Forest City On-Track, Following Approval of DEIA and EMP

Forest City On-Track, Following Approval of DEIA and EMP

 

Johor Bahru, 26 March 2015: Country Garden Holdings Ltd. and Esplanade Danga 88 Sdn. Bhd., the joint venture partners that formed Country Garden Pacificview (CGPV) to deliver the Forest City development project, today moved to issue clarification over the project’s status.

 

Datuk Othman, Executive Director of CGPV “Construction work on the Forest City project voluntarily ceased on 16 June 2014 in order for us to conduct, and get approvals from the Department of Environment (DoE), for the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Approval was granted in January 2015 and February 2015 respectively. Given that all necessary documents have been submitted and approved, the project has recommenced, is on track and does not expect any further cessation.”

 

“During the construction period, we will ensure that all environmental preservation, safety, health and environment related measures will be DoE compliant and implemented according to our EMP to minimise inconvenience to the community and environment. These measures include the installation of a double silt curtain and a daily water monitoring system to ensure no major or sustained anomalies were found in the water readings,” added Datuk Othman.

 

Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd encourages all readers or interested parties to visit its microsite cgpvforestcity.wordpress.com or contact the company at countrygardenmalaysia@gmail.com or to askus@countrygarden.com.my for more information.

Forest City Project Recommences as Country Garden Pacificview Prioritises Environmental Mitigation Measures

Forest City Project Recommences as Country Garden Pacificview Prioritises Environmental Mitigation Measures

 

Kuala Lumpur, 19 March 2015– Country Garden Pacificview (CGPV), the master developer for the Forest City project, is pleased to announce that construction work on the project has recommenced following the Department of Environment (DoE)’s approval on its Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) in January 2015 and Environmental Management Plan in February 2015.

 

Covering a total of 3,425 acres, the 4 man-made island Forest City project will be reclaimed in four phases: Island 1, 979 acres; Island 2, 1896 acres; Island 3, 405 acres; and Island 4, 145 acres. The topside development will also be developed concurrently during the reclamation phase of each island. The project is estimated to be completed in 2045.

 

Speaking at the media briefing, Datuk Md. Othman Yusof, Executive Director of CGPV, said: “We are pleased to be able to recommence our work, and, with our proven track record and quality of delivery, we are confident that the project will be completed within our timeline.”

 

In line with its commitment to preserve the environment and ensuring all mitigation measures are in place prior to the recommencement of work, CGPV voluntarily stopped work eight months ago to conduct the DEIA. The DEIA covers measures to minimise or mitigate environmental impacts through integrated and workable solutions, approved by the DoE.

 

“Naturally, during the 20-year construction period, various environmental preservation, safety, health and environment related measures will be implemented according to our EMP to minimise inconvenience to the community and environment.

 

“These measures include the installation of a double silt curtain and a daily water monitoring system to ensure no major or sustained anomalies were found in the water readings. These procedures were implemented to contain and control the dispersion of sedimentation, as well as to preserve the sea grass in the area.

 

“It is also our upmost priority to keep the public informed and ensure that their daily lives will not be disrupted by the project. CGPV will continue its engagement with the community to ensure that their feedback is taken into consideration throughout this development,” Datuk Othman added.

Country Garden Pacificview Confirms Environmental Compliance and Calls for Investigation, Not Speculation on Cause of Fish Death

COUNTRY GARDEN PACIFICVIEW CONFIRMS ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION, NOT SPECULATION ON CAUSE OF FISH DEATH

No major or sustained anomalies in water readings which could potentially point to the death of the fish

 

Johor Bahru: March 15, 2015 – Environment monitoring company Asian Environmental Solutions Sdn. Bhd., today said, “From a water quality perspective, we have been carrying out tests on a daily and monthly basis for the past year and there have been no major or sustained anomalies in the readings which could potentially point to the death of the fish. There could be quite a number of causes, including upstream pollution or a seasonal phenomenon known as plankton bloom.”

 

Last week saw media coverage over the ‘plankton bloom’ phenomenon which has also effected fish stocks and aqua-culture in neighbouring Singapore. Plankton bloom is a phenomenon that occurs periodically and cyclically, during droughts and dry spells such as is being observed in the Johor Straits currently. The phenomenon sees the plankton absorbing more oxygen from the water than normal, ultimately causing the fish to suffocate.

 

Speaking for Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd, Datuk Md Othman, Executive Director said, “It is important to remember that CGPV voluntarily stopped work eight months ago, while we conducted a ‘Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment’ (DEIA). We did this voluntarily so that could be certain that we were working with the environment and not against it. In the planning of the project, we have invested heavily in research to understand every detail such as sediment flow and the hydro-dynamic-impact of our project’s shape, so that we could protect elements of the environment such as sea-grass. The DEIA, which covers the measures proposed to minimise or mitigate environmental impacts through integrated and workable solutions, reaffirmed that our guidelines and standards were compliant.”

 

“With the release and validation of the DEIA, we are only now beginning to prepare for full recommencement of work later in the year. When we do recommence, we will continue to be compliant to the guidelines and work well within the best-practice-standards. It is important to carry out a proper investigation by a marine specialist to try to ascertain the actual cause of death of the fish rather than make a speculative assumption without proper verification.”

Department of Environment (DoE) Approves Country Garden Pacificview’s Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) For 3,425 Acre Forest City Project

Department of Environment (DoE) Approves Country Garden Pacificview’s Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) For 3,425 Acre Forest City Project

CGPV to continue engagement with the communities and to provide regular transparent updates to all parties

 

Johor Bahru, Johor, 14 January 2015 – Country Garden Pacificview (CGPV), the master developer for Forest City Project, is pleased to announce that the Department of Environment (DoE) has granted approval on its Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) for the proposed Forest City lsland Reclamation and Mixed Development. The DEIA covers the measures proposed to minimise or mitigate environmental impacts through integrated and workable solutions which are accepted by the DoE.

