Another land reclamation plan in Penang, involves 400ha off Butterworth
Another huge land reclamation project is in the pipeline in Penang, this time on the mainland side of the state involving a 400ha area at waters situated parallel with the Penang Port.
The Department of Environment (DOE) yesterday announced that it is reviewing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project, which will extend from the Bagan Ajam area to Teluk Air Tawar in Butterworth...
Another huge land reclamation project is in the pipeline in Penang, this time on the mainland side of the state involving a 400ha area at waters situated parallel with the Penang Port.
The Department of Environment (DOE) yesterday announced that it is reviewing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project, which will extend from the Bagan Ajam area to Teluk Air Tawar in Butterworth.
This comes less than a week after the authority revoked its approval for the Penang South Islands (PSI) project’s EIA report - also a massive land reclamation plan - following public outcry over its impact on Penang's valuable fishing ground and livelihood of fisherfolks.
According to the report published yesterday, a Kuala Lumpur-based company, Rayston Consortium (Butterworth) Sdn Bhd, is listed as the proponent of the Butterworth project.
It stated that the 407ha site is earmarked for a mixed development project. The proposal also includes reclamation of another 11.4ha on the outer part for a promenade and the construction of a sandy beach area the size of 25ha.
The total sand required for the reclamation is estimated at 41 million cubic metres, which the company plans to source from marine sand from off the coast of north Perak.
For the record, Rayston Consortium had first signed an agreement with the Penang government to do reclamation works at the location in 1999.
According to property news portal Penang Property Talk, the project had since been delayed, until the company and state government signed a supplementary agreement in 2018.
It said the long delay was due to works to relocate some 1,700 squatters along the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) alignment, Bagan Ajam and its surroundings.
Rayston reportedly was given six months to submit planning approval then, including an EIA approval for the project.
However, the plan did not sit well with the fishing community in Seberang Perai, which launched a protest in 2019.
Among their claims then were that many issues related to the project had remained unsolved, including compensation to the affected fisherfolk.
Impact to fisherfolk
Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd, the EIA Consultant hired by Rayston, had listed a number of possible impacts the project would have on the environment and proposed methods to mitigate the risks.
They include risks of plume sediment and murky water that would injure fishes, and emigration of marine life from the area, among others.
It also noted that the project would have a socio-economic impact on the income of fisherfolks and the level of production by local small-medium enterprises and restaurants.
"Project proponent to cooperate with the state government and relevant agencies to come out with a development plan that will benefit the community and safeguard the environment," the report states.
EIA report will stay published until Oct 12
In its announcement yesterday, DOE invited the public to give their feedback on the EIA report which will stay published until Oct 12.
"The public is invited to give comments by sending feedback based on their study of the EIA report within the period that has been set," it said.
The link to the page where the public can send their feedback can be accessed here.
On Sept 8, the DOE Appeal Board revoked the agency's approval for the PSI project’s EIA report.
The revocation was the result of a successful appeal by local fishing community leader Zakaria Ismail.
The project was planned at the south side of Penang Island and involves reclaiming three artificial islands to build industrial zones, tourist attractions, education hubs and housing projects, including affordable housing.
The islands were planned to span 1,821ha, equivalent to the size of about 2,550 football fields.
