50km coastal park and 65km of blue connectors, or rivers.

He said the project would bring social, economic and environmental benefits.

“It will significantly increase waterfront recreational amenity for Penangites; improve liveability to attract talent, skills and investment; bring environmental benefits like the creation of ecology corridors and cooling effects to mitigate climate change,” he said.

Jagdeep said the work on the plan would start with a number of pilot projects.

“We will restore 13km of Sg Prai (on the mainland). We are exploring the possibility of having Sg Juru becomw part of this network,” he said today after introducing the Ecodeck bicycle lane and pedestrian walkway project.

Other pilot projects will include connecting Gurney Wharf to Padang Kota in the city through boardwalks and coastal embankment stabilisation; and improving accessibility to Sg Bagan Jermal that flows from the Botanic Gardens.

“Once completed, this will allow people to walk, run and cycle from the Botanic Gardens to Gurney Wharf, along the coast to the Clan Jetties in Pengkalan Weld, and Karpal Singh Drive to Batu Maung,” Jagdeep said.

An inter-governmental agency workshop will be held on January 10 to finetune the execution plan.

On the RM40 million Ecodeck, Jagdeep said the state would seek funds from the Local Government and Housing Ministry

The Ecodeck is a 6km cycling lane and pedestrian walkway along the tourist belt of Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi, stretching from the Hotel Flamingo beachfront in Tanjung Bungah to Raya Sayang Resort in Batu Ferringhi. 

The Ecodeck is also part of the Penang Bicycle Route Master Plan that aims to build about 200km of bicycle lanes on the island.

Penang Mayor Yew Tung Seang said Penang is known to be a bicycling state so the authorities should keep enhancing its facilities. – January 3, 2019.