Debated in Parliament on 14 Sep 2021.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for National Development in light of changing weather patterns (a) how have the changing weather patterns affected the landscaping in HDB estates; (b) whether Town Councils are working closely with NParks to revise the recommended maintenance schedules according to weather patterns and their effect on different plant species; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider including landscaping in the Town Council management report considering its importance in reducing carbon emissions.
HDB provides greenery in new public housing developments, while Town Councils (TCs) plant and maintain greenery in existing HDB estates. NParks shares best practices and guidelines on greenery management, including the selection of plant species, suitable planting locations, and tree risk management, with HDB and TCs. These practices help TCs to manage the tree population in public housing estates and to mitigate the risk of tree failure, especially in view of more adverse weather conditions due to climate change.
HDB selects trees to be planted based on their hardiness and overall suitability for public housing estates. In addition, since 2018, HDB has been securing trees that are planted on rooftop gardens with anchors at their roots embedded in the soil to further reduce the risk of tree fall incidents.
On plant health and maintenance, NParks provides a range of training courses and seminars, and certifies arborists engaged by TCs using the International Society of Arboriculture framework. This helps TCs to build up their knowledge of tree maintenance and keeps them updated about best practices, which includes adjusting their tree maintenance schedules according to weather patterns and their effect on different plant species. NParks also advises TCs on storm-vulnerable tree species that are prone to failure, so that TCs can remove and replace them. Before the start of yearly monsoon seasons, NParks also provides advisories to TCs to step up checks on all trees, including large trees and trees at elevated areas, and to undertake the pruning of tree crowns if necessary.
The existing Town Council Management Report already assesses whether landscaped areas in HDB estates are generally clean and properly maintained by the TCs. To ensure that there is sufficient greenery in HDB estates, TCs must seek HDB’s approval before removing trees, whether this is due to poor tree health or upgrading works and are required to replace the trees that are removed.
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