Hong Kah North resident Yong Kuo Hoong’s morning mists over Kranji Marshes won 2nd prize last year.
The CCK Town annual Calendar Photo Contest is back! 12 resident shutterbugs can look forward to getting their photos showcased in our 2024 calendar.
Show How the Living is Better in CCK Town
This year, we are calling for residents to portray how living is greener and better in CCK Town because of its:
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- Abundant nature and beauty found in our parks & green spaces;
- Fun & friendly places for socialising, from playgrounds to fitness corners, community gardens to BBQ pits; and
- Sustainable and green practices.
The fun playgrounds at The Arena @ Keat Hong helped Bukit Batok resident Gina Ng clinch a spot in 2023’s calendar.
CCK Town is home to close to 300 hectares of public park & Singapore’s first gazetted wetland reserve, Sungei Buloh.
Our town is also making strides towards greener living as a designated eco-town.
Did you know that 250 blocks have been fitted out with rooftop solar panels? They power the lifts and corridor lights, saving 23 million kg worth of carbon emissions to date. (Psst, the savings is equivalent to one person taking return flights from Paris to New York for 23,000 times!)
12 winning shots will be showcased in CCK Town’s 2024 calendar.
This year’s prizes
- 1st prize: $400 NTUC FairPrice vouchers & Fujifilm Instax Mini Smartphone Printer (worth over $200)
- 2nd prize: $300 NTUC FairPrice vouchers & Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Holiday Travel Kit – Black (worth about $160)
- 3rd prize: $200 NTUC FairPrice vouchers
- 4th to 12th prize: $50 NTUC FairPrice vouchers
Snap and win! Send in your entries via the online contest form or email corpcomms@ccktc.org.sg by 15 October 2023.
Winners will be revealed in December 2023.
See Terms & Conditions here.
8 lucky winners have won a CCK Town limited edition gift pack for showing off their SG spirit and colours at home or around their estate. Here are their winning photos.
Wearing their love for Singapore on their block. Photo by Tan Le En (CCK estate)
Little Arunkumar Tulasi saluting the nation. Photo by Dhivya Chockalingam (Hong Kah North)
Sunshine Villas – all decked out for National Day. Photo by Susan Choo (Bukit Gombak)
Happy 58th National Day, Singapore! Photo by Jasmine Sim Mui Eng (Chua Chu Kang estate)
Valerie Koh (far right) with her friends. Photo by Valerie Koh (Hong Kah North)
Showing off her love for the nation. Photo by Lua Su Yean (Brickland)
Love for the nation crosses generations. Photo by Lim Chwee Lian (Chua Chu Kang estate)
Little Engels shows us it’s never too young to show your love for Singapore. Photo by Engel’s mother (Keat Hong)
National Day may be over but you can still celebrate your love for SG by hanging your flag till 30 September.
Beyond the National Day period, the national flag and its image can now be used on attire for non-commercial purposes all year round.
We may also get more opportunities to fly the national flag from our homes other than National Day under the recent change of rules governing the use of Singapore’s national symbols, such as the flag, crest and anthem.
The new National Symbols Act and its Regulations allow for wider use of some symbols for citizens to express their national pride and solidarity.
Congratulations to Eleen Koay (Brickland), Ting Siew Khim (CCK estate) and Ng Chee Wee (Bukit Gombak) for coming out tops in CCK Town’s latest eco contest!
For her upcycling effort, Eleen won the top prize of an HP Envy 6020 All-printer.
Siew Khim’s suggestions show us that old is still gold when it comes to water-saving efforts the traditional way and was awarded the second prize, an HP Deskjet 2722e printer.
Chee Wee took home the consolation prize of an HP Pavilion Wayfarer Backpack for his idea which helps one get fit and conserve electricity.
Let’s find out more from the three of them on how to reduce, reduce and recycle.
Reuse, Recycle & Upcycle as Eleen did
Having a carpenter father and a seamstress mother meant Eleen grew up watching her parents tinker with things. Naturally, she picked up their hands-on habit. Thus, when she noticed that her sofa was beginning to break down earlier this year, inspiration struck.
“The springs in the sofa were broken but the leather was still in very good condition. At the same time, I noticed that our dining chairs were looking quite worn and needed replacement,” the 33-year-old research engineer said.
She thought, why not use the leather, cushions and padding from the sofa to give her dining chairs a new lease of life? She bounced the idea off her parents, who gamely said: “Sure, that sounds workable!”
So, one weekend before Chinese New Year, Eleen, her husband and her parents stripped off the worn cloth seats from the dining chairs, took apart the sofa and got to work cutting up the cushions and leather of the sofa to make new dining seats.
By the end of the day, Eleen had six beautiful dining chairs. She even got a set of baby pillows and bolsters made from the leftover stuffing for her two children.
