THERE has been some concern over how much green and natural spaces remain on Penang island in light of construction and redevelopment activities that are taking place at a persistent pace.
Questions have also been raised about the population density in the urban spaces, particularly in George Town.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) revealed today that in fact forestry areas dominate the island, covering nearly half of its land area.
Forests account for 45.66 percent of non-built areas on the island followed by agricultural land (14.04 percent), open and recreation spaces (1.68 percent), areas with water resources (1.13 percent), and undeveloped land (6.19 percent).
Coastal inland reserves make up about 0.17 percent of the total land mass of the island.
MBPP released the data in an early publicity campaign for the revised draft of the Penang Island Local Plan, which it hopes to fully complete later this year.
Penang island is one of the few urban areas in the country with no local plan in place.
The revised draft is on display at five separate locations throughout the island for the public to peruse and provide feedback.
The council’s planning and development division director Mohd Bashir Sulaiman said that for built-up land areas residential spaces take up 13.47 percent, transport facilities 7.51 percent, institutions and public amenities 4.94 percent, commercial buildings 2.65 percent, industries 1.9 percent, and infrastructure or public utilities 0.66 percent.
Speaking during a briefing on the progress of the draft, Bashir said that the data clearly reflect that Penang has good quality of life to offer and residential units take up much of the built-up land on the island.
The local plan governs the needs of 791,200 islanders' land use over a total area of 300.129 sq km.
Of this population base recorded last year on the island, 550,600 reside in the George Town district, also known as the Northeast, with a density of 4,403 residents per sq km.
The Balik Pulau district, also known as the Southwest, has 240,600 residents with a density of 1,360 residents per sq km.
Ratepayers encouraged to give feedback
State Local Government Executive Councillor Jason H'ng Mooi Lye launched the early publicity campaign at City Hall in George Town today. Also present was Mayor Datuk Anthony Rajendran.
H'ng wants every ratepayer to be conscious of the revised local plan draft, as it plays an important role on the liveability level on the island.
He spoke on the importance of participating in the public engagement by offering views, either in person or online, to guide MBPP in the preparation of the comprehensive plan.
Rajendran said that MBPP is also taking cognisance of the water crisis in the state and will consider views to ensure that each residential area has large storage tanks to cope with water disruptions. These can also be helpful when there is a prolonged drought.
H'ng noted that the ongoing Silicon Island reclamation project will come under the jurisdiction of MBPP.
The latest local plan will encompass all planning for Penang Island, including the mega Silicon Island reclamation off Batu Maung and the proposed light rail transit system (LRT) which will run parallel on the island and in Seberang Perai.
The publicity exhibition for the draft local plan ends on February 29.
It is now on display at five public locations – the City Hall at the Esplanade, the third floor in Komtar, the George Town land and district office, Queensbay Mall, and at the lobby of the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP). – The Vibes, January 26, 2024
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