Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs SANDAKAN DISTRICT & LOCAL PLANNING

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sandakan District Boundary Area: 2,266 square kilometres

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sandakan District Project Organisation Level SANDAKAN DISTRICT LOCAL PLAN WORKING GROUP (SDLP WG) Awareness Raising & Public Participation Task Force (AW&PP TF) Spatial Planning Task Force (SP TF) Environmental Planning Task Force (EP TF)

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Population Change Darker colours represent larger increases Dotted areas show declines in population in outlying areas and also in parts of the CBD Source: Department of Statistics, KL

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Population Density 1991 & Darker colours show higher densities. Notice growth along Labuk Road up to Mile 32 Source: Department of Statistics, KL

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Population and Land Requirements

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Land Requirements From 2000 – 2010 An extra 1663 Hectares From 2010 – 2020 Another 2911 Hectares Boxes show the actual size of land that might be required by a Trend Projection

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Major Planning Issues Water Supply Approximately 16 – 20 million litres per day (mld) obtained from Sandakan boreholes and river intakes. An extra 60 mld is obtained from Kinabatangan District. Total 76 mld. Source: 1 st Spatial Planning Task Force 2 nd April A decision needs to be made on how to protect the recharge and escarpment areas for the boreholes close to the town centre or whether to rely even more on Kinabatangan in future for the increased demand. Needs of Kinabatangan District also to be considered: both urban and rural demand.

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legend Major Planning Issues

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Major Planning Issues Dump Site Management Problems (lack of funding means no topsoil covering or supervision) Large area remaining (10 out of 100 hectares used) New area would suffer from same management problems Long-term future site to be identified

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Potential Site LocationGAM Rating Search Volume hectare s % ASungai Manila18, BSenawang27, CUlu Dusun48, DSegaliud68, EGomantong313, FSuan Lamba511, Total Potential Search Area57, Total eliminated area160, Total (Sandakan District – Land Area)218,200100% Major Planning Issues

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Major Planning Issues BDC Potential to transform the former settlement (and its foreshore) into a showcase development in a strategic growth area Plans could include a reclaimed area with pedestrian seaside promenade linking commercial, residential & entertainment activities. Possible ideas include Theme Park and/or Aquarium. Hotels could include convention facilities as a future attraction.

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs What should be the future of BDC?

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seguntor Industrial Area Integrated Wood Complex (ITC) 1,025 ha General Industrial Area (932 ha) 54 factories in ITC 21 activities outside ITC Planning Issue: Finding a Good Balance between Development Needs and having a Sustainable Environment Major Planning Issues

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs What should be the future for Seguntor River?

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Major Planning Issues Waste Water Treatment Currently 3 areas with only one connected to a central treatment plant (50,000 persons) New developments should incorporate waste water treatment and disposal Longer term policy to sewer all existing development

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Future Economic Base Nature Tourism Sepilok Forest Reserve and Safari Walk, Fish Ponds, Selingan Island, Berhala, Labuk Resort, Batu Sapi. Gateway to Sukau, Gomantong, Batu Putih (Kinabatangan) Historical Tourism Australian Memorial Park, Agnes Keiths House, Places of Worship, Historical Trail. Tourism Potential to keep visitors here for several days. Requires more marketing & support from tour operators and KK/chain hotels. Develop a major theme park or other types of recreational activity? Education Potential for Tertiary Education. Research Institutes (Agriculture, Marine). Universities and Polytechnics. Skills Need to keep skilled people in Sandakan and encourage more to settle. Require appropriate employment. Need to link skill development to Sandakan opportunities and activities. Gateway Role For Tourism (Sandakan, east coast islands and Kinabatangan), Trade (eg. BIMP-EAGA), Education (to develop and share skills). Fisheries Centre.

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Future Economic Base Oil Palm More than 40% of the District is already covered by oil palm. There is potential to increase the value added processing in the area. Dangers of a one-crop economy. Tourism links with tours of oil palm mills. Agriculture Diversification into other cash and food crops. Forest products? Organic Farming? Local specialities. Reputation for exotic fish. Offshore fishing links with tourism. Support Need to develop roads, hospitals (public and private), improved solid waste disposal to encourage facilities and industry etc. Better regional infrastructure, including improved port access. New Markets Sandakan is a small market for goods and services. Any new enterprises will need new Asian and overseas markets. Tourism needs to be promoted more widely and more selectively.

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Development Alternatives Sandakan General Structure Plan 2000 (completed 1984) is still valid. Strategic guidance for the development of Sandakan. Three alternative spatial patterns Satellite growth (decentralisation) Linear growth (along Labuk Road) Consolidated growth (infill & expansion)

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alternative 1: Satellite Growth Alternative 1b: Ladang Sadac, Mile 11 Labuk Rd Alternative 1a: Gum Gum at Mile 16 Labuk Road Source: Sandakan General Structure Plan 2000 ( ) LIVING AREAS INDUSTRIAL AREAS COMMERCIAL/RETAIL PRIMARY ROADS

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alternative 1: Satellite Growth Advantages All development is new so benefits from comprehensive planning Land costs low as satellite in rural area; When developed it would bring services closer to rural hinterland; Reduced congestion overall if employment attracted to satellite. Disadvantages Difficulties in attracting population and employment (commuting); Existing area needs to be already full up to provide the push; Expensive/long work journeys if it becomes a dormitory town. Expensive and extensive new infrastructure/services

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alternative 2: Linear Growth Source: Sandakan General Structure Plan 2000 ( LIVING AREAS INDUSTRIAL AREAS COMMERCIAL/RETAIL PRIMARY ROADS

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alternative 2: Linear Growth Advantages Ribbon development like a string of beads Cost efficient on provision of infrastructure Easily served by mass public transport; Disadvantages Focuses all attention on one road to exclusion of others; Length of time for journeys & potential for congestion; Centre replaced by a series of sub-centres (no centre of attraction)

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alternative 3: Consolidated Growth Source: Sandakan General Structure Plan 2000 ( LIVING AREAS INDUSTRIAL AREAS COMMERCIAL/RETAIL PRIMARY ROADS

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alternative 3 : Consolidated Growth Advantages Does not depend on minimum population as basic infrastructure and services already provided; Current private development expectations are not frustrated; Travel to work/shops/facilities minimised for majority of residents; Cost efficient use of existing infrastructure. Disadvantages Difficult/expensive to find good sites for schools/other facilities; Planning for low-cost housing conflicts with owner aspirations; Phasing difficult as development random & covers whole town.

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Future for Sandakan? First Protect what is Important Produce a Balanced Plan with Space for All Different Strategy = Different Developments

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Opportunities Sepilok More use of Sepilok Laut Chalets and the forest walk.(day and night). Need to continue protection of the area and avoid overuse. Links to both Labuk Road and Sandakan Bay. Growth Areas Potential to develop new areas to the north and west of Sandakan. See the Board covering Alternatives. Proposals need to ensure that new areas have a focus rather than being urban sprawl. The current Structure Plan (shown here) examined this option in Historical Sites There is increasing visitor interest in history and culture which can also serve to educate local people.

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sandakan Bay Potential to develop the Bay and its shoreline for tourism activities. Possible restaurants, sunset cruises, more use of water links to Sepilok and Sukau. Need to retain the remaining mangrove buffer shown (dark red) on the satellite picture opposite. Opportunities Turtle Islands Need to analyse and group islands into those which can accommodate growth and those which should be protected. A range of zoning options could be developed allowing different activities. Kinabatangan Area Although not part of the Sandakan District Plan, any proposals for the area will have a major impact on Sandakans role as the gateway to the Kinabatangan.

Integrating Environmental Issues into Spatial Planning - Local Plans in Sabah Environmental Local Planning (ELP) Project Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah Danida, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Awareness-Raising & Public Participation