Long-term planning looks like this. Do we appreciate it?

The deep tunnel sewerage system, built to last 100 years maintenance-free, is about sustainable development.

It is a massive integrated project in land scarce Singapore to meet our long term clean water needs through the collection, treatment, reclamation and disposal of used water from industries, homes and businesses.

But long-term planning is something Singaporeans has enjoyed since independence, so much so that we do not appreciate it enough. This is evident during election when voters are ready to vote the government out over one policy they don't feel happy about instead of assessing the government as a whole and taking the long term view.

For example, some think the government should be voted out for increased water tariffs. And some think the government should be voted out for wanting to increase GST.

Nation-building is a collective effort and requires all of us to play a part, and this includes being willing to pay higher prices to ensure that generations of Singaporeans can continue to enjoy good things.