Question "LCQ15: Tree Felling" by the Hon Choy So-yuk and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council

Following is a question by the Hon Choy So-yuk and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (February 18):

Question:

At present, it is necessary to apply for the Government's approval before felling or relocating trees on government or private land. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of applications received last year for felling or relocating trees as well as the total number of trees involved and, among these, the respective numbers of applications involving government and private land; and

(b) among the above applications, the respective numbers of applications that have been approved or rejected by the authorities, as well as the respective numbers of trees involved?

Reply:

Madam President,

Tree preservation is an established Government policy. For all Government projects, the felling of trees will require the approval of the Lands Department (Lands D) who will consult relevant departments as appropriate. As regards leased land, tree preservation clauses have been included in land leases, where appropriate, since the early 1970s. These clauses specify that any trees growing on the lot or adjacent to it should not be interfered with without the prior consent of the Director of Lands.

The specific information requested in the two parts of the question is as follows:

(a) Last year, Lands D received 146 applications for the felling and relocation of trees. Among them, 81 applications involved Government land and 65 private land. The number of trees involved are as follows:

(b) The approval and rejection cases as well as the number of trees involved are as follows:

Ends/Wednesday, February 18, 2004

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