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THE Penang government, through the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), launched the publicity and public participation programme for the 2030 Local Plan (island) Draft (DRTPP2030) in George Town today.
Spearheaded by MBPP, the Local Plan is an official document that contains a list of comprehensive development planning strategies on the island until 2030.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the plan contained seven key areas and 58 action plans.
The mission of the Local Plan is to drive Penang towards a smarter, greener and harmonious state.
The seven pillars include employment centre and potential investment areas, housing, mobility and transport, environment and ecosystem services, disaster management, heritage, and infrastructure and utilities.
“The purpose of this publicity and public participation programme is to ensure the people are in the know of the developments in Penang while getting their feedback and opinions on the proposed initiatives.
“This is important because we are a state that prioritises the needs of the people.
“And as for making our state smarter, greener and a harmonious environment for all, this Local Plan is highly driven based on existing state policies, such as the Penang2030 vision and the Penang Structure Plan 2030.
“With that, I encourage the public to actively participate in this programme,” Yew said during the announcement of the programme at the Syed Al-Attas Mansion in Armenian Street today.
The programme, which started on Oct 14, will be held until Dec 13 this year; and it will be held at two venues, namely, the Syed Al-Attas Mansion and Makerspace in Balik Pulau.
In a related development, the Local Government Act 1976 has stated that the public has the right to provide its views and objections, if any, to the Local Plan draft before it gets approved by the state government.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to officiate the ceremony, thanked the mayor and his team at MBPP for their effort in making this programme a reality.
“This is not just any draft but a document that will play a key role in attracting more investments to Penang in the future.
“This Local Plan draft must be carried out in the most responsible manner, full of integrity, efficiency and accountability for the benefit of the people and our state,” Chow said in his speech.
Also present during the event were state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo and state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud