ECo Day Out at South West 2012 - South West Climate Change Strategy
The ECo Day Out at South West was held on 15th January 2012 at Hong Kah North Community Club. The carnival was organised by South West Community Development Council, National Environment Agency (South West Regional Office) and Hong Kah North Citizens Consultative Committee. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources graced the event and witnessed the launch of the South West Climate Change Strategy e-book. Through this e-book, the SWCDC aims to support the National Climate Change Strategy 2012 in meeting Singapore's target of reducing its carbon emissions by 7 to 11% of BAU levels by 2020. The e-book format is not only an eco-friendly way to publish an addendum to the district’s 10-year ECo Plan, it also serves as an online channel to engage and collect feedback from the community throughout the year. The community can access the e-book through the following link: http://southwestclimatechangestrategy.com/
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| Launch of "South West Climate Change Strategy"
From left to right: Mr Jimmy Tay, PBM, Mr Andrew Tan, CEO (National Environment Agency), Ms Low Yen Ling, Adviser to Bukit Gombak Grassroots Organisations, Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District, and Minister of State, Ministry of Health, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Adviser to Keat Hong Grassroots Organisations, Mr David Ong, BBM, Mr Tan Kin Teo, BBM, Mr Low Peng Kit, BBM(L) and Ms Rosemarie Chong, PBM |
During the carnival, the SWCDC's 7th Public Health Awards was presented to deserving organisations for their exemplary efforts towards a clean district. The West Coast division claimed the "Highest Level of Ownership - A community that Does Not Spread Bugs" award for the third time and Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre won the "Clean, Dry and Sparkling Public Toilet" award for the fifth consecutive year. These are testaments to the tireless and continuous effort of our community partners in maintaining a clean environment.
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| GOH and Mayor taking a picture together with the 7th Public Health Award winners |
GOH and the guests also toured and visited the workshop booths, exhibitions and recycling redemption corner where they interacted with the residents.
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| Students from Corporation Primary School making door tags out of recyclables. |
Student volunteers from Nan Hua High School promoting dengue prevention and litter-free messages. |
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| Happy smiles from residents participating in "Trash for Groceries" programme at the carnival. |
GOH weighing a bag of recyclables collected by residents. |
As a prelude to ECo Day Out at South West 2012, the "Clean-Up South West" recycling drive was conducted at 24 locations throughout South West district on 8th January. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the annual recycling drive which had its humble beginnings in Hong Kah North division. A total of 12.5 tonnes of paper, 11.4 tonnes of clothing, 5,300 plastic bottles and 1,400 aluminium cans were collected from the residents in a day! The programme managed to raise a total of $60,000, including generous donations from Lee Foundation, Koh Kock Leong Enterprise Pte Ltd, Sumitomo Chemical and affiliated companies, to benefit the St Luke's Eldercare Centre (Clementi). The donation is channelled into retrofitting a vehicle, which will ferry about 100 elderly receiving rehabilitation treatment to and from their homes to the treatment centres. Apart from donations, Sumitomo Chemical staff also participated in the collection of recyclables.
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| Youth volunteers from Lam Soon CC YEC helping out with the recyclable collection during Clean Up South West! |
We recycle, so can you! |
The residents have certainly demonstrated a strong community spirit, as aptly quoted by Mayor Dr Amy Khor, "Together as a community, we will co-create solutions towards a sustainable and liveable South West district for ourselves and our children - a place where we can all be proud of."