Current revised probably completion dates for Waterway Sunrise II in Punggol range from Q4 2022 to Q1 2023, bringing the total waiting time to approximately 5.5 years. Source: HDB
Buyers of flats at Waterway Sunrise II, a Build-to-Order (BTO) project in Punggol, will be compensated after its completion has been delayed by over one year, said the Housing and Development Board (HDB) on 9 October.
“This is the only project, among the current 94 BTO projects, where the delay has exceeded one year,” noted HDB.
Launched in February 2017, Waterway Sunrise II comprises seven blocks with 1,014 flats. It was originally expected to be completed between Q1 2021 and Q2 2021.
But its completion date was revised to Q1 2022 and Q2 2022 due to the “poor performance and subsequent failure” of the project’s original contractor Lian Ho Lee Construction in August 2020.
In October 2020, a replacement contractor – Expand Construction – was brought on board by HDB.
However, COVID-19 induced challenges such as disruptions to material supplies and manpower shortages from the tightening of border controls has led to further delays.
“As a result, the blocks in Waterway Sunrise II are now expected to be completed six to nine months after their Delivery Possession Date (DPD), which is the legal contractual date by which HDB is required under the Agreement for Lease to deliver possession of the flat,” said HDB.
“Hence, HDB will be making compensation to flat buyers for the delay.”
Waterway Sunrise II’s revised probable completion dates currently range from Q4 2022 to Q1 2023, with a total waiting time of about 5.5 years.
“HDB has reached out to the flat buyers of Waterway Sunrise II to inform them of the latest development, and will continue to keep them updated as construction progresses.”
To minimise further inconvenience, HDB revealed that it would be disbursing to all Waterway Sunrise II flat buyers the maximum reimbursement amount they are eligible for under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, without requiring them to submit claims or proof of expenses.
First-time flat buyers unable to find alternative interim housing arrangements with relatives, family members or on the open market can also apply for temporary housing under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS).
For affected flat buyers who opt to cancel their BTO flat booking to purchase a resale flat due to urgent housing needs, HDB said it would consider waiving the forfeiture as well as the one-year wait out period.
Meanwhile, HDB shared it will continue working closely with Expand Construction to expedite construction works.
These include working with the contractor to engage a second precast supply source and diversify their sources of precast components to address disruptions to its precast supply arising from Malaysia’s Movement Control Orders.
“At the same time, we are also prioritising manpower allocation for this project to help the contractor expedite construction works, while ensuring that adequate safety management measures are in place on site,” said HDB.
“We will continue to do more to help the contractor complete the project, so that our flat buyers can collect their keys and move into their new homes as soon as possible.”
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Cheryl Chiew, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this story, email: cheryl@propertyguru.com.sg.