“The wood in the sofa was not of very good quality, otherwise, we would have made small cupboards or side tables with them. If I had the equipment to work with metal, maybe we could have done something with the sofa’s metal frame too,” she added. “There are lots of possibilities when it comes to upcycling. It’s just a matter of how creative you want to be.”
For example, her sister once made a side table out of her old car tyres. In her family, when something is broken, the first thing they will try to do is to see if it can be fixed. If it can’t, they will think about whether they can make something else out of it.
“I think it is wasteful to just throw things away because everything is so expensive,” she said.
‘Reduce’ as Siew Khim did
For Siew Khim, living sustainably is as natural as breathing. As someone who follows the news, she understood the threat of global warming is real.
“Every one of us can play a small part,” she said. The need to conserve resources is especially acute in a small country like Singapore which does not have natural resources, she added.
Her contribution is to conserve water and electricity wherever possible. For example, she grew up collecting water in a pail and showering with a water scoop and continues to do so even now at age 55. She also uses a mug for brushing her teeth instead of leaving the water running.
She uses LED lights at home, turns off electrical appliances when not in use, and recycles all the plastic packaging to use as trash bags. She also recycles batteries and other IT gadgets into e-waste bins.
Her effort to reduce the use of water and electricity helps her to keep her utility bills for her 4-room flat around $50 to $60 a month. She encourages her neighbours to live more sustainably too by offering to take their items for recycling to the correct recycling points.
Reduce as Chee Wee did
Application engineer Chee Wee, 35, is a sustainability advocate at work, and he brings the practice home as well.
He said: “I’ll always try to see what are the easy and doable tasks that can be done frequently to make an eco-difference.”
For instance, instead of using the lift, he takes the stairs when going up or down two or three storeys. Since lifts consume the most electricity when in motion, he explained that by not using the lift, he is helping to reduce the use of electricity while getting some exercise at the same time.
“Climbing the stairs reduces electricity use, is very easy to do, makes an impact and the bonus is, you get a healthier you,” he quipped.
He also tries to conserve resources in other everyday tasks such as reusing water from the washing of vegetables.
“Such mindful practices will go a long way. We just need to get started somewhere,” he added.
Congratulations to all our eco-winners! Their ideas and actions show us how we can make the 3Rs of reduce, reduce and recycle part of our daily life. Let’s all get sustainable to create a greener future for all!
It’s time to take action against litter!
You can make a difference! In support of SG Clean Day on Sunday, 30 July 2023, you may want to gather your family, friends and neighbours to conduct litter-picking activities in your neighbourhood together.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind all residents to bin the trash and keep the environment litter-free.
Together, let’s create a cleaner and safer Chua Chu Kang Town for all!
Residents Aadon & Aadelynn proudly showing off our SG flag
Let’s paint CCK Town red & white! Show the nation how much we love SG by flying our SG flag this National Day!
To celebrate National Day, our national flag can be put up at home from 1 July to 30 September 2023.
Before you fly yours, make sure that the flag is in good condition. It should not be torn, tattered or showing signs of age.
Ensure it is facing the right direction too when you look at it.
Look here if you need to refer to the full guidelines on the use and display of our national flag.
Send us a photo of your estate all dressed up to celebrate our nation’s 58th birthday and this limited edition CCK Town gift pack could be yours!
8 lucky winners will receive this gift pack consisting of a reusable lunchbox, thermos flask, travel adaptor and a recyclable shopping bag.
Send your entry by 9 Aug!
Email your entry to corpcomms@ccktc.org.sg
See Terms & Conditions here.
CCK Town wishes all Singaporeans a fantastic 58th National Day. Let’s move Onward as One, CCK Town residents!
Last year’s winners, the Neos, donned the patriotic colours of our flag.
Another winner, Vivian Ong (right) posing with her relative, showed off her NDP fun pack stash.
Power Up Your $avings
Hacks to Cut Your Water Bill
Recycle Today & Save More for Tomorrow
In this new three-parter series, we bring you tips on how to save Mother Earth (and some money) by recycling & conserving water and energy.
Use less resources now to leave more for future generations!
Take Part in Our Latest Eco-Contest
Snap a photo and share with us how you save money & the environment through recycling or by conserving water or energy.
The most clever, useful or creative ways win a prize!
3 prizes are up for grabs.
- First prize is a HP Envy 6020 All-printer
- Second prize is a HP Deskjet 2722e printer
- Consolation prize is a HP Pavilion Wayfarer Backpack
Send your photo to corpcomms@ccktc.org.sg with your full name, address, mobile number and email.
Accompany your photo entry with a line or more (no word limit!) to tell us how you saved $ and the environment too.
For example, you can show us how you use your Bloobox or set up your home recycling corner or snap a picture of the water-saving nozzle on your taps. Send as many entries or photos as you wish!
Contest closes on 23 July 2023!
See Terms & Conditions here.
Power Up Your $savings
Did you know you can save $40 to $120 every year by using more energy-efficient fridges, LED lights and water heaters?
