Perennials and grass have been planted at the new Bandar Tenggara public recreational park, which is expected to open early next year. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
A MAJOR project to turn a former landfill into a recreational park in Bandar Tenggara, Kota Tinggi in Johor, is not far off from completion.
The first-of-its-kind Housing and Local Government Ministry project is expected to be ready early next year.
Minister Nga Kor Ming visited the site when it was 90% completed on Sept 6.
An allocation of about RM23mil had been set aside for the project that was being carried out by the National Landscape Department and the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN), said Tenggara MP Manndzri Nasib.
He said it was important for the project to take place because the former landfill was located near SMK Bandar Tenggara 2, which also had student lodgings.
Nga (fourth from left) with Manndzri (on his left), Panti assemblyman Hahasrin Hashim (far left) and government heads in front of the windmill at the recreational park in Bandar Tenggara. — Courtesy photo
The revitalisation project would address issues concerning the landfill including harmful leachate, harmful gases and fires, he said.
Prior to the closure, he said, numerous complaints had been received from the public regarding odour and air pollution, while the landfill had also caught fire a few times.
“The public’s main request was for the landfill to cease operations.
“Having a recreational park on the old site is a positive development as the population in Tenggara is growing,” he added.
“There are also residential areas nearby such as Sayong Pinang, Sayong Indah and Taman Anggerik as well as Felda Sungai Sibol and Felda Penggeli Timur,” Manndzri told StarMetro.
A square is among the amenities offered at the new park aside from pergolas, public toilets and walkways.
With the new park set to open next year, he said Bandar Tenggara would have two recreational parks, with the first in Taman Tasik Ujana.
He said the new park was ideal as a tourism product as it would be able to attract local and foreign visitors.
“I have been made to understand that this will be the biggest landfill turned into a park in Malaysia,” he said, adding that the local economy would benefit with more people visiting the area.
Manndzri said the project showed the government’s commitment in addressing environmental issues in the country.
“It will be a modern park with facilities for families to engage in healthy activities, and will be run fully on sustainable energy.”
He said there was another landfill, near Desa Makmur and Kampung Sungai Pelepah, that would be closed by next June.
“The second landfill site is near the junction heading towards Kota Tinggi waterfalls, Kampung Temenin and Batu 4.
Workers laying out pavers at the project site.
“I hope it will be redeveloped into a park too,” he said.
Manndzri said his service centre would be more proactive in raising awareness regarding environmental stewardship.
“Besides using social media to pass messages on to the younger generation, I will also highlight this in my talks during public events, especially at schools.
“We are also willing to work closely with all quarters to create awareness of the importance of caring for our environment so that we can preserve it for the future generation,” he added.
Eye on sustainability
Housing and Local Govern-ment Ministry said in a media statement that it was committed to preserving the environment through efficient solid waste management for the people’s well-being.
“This initiative is in line with the government’s main pillar, which is sustainability with an aim to respect and love all things living including humans, flora and fauna as well as the environment.
“The ministry has implemented various initiatives for environmental sustainability, including conservation encompassing the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere,” it said.
Firefighters working day and night to put out a fire at the Bandar Tenggara landfill in Kota Tinggi in the past. — Filepic
The construction of a recreational park on the former landfill in Bandar Tenggara was a pilot project, the ministry stated.
“The recreational park was built on a 7.56ha solid waste disposal site, which ceased operations a couple of years ago.
“The site used to deal with almost 50 tonnes of solid waste per day from Bandar Tenggara, Petri Jaya and Taman Sri Lambak since 1999,” it added.
The park, which has incorporated a stroller garden concept, is equipped with landscape components such as pergolas, fences, public toilets, information corner, squares and walkways.
It will also feature a solar-powered windmill as its centrepiece.
The statement also said there would be environmental restoration components too for landfill sites, such as leachate treatment ponds, gas ventilation systems and on-site detention pond.
“The Housing and Local Government Ministry is concerned and is taking on new ideas and concepts of solid waste management to create a clean, sustainable and prosperous country in line with the national cleanliness policy.
“We will continue implementing various initiatives and programmes related to solid waste management to ensure the people’s well-being,” it added.
