The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) have finally responded to the letters and petitions sent to them opposing the proposed clearance of trees along the waterfront and harbour in Sai Kung. Sai Kung District Council has previously replied, as has District Councillor Christine Fong.
The text of the response is below. Note that we have highlighted one section, which may shed some light on how such a decision could be made with little or no widespread public discussion.
Thank you for your email/enquiry to the Director of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) on 20 August 2024 regarding the trees at seawalls in Sai Kung Town. The Port Works Division of CEDD is now authorized to follow up and respond to you.
The trees concerned are unplanned trees located along the waterfront of Sai Kung Town, where CEDD is responsible for structural maintenance of these seawalls. A location plan is attached for reference.
Notwithstanding that there is no imminent danger caused by these unplanned trees according to the preliminary assessment, these trees are required to be handled properly due to their potential risk posed to the seawall structure and to the public. CEDD initially considers removing these unplanned trees and is now consulting different stakeholders. CEDD has also arranged professional arborists to conduct detailed assessment to the condition of the trees concerned.
CEDD understood the public concerns about these trees and had preliminarily consulted the members of the Sai Kung District Council, Sai Kung Area Committee members, resident representatives of Rural Committee concerned, etc. from 26 June to 10 July 2024. No objection to the removal of the trees concerned was received. CEDD also posted notices on the trees concerned on 14 August 2024 in order to collect views from the public, and met some members of the Sai Kung District Council and their representatives on 20 August 2024 to explain the situation and listen to their views.
After holistic review of the tree assessment results and views of the stakeholders, CEDD will formulate a proposal to deal with the trees concerned, and provide further notification. Before completing the relevant procedures, the trees concerned will not be removed.
Yours sincerely,
(Iris YAM)
for Chief Engineer/Port Works
Civil Engineering and Development Department
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