Adopt these tips to conserve energy and save $$.
The more ticks the merrier your $avings
Aircon – Save $300 a year on your power bills with a 5-tick aircon instead of a 2-tick one.
Fridge – Switch from a 2-tick refrigerator to one with 4 ticks and save $59 a year.
Water heater – Save an additional $124 a year by remembering to turn off your storage water heater quickly after use.
Switch to a gas water heater and save an additional $190 compared to an electric water storage heater, or $110 compared to an electric instant water heater.
Clever ways to cool and $ave!
Save $386* a year by cooling down your room using the aircon and switching to the fan after a while.
Or rely on fans to cool your home and save $441 a year! Did you know the energy used by one aircon can power 11 fans?
Use your climate vouchers
Switch to energy-saving appliances now to shave off those bills.
Households (1-, 2- and 3-HDB roomers) can use vouchers provided under the Climate-Friendly Household Programme from NEA and PUB to buy different energy-efficient appliances. Claim and use your climate vouchers before they expire on 31 December 2023.
Get more power $aving tips from the National Environment Agency here.
*All calculations are based on electricity cost of $0.299 per kWh of electricity.
Hacks to Cut Your Water Bill
Water is one of Singapore’s most precious resources, so we need to make every drop count.
In this second of our three-part series, we share some hacks to save water and cut the water bill.
Did you know that if you can reduce your water usage from the average of 140 litres per person per day to 130 litres per person* per day, you could shave at least 7% off your water bill?
Simply remember W-A-T-E-R !
*PUB’s Make Every Drop Count
W is for washing clothes on a full load
About 15% of our daily water usage in a household is used for washing clothes. So why not start the washer only when you have a full load?
You can save up to 40 litres of water every day, or 288 litres of water every week.
Using a more water-efficient washing machine can gain further savings. A washer that is rated four ticks can save up to 27 litres of water per wash, compared to a three-tick washer.
So, look out for those ticks to save, when you buy a washing machine.
A is for always using half flush where possible
Did you know that flushing the toilet bowl accounts for 17% of our daily water consumption?
Using a half-flush instead of a full flush each time saves you 1.5 litres of water per flush.
T is for turning off the shower when soaping
Showering is the biggest water guzzler in our homes, sucking up almost a third of the water used daily.
By just turning off the shower when soaping, you can save up to 27 litres of water each day.
You can double your savings by getting a water-efficient shower head which reduces water flow without sacrificing performance.
If you haven’t done so, request for your free PUB water-saving kit here. The kit consists of a set of thimbles that help to regulate flow rates from your taps and showerheads.
Also, make sure you fix leaks whenever you spot them because just losing a drop of water a second can amount to 4 litres of water wasted every day.
E is for ensuring the tap is off when brushing teeth
Did you know the bathroom tap that we use for handwashing and brushing teeth guzzles up to 12% of the water used every day?
Just keeping the tap off when you are brushing your teeth will save you up to 23 litres of water every day. That can fill up 153 mugs for rinsing your mouth.
R is for rinsing vegetables in a container
Extending these habits to the kitchen, which accounts for 16% of our daily water usage, will save you another 33 litres of water every day. Simply use a container to rinse fruits and vegetables instead of washing them under running water.
If you have plants at home, you can also reuse the water used for washing and rinsing rice, fruits and vegetables to water your plants.
And by washing dishes in a filled sink instead of letting the tap run, you save a further 28 litres! This translates into 15.5 kettles of water.
Every little drop counts. By taking the above small steps, you not only save precious water but save big on water bills too!
Sources:
https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/singaporewaterstory
https://makeeverydropcount.pub.gov.sg/water-saving-tips/
https://www.pub.gov.sg/savewater/athome
Recycle Today & Save More for Tomorrow
Have you collected your Bloobox, the free home recycling bin, given by the National Environment Agency (NEA)?
Recycling begins at home. It doesn’t take much to embark on a greener lifestyle.
Did you know that recycling helps to reduce prices of raw materials for manufacturing, which in turn helps keep prices low for consumers?
For example, making soft drink cans using recycling aluminium saves 95% more energy compared to making them from virgin metal ore.
Simply set up your own home recycling corner with the free NEA-issued Bloobox & you are on your way to helping Singapore achieve our national target of 70% overall recycling rate by 2030!
Choose a convenient location in your home for your Bloobox. For most people, that sweet spot tends to be next to the trash bin (see above).
The Bloobox can hold up to about 5kg of recyclables. Once it is full, place the items collected into the blue recycling bin downstairs or toss them into the recycling chute in your estate.
Here are 5 green tips on how to maximise the Bloobox:
- Your Bloobox does not need to be “fed”. Food or food-stained wrappers/containers are a strict no-no.
- Instead, feed Bloobox paper, plastic, glass and metal. Just make sure you rinse & dry them before tossing them in.
