FORMATION OF SLA FROM MERGER OF THE LAND OFFICE, SINGAPORE LAND REGISTRY, SURVEY DEPARTMENT AND LAND SYSTEMS SUPPORT UNIT

On 1 June 2001, four Ministry of Law departments - the Land Office, Singapore Land Registry, Survey Department and Land Systems Support Unit merged to form the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). The mandate of SLA was to optimise the use of land for the economic and social development of Singapore.

LAUNCH OF SINGAPORE PROPERTY INFORMATION ONLINE (SPIO)

Launched on 16 October 2002, SPIO is a one-stop portal providing timely State property rental information on about 5,000 State properties. Vacant State properties not earmarked for immediate development are put up for rent in the interim period. The website lists space for residential, commercial, office or institutional use, as well as the latest online updates on tender openings, closings and awards.

STARS ELODGMENT

STARS eLodgment System (ELS) is a web-based electronic lodgment system launched in 2003. It provides easy-to-use electronic forms to help users prepare and submit online, instruments to register land transactions. The status of instruments submitted for registration is tracked via the system. ELS also provides online enquiry of statements of accounts and other billing information. Users are automatically informed via email when instruments are registered and titles ready for collection.

VACANT STATE LAND FOR COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL USE

To better optimise the use of vacant State land, SLA would identify suitable State land for community use. These sites are typically located conveniently within reach of residential estates. SLA regularly maintains these sites and carries out necessary improvement works to ensure that they remain suitable for use. Today, there are approximately 240 community use sites and they are well-utilised by the public for bonding activities.

LAUNCH OF CO-ORDINATED CADASTRE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CADASTRE E-SUBMISSION AND PAPERLESS PROCESSING

In 2004, SLA introduced the co-ordinated cadastre system to replace the old cadastral land survey system. This new system defines property boundaries by co-ordinates, rather than bearings and distances. With the modernisation of our cadastral survey system, it enabled the utilisation of technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and electronic submission to improve data integrity and productivity.

LAUNCH OF IDEAS TENDER SCHEME

The Ideas Tender Scheme was launched in August 2005 to encourage businessmen and entrepreneurs to pursue innovative ideas for uses of State properties. The scheme allowed tenderers to provide new or alternative ideas, instead of restricting them to the pre-approved uses. The successful tenderer's idea would only be revealed at an appropriate time after the tender had been awarded. The scheme was in line with the First Mover Framework, jointly announced by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and it safeguarded the interest of all tenderers while allowing new or alternative ideas to be considered. The Ideas Tender Scheme complemented SLA's current open tender system for renting out State properties.

TANGLIN VILLAGE – AN ENCLAVE OF LIFESTYLE, EDUCATION AND ARTS

To ensure that State properties continue to be optimized, SLA undertook upgrading works in Tanglin Village in August 2006 to cater to the increased traffic and visitors. Two landscaped plazas were built to serve as information points and two electrical power substations were constructed to ensure that there was sufficient power load to cater for the adaptive reuse of the old army barracks. Tanglin Village represents how old State properties are creatively rejuvenated and given a fresh lease of life by entrepreneurs who create their unique value propositions in the village.

LAUNCH OF SIRENT

The Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network (SiReNT) was launched in September 2006. The system is our national reference network infrastructure, developed to support real-time high precision positioning, navigation and tracking. SiReNT ensures reliable and accurate positioning for all land surveying, mapping and geospatial activities.

LANDMARK CHANGE IN THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT FOR MARKET COMPENSATION

Compulsory acquisition has played a pivotal role in Singapore’s national development. The acquisition of private land by the Government is provided for under the Land Acquisition Act. In 2007, a major review was undertaken and amendments to the Land Acquisition Act were made to compensate landowners based on the market value of the acquired properties as at the date of gazette.

DIFFERENTIAL PREMIUM REVIEW

Land with title restrictions are subject to levy of Differential Premium (DP) for enhancement in land value. For transparency to the industry, the DP system is aligned with URA’s Development Charge (DC) system. Hence, in year 2007 when URA revised the DC rates from 50% to 70% to allow the Government to capture the gains from value enhancement, SLA similarly adjusted our DP computation to 70% based on the published Table of DC rates.

SLA MOVES TO REVENUE HOUSE

SLA moved from Temasek Towers to Revenue House on 24 Nov 2008. The move was in line with the Government’s efforts to ease the shortage of office space in the central area. Through better optimisation of space usage, we scaled down our space requirements by 24 per cent.

FIRST SINGAPORE SPATIAL CHALLENGE

On 23 April 2008, the final eight shortlisted teams for SLA’s first-ever Singapore Spatial Challenge pitted their skills against one another to win not only cash but also the coveted honour of being the inaugural champion of the Challenge. The competition aims to increase the awareness of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology in students, and encourage innovative uses of GIS within their community.

