NParks revises tenancy model for new land plots to better support landscape and orchid nurseries

- From November 2025, the next tranche of new land plot tenders for landscape and orchid nurseries will offer a 6+3 year tenancy model

-New pro-enterprise initiatives lined up to support businesses in the landscape industry

- First national standard on tree management to open for public consultation from 7 November 2025 to 8 January 2026 

Singapore, 13 October 2025 – To meet the evolving needs of the landscape industry, the National Parks Board (NParks) will revise the tenure structure for new landscape and orchid nursery land plots from the current 3+3+3 years to 6+3 years. This will apply to the next tranche of tenancy plots put up for tender by NParks, starting from November 2025.

Developed in consultation with stakeholders, the revised tenancy model addresses industry feedback for an extended first-term tenure to reduce business uncertainty and enable better long-term planning. In tandem, NParks has lined up various pro-enterprise initiatives – including an enhanced tender briefing process, a guidebook and a training course – to help industry players bridge knowledge gaps and make well-informed decisions during the tender process. These initiatives complement NParks’ ongoing efforts to support businesses in the landscape industry.

Additionally, the first national standard on tree management, Code of Practice for Pruning of Trees in Tropical Urban Landscapes, has been drafted and will be open for public consultation from 7 November 2025 to 8 January 2026. The new Standard, SS 724, sets out common standards for tree pruning and industry-recognised best practices for tree care practitioners in Singapore.

These announcements were shared today by Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry, Mr Alvin Tan, at the 10^th Regional Arboriculture Seminar.

Revised 6+3 year tenancy model for new land plots

From November 2025, NParks will implement a 6+3 year tenancy model for the next tranche of new land plot tenders for landscape and orchid nurseries, replacing the current 3+3+3 year structure. Under the revised model, tenancy renewal and rental revisions will occur only once at the seventh year of tenancy, instead of twice at the fourth and seventh years. This will address the demand for a longer first-term tenure, as nurseries typically require substantial upfront investment and development costs and a longer timeline to complete construction and become operational.

Taking industry feedback into account, including input from the Landscape Industry Association (Singapore) (LIAS), the revised tenancy model provides greater business stability, enabling nursery operators to improve business planning and make longer-term investments in technology and equipment. This will ultimately boost productivity for the landscape industry.

New pro-enterprise initiatives for the landscape industry

Alongside the revised tenancy model, NParks has lined up several pro-enterprise initiatives as part of ongoing efforts to support and uplift businesses in the landscape industry.From November 2025 onwards, NParks will enhance its tender briefing process by conducting site showrounds for prospective bidders at the tendered land plots, enabling them to gain a clearer understanding of site conditions and make more informed decisions on bid pricing.

NParks also published a guidebook, Nursery TOP/CSC Guidebook, in September 2025 to help nursery operators navigate regulatory requirements and achieve compliance for Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) or Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC), which is necessary to occupy a development.

Later this year, a specialised training course, jointly developed by NParks and the Institution of Engineers, Singapore, will be launched to equip industry players with essential technical and regulatory knowledge for planning and developing nursery or farm operations in Singapore.  

New national standard on tree management opens for public consultation next month

The Singapore Standard, “Code of Practice for Pruning of Trees in Tropical Urban Landscapes” (SS 724, or the Standard) – Singapore’s first national standard on tree management – has been drafted, outlining principles, techniques and standards for tree pruning that align with international best practices while considering the unique conditions of tropical urban trees, such as those found in Singapore.

SS 724 was developed by a workgroup convened by Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Standards Council, and jointly led by NParks and LIAS. The workgroup comprises around 20 members from government agencies, town councils, private property owners, arboriculture professionals, landscape companies and training providers. In shaping the Standard, the workgroup also conducted focus group discussions with some 60 industry stakeholders to draw on their expertise. To seek broader views from the wider community, the Standard will be open for public consultation from 7 November 2025 to 8 January 2026 on the Singapore Standards eShop website.

With the Standard as a common reference, tree owners, tree care practitioners and training providers will have a set of clear, science-based guidelines for pruning. This will help address common pruning misconceptions, raise the overall standard of tree care in Singapore, and support the long-term health of urban trees in our City in Nature.

About the 10^th Regional Arboriculture Seminar

The biennial Regional Arboriculture Seminar, co-organised by NParks and LIAS, is a key platform that showcases Singapore’s leadership in tropical arboriculture and urban greenery, advances industry professionalisation through the sharing of best practices and research, and fosters networking and knowledge exchange with international counterparts.

Taking place from 13 to 14 October 2025 at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability, the 10^th edition brings together over 300 participants for presentations and panel discussions by leading tree care practitioners and researchers from across the region.

On the opening day of the Seminar, Minister of State Tan also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and LIAS. The MOU formally recognises LIAS as an ISA Chapter, and reaffirms both organisations' shared commitment to advancing professional standards in arboriculture and urban forestry in Singapore and beyond.

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