- Separate your e-waste. Those need to be placed into the standalone e-waste bin in your estate.
- Always flatten cardboard boxes so you can fit more items into your bin.
- Bloobox can be washed & reused. When it cannot be used anymore, simply fold it up & drop it off into the blue recycling bin.
See here for more tips on what can and cannot be recycled.
Follow these tips and you won’t go wrong!
Thank you, cleaners, for your Hard Work!
Kudos to all residents who supported the Appreciate Our Cleaners 2023 awards with your outpouring of accolades and recognition of our cleaners’ efforts.
Congratulations to our 13 well-deserving estate cleaners who have won the 2023 Top 10 Cleaners of CCK award, as well as the 3 new categories for the Most Hardworking Cleaner, the Most Caring Cleaner and My Favourite Cleaner.
Residents who nominated the cleaners share why they deserve to win:
Our Top 10 Cleaners of CCK Town
Robin Mohammad (Bukit Gombak)
Resident Marianne Pereira said: “Mr Robin takes pride in his work and has been exemplary in giving us his immediate attention whenever the need arose.
“One incident stood out for me. Some workers from the undertakers had broken a large carpark stone slab accidentally when setting up the awning at Block 507. They did not do anything about the damage, oblivious that it might cause a fractured leg or two if any resident tripped over it.
“Realising the danger, I called Mr Robin for help. He turned up in a matter of minutes even though he was in another area. He knew where to find another stone slab and was able to use it to close the gaping hole neatly.
“Nobody noticed or thanked him for his effort. I am grateful to Mr Robin for fixing this problem even though it was not his job to do so.”
Peh Cheng Swee (Keat Hong)
Resident Chui Shoong Hee said: “Mr Peh Cheng Swee is friendly and so hardworking that he is already hard at work when I head out for my daily morning walk at 6.45am. I think he works 7 days a week (including on public holidays!) because even on the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya public holidays, he can be spotted clearing away the bulky items that had been discarded around the blue recycling bin on the eve of these festive occasions.
“He once saw me trying to move a big old sofa from my home for bulky disposal pick-up and volunteered to help.“
Ali Md Eman (Keat Hong)
Mr Ali Md Eman (in red and grey uniform) with Aisha’s husband, Sufi (left), and their children Sara, Sofia and Umar (right).
Resident Aisha said: “Mr Ali never fails to greet my family whenever we bump into him, and no matter what assistance we need, from moving heavy furniture to disposing of big items, he will always be there to assist too.
“Rain or shine, Ali can be found carrying out his duties at our block whenever we see him. This really strikes a chord with my children as they can see that he works very hard to earn a living in Singapore. They really love him and respect him a lot.
“We hope he can win this and be rewarded. Even if he doesn’t, we would like to present him with a small token of our appreciation too!”
Bepari Rejaul (Hong Kah North)
Resident Ong Chee Eng said: “Mr Bepari Rejaul is very hardworking and he keeps my block super clean. I remember that once, my neighbour spilt plant soil on the corridor floor at night. And the next morning when I left my home, I saw that the mess was gone and cleaned up by Mr Bepari.
“I really appreciate his effort and whenever I meet him during the monthly block washing, I would treat him to some biscuits and drink as a token of my appreciation.”
Hamsah bin Talib (CCK estate)
Resident Nurul Aizat Binte Zainuddin said: “Mr Hamsah makes my day by greeting me whenever I see him. One day, when I was gardening at the community garden and he gave me some tips and advice on gardening.”
Lee Chee Wai (Brickland)
Resident Lim Wei Qiang, Nicholas said: “Thank you, Uncle Lee, for always being there to clean our neighbourhood in the wee hours of the morning. We appreciate all the efforts that you put in to keep our block clean.”
Miah Alamin (CCK estate)
Resident Sim Li Li said: “Mr Miah is a very hardworking and friendly cleaner. Anytime you ask him for help, he will be sure to help.
“There was once I sought his help to move a spoilt washing machine from my home. He just said ‘okay’ and followed me to give me a hand. “I always see him driving his truck around the estate till very late, moving the bulky items that had been improperly thrown downstairs.”
Ng Teng Siak (Brickland)
Resident Hong Chang Bin said: “Uncle Ng will always greet us ‘good morning’. Once, he offered to help me fix the brakes of my children’s bicycle. He is so warm and kind.”
Tan Kin Chiok (CCK estate)
Resident Hani Ng Binte Yusof Abdullah said: “Uncle Tan is a very friendly and hardworking person. He will start work as early as 5am by sweeping our estate, level by level. He makes sure all the corridors are clean.”
Uddin Main (Hong Kah North)
Mr Uddin Main (in grey polo tee) with Azfar Ijaz, Azmina and Arunkumar Tulasi (from left to right) .
Resident Dhivya Chockalingam said: “Mr Uddin always has a smile on his face and does his job well in a quiet manner.
