Residents at Jalan Batu, an estate near Mountbatten Road, raised their concerns over a proposed expansion of an existing daily rehabilitation centre at a dialogue session with their Member of Parliament, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, on Monday night.
The proposed expansion would include more space for physiotherapy and occupational therapy, but they would take up 30 per cent of the void deck space of Block 10 and 11.
While residents said last night they "do not object to having a daily rehabilitation centre", some felt it would be better to have a more "sustainable place" when constructing the centre, thereby saving time and money.
Some residents also raised other concerns, such as how the expansion would take away the void deck space for their children to play and traffic congestion in the area.
The authorities had identified the site as ideal for the expansion as it had met "technical requirements" such as having high ceilings to accommodate rehabilitation machines.
The Health Ministry wants to expand home and community based care centres in Singapore as part of an effort to support ageing in place against a backdrop of an ageing population.
By 2030, more than 900,000 seniors would be 65 and above.
The Mountbatten area has a large population of elderly residents - about 12.3 per cent of residents in the area are currently above 65 years old, higher than the national average of 9.3 per cent. Some 13 per cent of the residents are between 55 to 64, slightly higher than the national average of 12.4 per cent.
Speaking to reporters on Monday night, Mr Lim felt that the concerns raised by residents during the two-hour long dialogue were "valid" as they "stay and use the void deck". Mr Lim added that he "will consider all suggestions" made by the residents as the "purpose of feedback is to hear them".
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