 

Speaking about the approval, Datuk Md. Othman, Executive Director, CGPV, said, “Our next step is to ensure that all compliance monitoring, in terms of air, noise, water quality and sediment, are robustly implemented and carried out. This is one of our immediate priorities, minimising the impact to the local communities and ensuring that the surrounding ecology are well preserved.

 

“This is a massive step forward in our goal to bring sustainable development to the State. The project is consistent with the Government’s vision as outlined in the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). Upon completion, it is expected that new job opportunities will be created for vast numbers of citizens.”

 

Amongst the other tangible benefits include diversifying the income base and improving the quality of living of the local communities by providing workshops and training schools in different sectors, rejuvenating the infrastructures in the area, including the building of a new access road, construction of power stations and new water reticulation systems, and more strategically,increase investment activities in the region by creating an investment corridor.

 

“On behalf of CGPV, I’d like to extend my appreciation to all parties who have made their contribution to the DEIA. Rest assured that we will continue to work closely with all stakeholders and regulatory authorities, to ensure the project development always takes into consideration the needs of the communities and the environment,”

 

“At CGPV, we always ensure that our projects are compliant and adopt best practices of governance. We welcome all parties to leave their questions regarding to the Forest City project on countrygardenmalaysia@gmail.com or toaskus@countrygarden.com.my and the responses can be found on cgpvforestcity.wordpress.com,” added Datuk Md. Othman.

Country Garden Pacificview Vows Greater Engagement in Order To Clear-up Any Misconceptions Over Forest City Project

Country Garden Pacificview Vows Greater Engagement in Order To Clear-up Any Misconceptions Over Forest City Project

 

Johor Bahru, Johor – 5 January 2015: Country Garden Pacificview and the Forest City project to reclaim 1,623 hectares of sea to create land for mixed residential and commercial development is a project that, by its nature, has and will continue to generate much interest. In a move to correct any misconceptions and allay any stakeholder concerns, the company has embarked on a path of increased engagement and communication, opening the door for dialogue wherever possible.

 

In response to recent media reports, Datuk Md. Othman, Executive Director, Country Garden Pacificview, said: “This morning, media reported that Malaysia’s Department of Environment (DoE) had formally reduced the land development size of our project. We would like to express our thanks to the news platforms for their interest; and to clarify as there is more to the story.

 

“Country Garden Pacificview is fully compliant with the laws and regulations that govern the development of such projects. We have always taken into consideration the needs of the communities and those of the environments in which we operate. Country Garden Pacificview has infused responsible corporate governance into our DNA and adhering to international standards – even if they are more stringent than local rules and regulations – is an important part of our overall strategy. That said, we accept that we could have addressed questions and concerns more expediently, and we will be more engaging in explaining the project, moving forward.”

 

This morning’s news covered a discussion between DoE Malaysia and Country Garden Pacificview, in relation to the ‘Forest City Project.’ The clarifications to this coverage are:

 

DoE has verbally informed Country Garden Pacificview and will send an official letter soon, to limit the size of the project to less than 1,000 acres.

 

“Country Garden Pacificview is in constant communication with multiple stakeholders and regulatory authorities, ensuring that the project development always takes into consideration the needs of the communities and the needs of the environment. The DoE is one such regulatory authority that we engage and consult to ensure full compliance. 

 

“In the most recent discussions, in late December 2014, DoE and Country Garden Pacificview discussed assessment directives and compliance to high standards. These discussions DO NOT mean that the project size is to be limited or compromised in any way. 

 

“As a company committed to delivering quality projects that complement the environment, the community and the State’s economic growth, we welcome standards and guidelines to elevate the quality profile of the development and the surrounding communities.

 

“When the metrics, monitoring and assessment initiatives have been confirmed, Country Garden Pacificview will share the details in open forum.”

 

Reference was made to a presentation showing that work on the project had continued despite Country Garden Pacificview voluntarily stopping construction of the development.

 

“Country Garden Pacificview voluntarily ceased all construction at the site on the 16^th June 2014. Any modification or change to the landmass is not due to construction, but due to natural displacement. We reiterate that all construction on site has ceased voluntarily, effective 16^th June 2014.

 

“We voluntarily chose to cease construction because the DoE requested a (detailed) Environmental Impact Assessment to accompany the project’s viability assessment and State garnered approvals.

 

“At Country Garden Pacificview, we always ensure that our projects are compliant, adopt best practices of governance and that they fully represent the needs of the communities, the environment and the State’s economic development.

 

“To keep all stakeholders and interested parties up-to-date on the latest developments, and to answer any questions pertaining to the project, we are developing a dedicated online vehicle that will serve as a fully transparent FAQ and query response platform, which will be live by the end-of-the-week – Friday, 9^th January. It is our commitment to answer all questions within 48 hours, subject to volume. As we anticipate a large number of questions and queries, if we don’t respond within 48 hours, please do drop us a line and let us know. It is also our commitment that no question or post will be deleted, unless it is deemed to have abusive or offensive content/language,” explained Datuk Md. Othman, Executive Director, Country Garden Pacificview.

 

You can leave your questions for Country Garden Pacificview and the Forest City project on countrygardenmalaysia@gmail.com or to askus@countrygarden.com.my and the responses can be found on www.cgpvforestcity.wordpress.com