“During the monthly block cleaning, he even takes care of our plants by ensuring that they are protected from the cleaning jet spray and puts our shoes into the shoe racks before washing the floor… He has become my daughter’s favourite cleaner.”
To honour cleaners who go the extra mile, above and beyond their regular cleaning duties, three new award categories have been introduced his year. Here are the winners:
The Most Caring Cleaner
Husain Arif (Hong Kah North)
Resident Vanessa Kong said: “Mr Husain is always hard at work, yet he has a cheerful attitude and always takes time to greet residents with a smile. My son is especially happy to spot him and say hello in the mornings!
“A few months ago, there was a fire in one of the units in our block. It was already late in the evening when we returned home, but we saw him heading up to that unit with cleaning equipment. When I asked him if he was tired, he merely replied that it was important to clean up the place quickly so that the affected residents could return to their home again soon.
“Thank you so much for keeping our neighbourhood so clean, Mr Husain. We see and appreciate all your hard work!”
The Most Hardworking Cleaner
Hossain Mohammad Ismail (Keat Hong)
Nominator J. Sutarsan said: “Mr Hossain, you are a dedicated estate cleaner. I give my heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional work you do in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of our estate. Your dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, and I am truly grateful for all that you do.
“Your tireless efforts in keeping our estate clean and tidy are evident in every corner of our neighbourhood. Your attention to detail, meticulousness and professionalism have made a significant impact on the overall look and feel of our community.
“Every time I call you for help, be it rain or shine, day or night, or public holiday, your humble answer would be, ‘Sir, I will be there in 10 minutes.’ And you would arrive on your bicycle with a smiling face.
“You always take pride in your work and ensure that every nook and cranny in our estate is spotless, creating an environment that we are proud to call our home. Your commitment to excellence is an inspiration to other estate cleaners. We are incredibly fortunate to have you as our estate worker.
“Thank you for all that you do. Your work is integral to the success of our community, and we are incredibly grateful for your contributions.”
My Favourite Cleaner
Hossen Anwar (Hong Kah North)
Resident Geetha Subramanim said: “Since the day I moved into the estate, I have found Mr Anwar to be dedicated to his job. Whenever I approach him for help to discard things, he would acknowledge my request with a smile, no matter how tired he is.
“Even at 10pm, I can see him clearing the rubbish near the lift lobby. He makes sure the area is clean before he retires for the day. Rain or shine, I can see him working. He doesn’t find excuses to not work.
“I really appreciate his service and take my hat off to his dedication. Thank you, Mr Anwar! Good job.”
All our 13 winning cleaners will receive a $60 NTUC FairPrice voucher each, and their resident nominators will get a $20 NTUC FairPrice voucher each.
Thank you, residents, for your nominations, and for putting up your Ribbon of Thanks.
Here’s a round-up of some ribbons that went up in May.
CCK Town’s PCF Sparkletot preschoolers showed their gratitude & appreciation for the cleaners with their colourful & personal Ribbons of Thanks display.
Artist’s impression of the new fitness corner.
Come 2025, Brickland residents will have more places to get fit and healthy.
A new covered basketball court with spectator seats, 2 new fitness corners and an adventure-themed playground will be built opposite Blk 810A, Choa Chu Kang Ave 7 & Keat Hong Garden. This is located at the intersection of Choa Chu Kang Ave 7 and Keat Hong Link.
The new facility, estimated to cost up to $2.5 million, is funded by Sports SG, under its Sport-in-Precinct (SIP) initiative to bring sporting spaces and facilities closer to Singaporeans.
Artist’s impression of the sheltered basketball court and children’s adventure playground.
The SIP is a part of SportSG’s Sports Facilities Master Plan under Vision 2030 to encourage Singaporeans to adopt sports as a way of life.
The development was announced in April 2023 by National Development Minister Desmond Lim during his visit to Brickland. Chua Chu Kang Town Council will be calling a tender for the sporting facility’s construction, which will be built as an inclusive space that caters to residents of all ages and abilities.
For a young estate, Brickland MP Don Wee said facilities like these can play an important role in giving residents a chance to meet and bond over sports, thereby fostering a deeper sense of community.
Conveniently located near letterboxes, these new recycling bins make it easy for you to get rid of junk mail neatly while being green at the same time.
70 such bins are now deployed at HDB blocks in CCK Town.
Brainchild of Keat Hong resident
Keat Hong resident Sutarsan (left) taking Mr Zhulkarnain through how he came up with such an idea for a flyer recycling bin.
This initiative is Keat Hong resident Mr Sutarsan’s green idea. Tired of the daily mess and eyesore of unwanted ads littering the floor, he came up with the suggestion of having a dedicated bin next to letterboxes for residents to dispose of junk mail which could then be recycled.
This not only helps to keep his block litter-free but also educates neighbours about recycling.
