The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has planted about 2,200 trees and 350,000 shrubs in Sham Shui Po under the Greening Master Plan (GMP) initiative since the commencement of work in September 2009.
Officiating at a planting ceremony today (December 16) for the greening works in Sham Shui Po, the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr John Chai, said that, apart from Sham Shui Po, the department was also planting in Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin, Kwun Tong, Western District, Southern District and Eastern District at the same time. He expected that all these greening works would be completed by mid-2011.
"With the completion of all the greening works in the urban areas by mid-2011, we will have planted more than 19,000 trees and 4.3 million shrubs under the GMP initiative and as a result the urban environment will be significantly improved. In view of the general support of the relevant District Councils and the public to the urban GMP initiative, the Government will extend the initiative to cover the New Territories. Preparation of the GMPs for the New Territories will commence in 2011," Mr Chai said.
The GMP provides an overall greening framework for an area by identifying suitable locations for planting with appropriate themes and species to achieve a coherent design and a sustainable effect. The Government established an inter-departmental Greening Master Plan Committee in August 2004 to oversee the development and implementation of the GMP in urban districts. The first phase covering greening works in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central was completed in 2007. The second phase covering greening works in Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay was completed in 2009.
Mr Chai thanked the Sham Shui Po District Council, district organisations and the local community for their advice and support during the project's design and implementation. He also thanked the residents for their understanding in regard to the inconvenience caused by the works.
The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Wai Chi-sing; the Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), Mrs Jessie Ting; Chairman of Sham Shui Po District Council, Dr Chan Tung; Sham Shui Po District Officer, Ms May Chan; Sham Shui Po District Council members; GMP Committee members and representatives of local community and relevant government departments.
The newly appointed Principal Assistant Secretary (Greening, Landscape and Tree Management) of the Development Bureau, Mr Kieran O'Neill, also attended the ceremony. As the head of the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section, Mr O'Neill will assist in formulating policies and strategies to ensure seamless integration of landscape planning and design in the upstream to vegetation management in the downstream. He will work closely with CEDD on a quality-led approach to the implementation of the GMPs.
Ends/Thursday, December 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:45
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