Tree care: Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang (centre) releases the Task Force on Tree Management report.

The Task Force on Tree Management has proposed establishing two offices dealing with tree care, and greening and landscapes.

Unveiling the task force's report at a press conference today Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang said it suggests changes in the institutional framework, risk assessment, training, community involvement and other areas of tree management.

Tree offices

The Development Bureau has proposed taking up policy responsibility for greening, landscape and tree management.

A tree-management office will be formed as the central authority and focal point for co-ordination. An expert panel will be established with local and overseas experts to facilitate policy and operational aspects of tree management.

It will have a committee to plan staff training and liaise with local tertiary institutes on boosting related courses.

Another greening and landscape office will be responsible for central co-ordination of greening and landscaping efforts, and a design panel to tap outside expertise may be formed to help vet these proposals.

The Lands Department will establish a new tree unit to enable it to discharge its duties without having to seek expert advice from other departments. The Government hotline 1823 will function as the central point to receive public complaints.

Systemic monitoring

The task force also devised tree risk assessment arrangements for checking important or problematic trees and identifying areas where people will be subject to significant risk if a tree falls.

The Government will form a tree database and conduct monitoring work systematically and comprehensively, Mr Tang said.

"The task force considers the existing regime generally adequate and sees no need to introduce any legislative change at this stage," he said, adding efforts should focus on the proposed administrative measures while the Government keeps the matter under review.

To facilitate community involvement the task force recommends expanding the existing Green Volunteer Scheme by recruiting more district tree-care volunteers and inviting prominent community figures to act as green ambassadors.

Public education will also be boosted, such as by appealing to land owners to take proper care of trees within their lots and promoting environmental awareness among students.

Click here for the report.