With this idea in mind, he approached CCK Town Council and his estate’s Residents’ Network. His flyer recycling bin idea was then piloted in 2 blocks in Keat Hong — with great success.
Green resident initiative supports eco-town
Subsequently, the Town Council rolled out the flyer recycling bins to other parts of the town as part of its eco-town drive.
The bins were launched by MPs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahman (Keat Hong) and Don Wee (Brickland) at Block 483B, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5 on 12 March 2023 (see picture below). Kids from PCK Sparkletots and Greenery Childcare Centre joined in the fun by decorating the bins with stickers printed with compliments by HP and labels contributed by Avery Dennison.
Keat Hong MP, Mr Zhulkarnain, said he was very proud of how this resident-led initiative has grown and that many more residents are now benefitting from this simple, yet brilliant idea.
Mr Wee, who is also CCK Town’s Sustainability Champion, said: “The 3Rs’ of reuse, reduce and recycle form key thrusts of Singapore’s zero waste and recycling efforts.
“This successful effort shows that residents can make a sustainable difference with their ideas for our green town!”
PCF schooler, Arushie, was among the residents who put up a Ribbon of Thanks to show their appreciation of our estate cleaners’ work.
A Simple Ribbon to Say Thank You
Little Kelly Lee Zhi Shan’s ribbon is sweetly accompanied by a hand-written note too!
This year, as part of Appreciate Our Cleaners 2023, CCK Town Council is encouraging all residents to tie a ribbon on their main door/gate to express their appreciation to our estate cleaners from now till 1 May 2023.
Unleash your creativity! The ribbon can be made of any material or be in any colour. To make it sufficiently visible from a short distance, the tied ribbon should be at least 15cm in width.
A pretty ribbon at CCK Town Council’s office’s main door.
For some families, such as Chloe’s, putting up the ribbon is a parent-child learning and bonding opportunity.
Snap a photo of your Ribbon of Thanks and send it to corpcomms@ccktc.org.sg to make it part of the first-ever digital wall of appreciation for CCK cleaners! Remember to include your name, contact details and estate.
Nominate Your Cleaner Now!
In addition, we’ve extended the chance to nominate your favourite cleaner or the most deserving cleaner in your estate to 1 May 2023.
For those of you who missed out earlier, grab this opportunity to show your estate cleaners you appreciate their work and service!
Besides the annual Top 10 Cleaners of CCK Town awards, we have introduced 3 new awards this year. They are:
- The Most Caring Cleaner,
- The Most Hardworking Cleaner, and
- My Favourite Cleaner
This means 13 cleaners (and residents) will get rewarded this year!
Win a $60 NTUC FairPrice voucher for your nominated cleaner(s) and a $20 NTUC FairPrice voucher for yourself.
Simply pen your words of appreciation for the cleaner or share a heart-warming encounter with him/her. Tell us why he/she should win. (Psst, there is no word limit!)
The names of your estate cleaners are displayed on the notice boards at your blocks.
Send in your entries via:
- Google form or
- Email to corpcomms@ccktc.org.sg
See Terms & Conditions here.
Tie a ribbon of thanks & nominate your cleaner now!
Head Out, Explore & Win!
Have you been to any of the 12 beautiful spots featured in our CCK Town 2023 Calendar? Snap a picture of yourself there & that shot could land you a prize!
From a walk in Teck Whye or stroll in Brickland estate, to having fun at The Arena @ Keat Hong and relaxing in Little Guilin or exploring the Kranji Marshes and Sungei Buloh – head out for a jaunt around our Town and you could be one of the winners of the CCK Town Council Newsletter Contest!
Send in your picture with the location it was taken, along with your name, address, contact no. to corpcomms@ccktc.org.sg by 31 March 2023.
Explore CCK’s scenic surprises and get lucky snapping!
Green Spots for Great R&R
Nature Therapy in Your Backyard
Step Up with Nature!
Blessed with abundant scenery, CCK Town has some of the country’s best parks. Head out for some relaxing nature therapy to breathe in the fresh air and bask in the greenery.
In this 3-parter series, we will explore some of the fun trails you can enjoy in our beautiful green town.
Green Spots for Great R&R
Nature helps us bond better with one another and the world at large. Research has shown that residents who live in estates with more greenery around them spend more time socialising with one another and enjoy a better quality of life.
So, in this finale of our 3-parter series on how to benefit from the lush greenery in CCK Town, we take you to green spots where you can spend quality time relaxing and bonding with your loved ones.
Check these out for some much-needed R&R (rest & relaxation)!
Community gardens
Community gardens are great places to get some Vitamin D in the sunshine, pick up a new hobby and get to know your neighbours.
Even for those without green thumbs, just bring along your favourite drink and a ‘kaki’ (meaning friend in Malay) or two, and have a good time nurturing your friendship amid blossoming plants.
