Kg Sg Teraban Development Goes On Show In Belait By Liza Mohd

Kuala Belait - The potential border town development of Kampong Sungai Teraban in the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) Local Plan or 'Pelan Perancangan Setempat' is exhibited after the launch of World Town Planning Day in Belait District yesterday.

The plan highlights the potential development of Kampong Sungai Teraban as a border town with the presence of Rasau and Baram (Malaysia) bridge for the comfort of j ourney between both countries. With its strategic location, the kampong should take this opportunity to increase its economic growth.

The DCTP aimed to promote border town development and prepare a work draft for investment growth and development opportunities in line with the policy and strategy of its local plan.

The department also aims to declare Sungai Teraban as a free trade area and prepare a detail development brief and design brief for identified areas as a Local Plan Town Centre Area.

The Sungai Teraban local- plan encompasses 2630 hectares from west of Belait River to the Brunei -Malaysia international border, which include 14 kilometres along the beach from Belait river estuary to Sungai Tujoh. Almost all areas cover forest swamps and BSP concession area.

Kampong Rasau and Kamppng Sungai Teraban have a population of 103 and 941 respectively. They have a primary school, a multi-purpose hall, a clinic and a mosque. The Sungai Teraban local plan cites an unbalanced growth between the east and west of Belait river bank and the lack of economic activities within research areas. The ecology system for the forest swamp areas should be evaluated and researched, like the implication of the Belait River as internal based port.

The land use for-BSP concession land areas should also be evaluated and researched, the local plan said.

The Belait District planning is based on the Brunei Darussalam Master Plan 1987, in particular the Kuala Belait - Seria Development Plan and Remote Area Development Plan.

Both plans are reviewed again as part of the Negara Brunei Darussalam Master Plan formulating development process, which ended 2005. Planning issues in Belait District have been identified and various long term development strategies are considered.

A more precise planning has also been arranged for the Belait District with the preparation of the Belait District Development Plan.

The District Plan will cover strategic development strategy to balance the rate of physical development and economy not only among districts in Brunei Darussalam but also among eight mukims in Belait.

Meanwhile, a few local plans are prepared, which include development plans within mukim and kampong levels. For example, the Kampong Sungai Teraban Local Plan is prepared to assist to reach the developmental objective of Belait District.

The plan will stress on the border town development helped by the strategic location of Sungai Teraban near the country's border.

DTCP Commissioner Awg Hong Kok Seng said said the planning for physical development by DTCP for the country takes into account the whole aspect of important development sectors to understand the future implications of present decisions.

Guests can also view exhibitions as part of town planning approved under the Seventh and Eight National Development plans.

The development plan preparations takes into account the developmental sectors as a whole to reach the vision of a better life for tomorrow such as economy, social, education and others.

To achieve the vision requires the involvement, cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders, including government departments, private sectors, mukim and kampong residents and all layers of communities.

Belait District Officer Haji Mohamad bin Haji Abdul Rahman said to ensure a strong development, comfortable life and a clean and safe area, physical development and progress should be in line with the town development plans and rules. In the preparation of Belait District development plan, the chiefs and heads of villages, village residents, and the members of the public will get involved in its early preparations.

They can participate in dialogue sessions and roadshow by DTCP and provide inputs and suggestions for the betterment of respective districts, mukims and villages. "Public involvement in the early planning level is extremely crucial whereby the need of communities and every developmental sector will be taken into account in the land use planning to ensure a country development strategy".

The stake holder's involvement in any efforts to increase their standards of life should take into account public's prosperity so it won't pose any problems and interfere with the comfort of the community as it could cause an untidy and problematic developmental environment, the chief guest said.

The ceremony, launched with a ribbon cutting and video presentation, continued with a quiz and colouring competition. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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