SLA CO-ORGANISED MAP ASIA 2009

In 2009, SLA organised the first international geospatial conference in Singapore in collaboration with GIS Development (currently known as Geospatial Media). The event attracted about 1,220 participants from 32 countries across the world. The conference theme “Connecting Communities and Creating New Dimensions” called on stakeholders to collaborate and raise the profile of the industry locally as well as globally.

LAUNCH OF ONEMAP

The first intelligent map information system OneMap was launched on 31 March 2010. A multi-agency initiative, this interactive map system is an integrated online geospatial platform that provides reliable, timely and accurate location-based information and services to the public.

SLA RANKED 1ST OF 26 PARTICIPATING AGENCIES AT PRO-ENTERPRISE PANEL (PEP) AND SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION (SBF) AWARDS

In 2010, SLA emerged as the most improved agency and clinched the top position in the 2010 Pro-Enterprise Survey. This could be attributed to our focus on enhancing customer responsiveness and continuously reviewing our systems and procedures to keep pace with market development. SLA also actively sought to collaborate with other agencies to provide an integrated solution and response to the public on State land and regulatory matters.

SLA CO-ORGANISED GSDI 12 WORLD CONFERENCE

The GSDI 12 World Conference was held in October 2010 and was jointly organised by SLA together with the GSDI Association and the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP). The conference’s theme was “Realising Spatially Enabled Societies” which reflected the vast potential for geospatial and location data to augment information, processes and decision making for individuals and the society.

CREATION OF 3D DIGITAL TERRAIN MODEL OF SINGAPORE

Singapore’s high resolution Digital Terrain Model (DTM) was created in 2011 based on satellite imagery. A DTM is a digital model or 3D representation of a continuous surface of terrain and it represents the bare ground surface without any objects like plants and buildings. In 2014, the DTM was updated with laser scanning data and the accuracy was improved.

AMENDMENTS TO SAFEGUARDING OF CONVEYANCING MONIES AND SETUP OF EPI SYSTEM

The Electronic Payment Instructions System (ePI) is a web-based solution launched in August 2011 to safeguard conveyancing monies. ePI leverages on the STARS eLodgment System (ELS) and the Integrated Land Information Services (INLIS) to provide a secure digital environment for the preparation of pay-out instructions. To withdraw money from a conveyancing account, the respective lawyers for the vendor and purchaser digitally sign, in ELS, the pay-out instruction with a Netrust token. The mortgagee/ chargee retrieves the signed pay-out instruction via INLIS. They rely on the Netrust digital signatures to verify the authenticity of the pay-out instruction before processing the release of conveyancing monies to facilitate the completion of the sale and purchase.

RETURN OF THE FORMER RAILWAY LAND

SLA was part of the Malaysia-Singapore Relocation Sub-Committee which coordinated the relocation of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station and vesting of the former railway land. Under the Points of Agreement between Singapore and Malaysia, the KTMB station was relocated from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands Train Checkpoint on 1 July 2011, with Singapore resuming ownership over approximately 24km of Malayan Railway land south of Woodlands Train Checkpoint on the same day. SLA also removed and handed over the railway tracks and ancillary structures along the former railway land to Malaysia on schedule by 31 December 2011.

COLLABORATION BETWEEN SLA AND NYP TO HARNESS THE POTENTIAL OF GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

On 7 November 2012, SLA and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on geospatial education, training, research and development. This strategic partnership would enable both organisations to tap into each other’s expertise and resources in promoting the use of geospatial information system and technology in Singapore. In addition, SLA would award a SLA Geospatial Scholarship annually from 2013 to 2015 to an outstanding final year student in the Geospatial and Mobile Innovation specialisation track under the Diploma in Information Technology Programme in NYP’s School of Information Technology (SIT).

EVENTS AT TANJONG PAGAR RAILWAY STATION(TPRS)

Since April 2012, many events such as fashion shows, photography sessions and exhibitions have been held at TPRS. In 2015, SLA opened TPRS to the public on public holidays for people to visit the historical monument to enjoy its history and charm. On 9 August 2015, TPRS hosted the SLA SG50 Carnival and carried a live-telecast of the National Day Parade to celebrate Singapore's Golden Jubilee, which attracted 20,800 visitors.

FIRST PRICE AND QUALITY TENDER

From November 2013, a revised tender evaluation process was used to evaluate bids put in by childcare and kindergarten operators for State-owned properties. This was a joint effort by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and the SLA to further improve the quality and affordability of pre-school centres operating on State properties.

4GLAMS – USE OF MOBILE APP FOR STATE LAND INSPECTION

Launched in January 2013, 4gLAMS incorporates the latest mobile technologies to facilitate data collection and decision-making. 4gLAMS allows officers to reach their desired destinations in the shortest time and enables them to “check-in” at land sites and upload photos which will be recorded in the backend support system.

OPENING OF COMMUNITY PLAYFIELDS

The playfields of three former educational institutions have been progressively opened for public use since 2014, to provide more space for outdoor sports and recreational purposes. The first field that was opened was the former Manjusri Secondary School, located at 149 Sims Drive. The other two sites were at the former ITE Clementi and ITE Tampines, at 6 Lempeng Drive and 2 Tampines Street 92, respectively. Today, 240 State fields located throughout Singapore are open for public enjoyment as part of SLA’s commitment to optimise vacant State land for the benefit of the community.

