On June 14, 2016, the Ombudsman issued a direct investigation report on "Government’s Tree Management Regime and Practices ". Based on the improvement of the tree management regime and supervision on Government land and private land, the verification and enhancement of the professionalism of practitioners, and the necessity of legislation for tree management, the report has made a deep investigation and pinpointed the actual needs. The Conservancy Association supports the recommendations of the report, and would like to urge Greening, Landscape & Tree Management Section, Development Bureau and corresponding government departments to respond the recommendations of the investigation report openly and positively as soon as possible in order to improve the standard of the tree management and conservation in Hong Kong.
The report has pointed out clearly about the importance of the legislation on tree management. In the past, the legislation on trees management was considered only for tree protection. However, the existing law is not enough for the government to actively monitor and regulate the management of trees on private land, as well as the performance of the tree industry. The legislation will help further promoting the standard of trees management in Hong Kong, and enhance the whole management regime and system.It is very disappointed that the Development Bureau expressed that there are many factors to be considered before legislation, thus still refused to demonstrate their account for the determination of the legislation and the related work plan.
For the development of tree practitioners, the Development Bureau and the Education Bureau have just started the statuary procedures for the establishment of the qualifications framework of landscape architecture and arboriculture industries, which just responded to the recommendations of the report. After clarifying the requirements of different types of works, it is expected that the quality of horticulture and arboriculture works can be guaranteed. Practitioners who adhere strictly to professional conducts can also be given recognition, and there is a clear career prospect. Lastly, we also hope the government, such as the Development Bureau, can assist the industry, so that the tree management practitioners (i.e. arborists) can officially qualify a professional status like landscape architects which their professionalism can be well established.
The report also makes recommendations on tree risk assessment, tree planting and tree pruning which are the three major trees management work in Hong Kong. The recommendations include strengthening the consideration about the interrelation between the tree and the structure (i.e. stone wall), monitoring the selections of tree species, planting and pruning works, etc. The Conservancy Association believes that the above recommendations should be implemented immediately in order to avoid wrong assessment of tree risks or creating more problematic trees. On a positive side, this will improve the problem of premature tree death due to the improper management of trees and promote the sustainability of urban trees and forests.
In fact, trees are indispensable elements in all livable cities. Because of the selfless contribution of trees, our environment, ecology, even our physical and mental health are all greatly benefited every day. We should not treat trees as a burden or an encumbrance of management, instead, trees should be considered as an important asset to the city which deserves an effective, timely and professional management.
For more information of the report, please visit:
http://ofomb.ombudsman.hk/abc/files/Annex_2_E-14_6_2016.pdf for the executive summary or http://ofomb.ombudsman.hk/abc/files/DI310_TC-14_6_2016.pdf for the full Chinese report.