Explore the rooftop community garden in West Ridges at Block 440, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 (above) or admire the colourful edible fruits and vegetables (see below) growing at Block 489, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 5 in Sunshine Gardens.
BBQ in the great outdoors
Enjoy a meal with great company among lush greenery.
With no more pandemic restrictions, it’s time to bring back those barbeque parties with your clan.
Grill your favourite meats and more at this BBQ pit at Teck Whye Garden (above) near Block 132, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1.
This BBQ pit at Tembusu Park, opposite Block 276, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2 is near a supermarket in case you need to top up ingredients for the grill!
Places to bond with your fur-babies
Hey, fur-parents, Bukit Gombak Park has a dog run with a gentle slope (pictured below). There, you can let your four-legged fur kids race around unleashed while you sit back to relax and catch up with fellow dog lovers.
(Photo credit: NParks)
With plentiful green spots, you can rest & relax with family & friends in CCK Town. Be sure to check them out this weekend!
Nature Therapy in Your Backyard
Sometimes, the best things in life are free!
In this 2nd of our 3-parter series, we reveal some of the glories of Nature your neighbours have discovered in various parts of CCK Town.
Brickland
All it takes, sometimes, to enjoy the wonders of nature is for you to just gaze out of your window! This beautiful fluffy formation (see below) called altocumulus clouds was spotted over Choa Chu Kang Grove by Keat Hong resident Jonathan Woo.
188 endangered trees were planted here 3 years ago as part of the One Million Trees movement. The trees included pometia pinnata (nickname island lychee) and sandoricum koetjape which bears ball-shaped yellow or brownish fruits that resemble the langsat and mangosteen.
Research has shown that spending time in nature or even looking at nature can help to improve one’s emotional and physical well-being. It can reduce blood pressure, muscle tension and production of stress hormones.
Bukit Gombak
Little Guilin in Bukit Batok Town Park is a popular relaxing and photo spot for residents.
Linger for a while longer and you may spot a red dragonfly taking a breather on a terrapin’s back like Hong Kah North resident Foong Thai Kwong did.
Chua Chu Kang
Keeping your eyes peeled when taking a stroll in Choa Chu Kang Park may bring surprises. Hong Kah North resident Janet Tan found this little critter (below) carrying a leaf.
Keat Hong
Birds, crocodiles, mudskippers and other animals are regular sightings at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
However, if you are as lucky as Bukit Gombak resident Myron Tay, maybe, you can spot an otter (or two) catching forty winks (pictured below).
Hong Kah North
These amazing glow-in-the-dark mushrooms (pictured below) had been spotted by photography enthusiasts in Bukit Batok Hillside Park.
CCK resident Bryan Goh braved the dark one day to capture these beauties.
Nature’s best trails
Did you know by participating in the National Steps Challenge, you can earn rewards such as shopping vouchers while staying fit?
To stay active and healthy, everyone is encouraged to clock at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and 5,000 steps daily under the revised Singapore Physical Activity Guidelines.
Why not hit some of these trails below to clock your steps (and earn your rewards) while enjoying our beautiful parks?
Keat Hong: Kranji Marshes
Panorama of Kranji Marshes and Kranji Reservoir from Raptor Tower. Photo by Yong Kuo Hoong
Raptor Tower (Photo credit: NParks)
Get a workout by heading out along New Tiew Woods to look for woodpeckers and monitor lizards or ascend Raptor Tower for a panoramic view of Kranji Marshes and Kranji Reservoir.
Hong Kah North: Park near Block 461C, Bukit Batok West Avenue 6
Ease yourself into the National Steps Challenge with a stroll around this flat park. Photo by CCKTC.
For those who need to ease themselves into a more active lifestyle, take a stroll around this small park near Block 461C at Bukit Batok West Avenue 6.
Choa Chu Kang estate: Choa Chu Kang Park
Check out the forested areas around the playground. Photo by Guo Shun.
Take a stroll in the forested area bordering Choa Chu Kang Park and find yourself among the remnants of the old fruit tree plantations. Go bird-spotting and see if you can locate the small stream in the park.
Brickland: Keat Hong Garden
Take a brisk walk around Keat Hong Garden. Photo by CCKTC.
A brisk walk around Keat Hong Garden will net you 1,500 steps. An easy and relaxing path with no elevation which is perfect for residents just embarking on their National Steps Challenge for the first time.
Bukit Gombak: Bukit Gombak Park
Enjoy nature in Bukit Gombak Park. Photo by Lee Ting Leow
Enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding forest and greenery by going on a 400m-looped hill trek in the park. Swing by the butterfly garden and see how many species of butterflies (and their young) you can spot.
Photo by Baskarasethupathy Swaminathan
Our corridors and common areas are spaces that we share with our neighbours.
Let’s keep our common areas safe and liveable for everyone by reducing clutter and keeping a clear passageway in the corridors.
In doing so, we:
- Make our homes pleasant and safe
- Reduce fire hazards
- Prevent pests and
- Facilitate easy movement.
