Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ2: Measures to preserve trees well in place
Following is a question by the Hon.Choy So-yuk and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment and Food, Mrs Lily Yam, in the Legislative Council meeting today (May 29):
Question
A large banyan tree at Kadoorie Road fell down this month, crushing a man to death. It was reported that the fall was allegedly caused by maintenance works on the slope near the tree because workers had trimmed away part of its main roots and covered the trunk bottom tightly with concrete paste, resulting in the withering of the roots. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether :
(a) officers will be deployed to inspect big trees in the territory which may be affected by the works of any projects, and to provide proper treatment and conservation when necessary; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(b) more effective conservation measures will be formulated to ensure that the trees within construction sites can grow normally and not be affected by the works?
Reply
(a) As the tree toppling accident at Kadoorie Road is still under investigation by the Police, we believe that it would not be appropriate to comment on the causes of the accident at this stage.
We do not consider it necessary to conduct a territory-wide inspection exercise of trees that may be affected by works projects.
The Government has already put in place a set of comprehensive measures to preserve trees. For government projects, the Works Bureau Technical Circulars state clearly that government officers are responsible for protecting trees from unnecessary pruning, damage or felling. Notwithstanding engineering and financial constraints, the relevant departments need to consider different options for tree preservation when designing and implementing works projects.
If there are trees on a government works site, the department carrying out the works needs to inspect and make a record of them during the design stage regardless of whether the trees would be affected by the project. Should the trees need to be transplanted or felled, the department concerned is required to submit to the Lands Department a tree inspection report, together with a treatment plan and a compensatory planting proposal. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will examine the proposals and provide professional advice to the Lands Department to assist the vetting of applications.
Where trees are retained on sites but might be affected by the projects, the relevant department must adopt appropriate preservation measures to properly protect the trees from damage. LCSD and AFCD will provide professional advice for the department to effectively protect the trees. Project supervisors also need to conduct regular site inspections to ensure that the trees will not be affected by the works.
As for private works, authorised persons of the projects are responsible for ensuring that trees would not be affected by the works. The Lands Department conduct regular site inspections to ensure that the projects are implemented according to the lease conditions. It also takes follow-up actions upon receiving public complaints. If interference with trees on sites that have a tree protection clause is evidenced, the Lands Department may impose a fine on the landowner pursuant to the lease conditions, or impose additional conditions requiring the landowner to carry out compensatory replanting or landscaping works.
(b) The Government has already put in place a set of effective measures to ensure that the trees within the project areas will not be affected by the works.
May 29, 2002