AERIAL MAPPING TO CREATE 3D MAPS OF TERRAIN AND BUILDINGS

In 2014, SLA embarked on the national 3D mapping project. In its first phase, an airborne laser scanning and imaging aircraft was flown over Singapore to collect 3D point cloud and imagery data of the whole nation. These sets of data were used to create the first 3D maps of Singapore which would be the key component to support the development of a Smart Nation.

VIRTUAL SINGAPORE

Together with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), SLA is working on the development of Virtual Singapore. As an authoritative 3D digital platform, Virtual Singapore is intended for users from different sectors to develop sophisticated tools and applications for test-bedding concepts and services, planning and decision-making, and research on technologies to solve emerging and complex challenges for Singapore.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PAPERLESS TITLES SCHEME

The Paperless Titles Scheme was implemented in May 2014. It removed the need for the printing of the digitised title document for properties which were charged or mortgaged to a participating entity. Opportunities for fraud and the risk of losing the title document were reduced thereby benefitting property owners. As for the participating entities, they enjoyed savings in time and storage cost as they no longer had to safe-keep the paper title documents. The scheme would be made mandatory for all mortgaged properties with digitised titles in June 2017.

LAUNCH OF ONE HISTORICAL MAP

SLA collaborated with National Heritage Board (NHB) to launch the One Historical Map app in December 2015 to celebrate SG50. The crowd-sourcing app offers users a convenient way to compare modern Singapore streetscapes to those of yesteryears. Users could also contribute to the geographical history of Singapore by geo-tagging their personal photographs of Singapore and sharing them with the public.

PRICE AND QUALITY TENDER WITH STB FOR BLKS 17 AND 18 DEMPSEY ROAD

SLA is committed to the continued optimisation of State properties to meet social and economic needs. In collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board (STB), SLA awarded the first Price and Quality (PQ) tender site at Blocks 17 and 18 Dempsey Road for retail and food and beverage (F&B) use. The joint effort between the SLA and the STB aimed to rejuvenate and strengthen Tanglin Village’s position as a unique lifestyle enclave and encourage the development of interesting lifestyle concepts. The PQ tender was adopted to allow the Government to assess operators’ bids more holistically in terms of the quality of their proposals.

MOBILE MAPPING TO CREATE 3D MAPS

The first comprehensive mobile mapping project was commissioned in mid-2015 as phase two of the national 3D mapping project. This project was carried out to collect a ground-based laser scanning and 360 panoramic imagery dataset of approximately 6,000 km of roads. The data collected was used to create 3D models of road and street furniture.

LAUNCH OF NEW SIRENT

SLA launched the new SiReNT system which has the capability to support Global Satellite Navigation Systems from Russia, Europe, United States, Japan and China. The new revamped SiReNT improves real-time high precision positioning, navigation and tracking and supports the autonomous vehicle initiative in Singapore.

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO FACILITATE THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERGROUND SPACE

Amendments to the State Lands Act and the Land Acquisition Act were made to facilitate the Government’s long-term planning for the use and development of underground space by clarifying the extent of subterranean land ownership and providing for the acquisition of specific strata of space. More extensive use of underground space in land-scarce Singapore will benefit all Singaporeans as surface land may be used for other purposes, such as parks and greenery, homes and offices.

SLA RANKED 2ND OF 28 PARTICIPATING AGENCIES FOR PRO-ENTERPRISE AGENCY AWARD AT PRO-ENTERPRISE PANEL (PEP) AND SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION (SBF) AWARDS

At the Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) Awards Ceremony on 25 November, SLA received the PEP-SBF award for achieving 2nd place out of 28 participating public agencies based on a survey conducted annually to assess Government agencies with regulatory functions on how business-friendly they were. Our improvement from 3rd position in 2014 indicated that SLA was moving in the right direction towards the development of a stronger pro-enterprise regulatory environment in Singapore.

CREATION OF 3D MAPS OF SINGAPORE

SLA would complete the national 3D mapping project by end 2016. The 3D digital model would be used by the public, private and people (3P) and research sectors.

IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW INTEGRATED MODEL FOR MANAGEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL STATE PROPERTIES BY SLA’S AGENT

Knight Frank Property Asset Management won the tender under the modified integrated model, which included modifications to better incentivise Managing Agents (MAs) to maintain properties by specifying a minimum annual expenditure to be spent on routine and cyclical maintenance. This modified model is intended to influence MAs to adopt the right behaviour in maintaining State properties while retaining manpower savings.

START OF DATA CONVERSION OF HDB LEASES INTO DIGITAL FORMAT

Having completed the enhancement to the Singapore Titles Automated Registration System (STARS) last year, SLA has started the process of converting all paper records of HDB leases into electronic format. Scheduled for completion in 2019, this massive exercise would bring about a fully digitised platform through which online transactions could be performed with greater ease in the future.