Unnecessary clutter in common areas not only poses a potential fire hazard but may also hamper evacuation during emergencies, as recent fire incidents have shown.
Benefits of decluttering:
1.Cleaner air & lower risk of asthma or allergies
Dust, mites, mould and mildew can accumulate on your clutter, which directly affects the quality of the air you are breathing in, potentially triggering asthma or allergies. Less clutter, less dust, cleaner air. It’s as simple as that!
2. Reduces stress
Studies have shown that when people walk into a cluttered environment, the levels of their stress hormones (cortisol) increase rapidly. Put simply, clutter causes anxiety.
3. Sharper mind
Decluttering your work and living spaces help your brain focus better, according to research by Princeton University. Clutter competes for your attention, so when you have an organised environment, you are able to concentrate better on the tasks at hand.
As a caring community, we can all play a part in ensuring a healthy, positive and attractive living environment for everyone.
Let’s join hands to do our bit to keep our living environment pleasant and safe!
*Residents who need help with the removal of bulky items, please contact CCK Town Council at 6559 0388 to book a time and date at least 3 days in advance. This is a complimentary service provided by the Town Council. Each HDB household can request for the removal of up to 3 bulky items per month*.
* Please note that the service is strictly not applicable for house moving purposes and/or for renovation debris.
It’s our collective responsibility to keep the public spaces clean!
There is a role for everyone to play! In support of SG Clean Day on Sunday, 12 February 2023, you may want to gather your family, friends and neighbours to conduct litter-picking activities in your neighbourhood together.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind all residents to bin the trash and keep the environment litter-free.
Together, let’s create a cleaner and safer Chua Chu Kang Town for all!
In recent years, more residents have become aware of the beauty of our CCK Town through the CCK Town Council’s annual calendar, which feature beautiful photographs taken by fellow residents.
We speak to our top 3 winners about what inspired them.
A challenge to make things different
First prize winner Bryan Goh has captured alluring Little Guilin at sunrise more than 10 times and the CCK estate resident was surprised but gratified to have won this year.
Bryan’s winning shot of Little Guilin at sunrise.
Bryan (right) receiving his prize from Mr Gan Kim Yong, MP for CCK estate and Trade & Industry Minister.
He said: “Living near Bukit Batok Town Park, I love heading there to capture the picturesque Little Guilin over and over again.
“I never get bored because as a photographer, I enjoy the challenge of finding a way to make my photographs of the same place look different. By shooting from different angles or at different times of the day, I’ll get a variety of photos which do not look the same. “
Bryan added it is probably common for photographers to return to the same location. “It is a “necessary dedication” to get a better shot.”
He said he is lucky his job as a real estate agent offers him the freedom to indulge in his hobby. On mornings when he does not have to start work early, and if the weather promises to be good, he would be up at the crack of dawn to traipse to some picturesque spot to shoot.
Always bring your camera!
Photography, for second-prize winner Yong Kuo Hoong, is a reminder that life is unpredictable.
The Hong Kah North resident said he visited Kranji Marshes at least four times, and he’s never managed to encounter the same lighting conditions as on his first visit (pictured below).
Sadly, all he had with him then was his mobile phone. He said: “The view was breath-taking and refreshing. It was something I had never seen before. The sun was bright, and the sky was blue.”
But the weather thwarted him on his subsequent visits, though he felt he couldn’t just blame Mother Nature. As a photographer, he needed to find ways around it.
At last, on his final visit, he managed to capture his winning shot with a gentle sunrise.
“Was I satisfied? Yes. But I felt that the weather could have been better. From then on, my motto was: Always bring a camera with you!” said the teacher with a laugh.
Hong Kah North MP Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan presenting Kuo Hoong his prize.
For residents, by residents
Even though a photo of Eagle Point at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve had won the top prize in the 2022 CCK Town Council calendar, Hong Kah North resident See Chin Foo was determined to capture the picturesque spot through his lens.
The beauty of photography, said the IT sales manager, is that “no two photos are the same”.
Every photographer has his angle or technique.
Many people have been to Eagle Point, but few would have seen the place in the way he had captured it.
Chin Foo receiving his prize from Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan, MP for Hong Kah North and Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability & the Environment
The long exposure he used for his photo (above) revealed a magical landscape where the water and clouds appeared milky and blurry, as if in a painting.
He said winning the third prize and having his photograph seen in every home in CCK Town was a great way of getting his effort recognised.
Besides participating in competitions, he also shares his photographs on his Facebook page.
He said the annual calendar is a particularly lovely initiative by the Town Council because it is a project by residents, for the benefit of fellow residents.
“I have had neighbours tell me that they look forward to receiving the calendar every year because they never realised that CCK Town can have such beautiful scenery. And it is extra nice that these photos are taken not by outsiders but by residents who live in the town,” he said.
