Shared Responsibility of Organisations to Maintain Trees in Vicinity of Public Areas

Debated in Parliament on 8 Jul 2019.

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Murali Pillai proposed that NParks introduce regulations to require all organisations maintaining trees near public areas to adhere to the same or higher tree inspection and maintenance standards as NParks, citing concerns over rainfall volatility and safety risks.
Lawrence Wong explained that many organisations already follow NParks' standards by referencing their contracts, which require certified arborists and align with ISA guidelines, and noted that the Parks and Trees Act empowers NParks to enforce compliance through maintenance notices and penalties.
NParks also supports tree management through training and workshops to enhance the capabilities of contractors and organisations, and will continue collaborating to ensure trees are well maintained across Singapore.

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Murali Pillai

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for National Development in light of the growing trend of rainfall volatility and intensity causing human injury and property damage, whether NParks will consider introducing regulations to ensure that all organisations having the responsibility to maintain trees in the vicinity of roads, footpaths, residences, playgrounds and the like apply the same or higher standard of tree inspection and maintenance by NParks.

Lawrence Wong

Many organisations, including Town Councils (TCs), take reference from NParks' tree management contracts when drawing up their own contracts. For instance, their contracts require tree inspections to be performed by arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). These arborists are able to perform tree inspections and maintenance according to the standards stipulated by the ISA, which NParks' standards are based on.

The Parks and Trees Act already allows NParks to take action against those who are not maintaining their trees satisfactorily. Authorised NParks officers can enter premises to inspect potentially dangerous trees. If the tree constitutes a danger to any person or property, NParks can issue a maintenance notice requiring the occupier of the premises to maintain the tree or take other specified measures to abate the danger. Non-compliance with NParks' maintenance notice is an offence.

Besides regulatory levers, NParks has also been helping to raise the capabilities of landscape contractors and other organisations that manage trees. This includes providing regular training courses on tree inspection and maintenance, as well as conducting workshops and seminars to share best practices in tree management. NParks will continue to work with organisations that manage trees to ensure that all trees in Singapore are well maintained.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Murali Pillai proposed that NParks introduce regulations to require all organisations maintaining trees near public areas to adhere to the same or higher tree inspection and maintenance standards as NParks, citing concerns over rainfall volatility and safety risks.
Lawrence Wong explained that many organisations already follow NParks' standards by referencing their contracts, which require certified arborists and align with ISA guidelines, and noted that the Parks and Trees Act empowers NParks to enforce compliance through maintenance notices and penalties.
NParks also supports tree management through training and workshops to enhance the capabilities of contractors and organisations, and will continue collaborating to ensure trees are well maintained across Singapore.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Shared Responsibility of Organisations to Maintain Trees in Vicinity of Public Areas | PAPERCUTS

Shared Responsibility of Organisations to Maintain Trees in Vicinity of Public Areas

Debated in Parliament on 8 Jul 2019.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Murali Pillai proposed that NParks introduce regulations to require all organisations maintaining trees near public areas to adhere to the same or higher tree inspection and maintenance standards as NParks, citing concerns over rainfall volatility and safety risks.
Lawrence Wong explained that many organisations already follow NParks' standards by referencing their contracts, which require certified arborists and align with ISA guidelines, and noted that the Parks and Trees Act empowers NParks to enforce compliance through maintenance notices and penalties.
NParks also supports tree management through training and workshops to enhance the capabilities of contractors and organisations, and will continue collaborating to ensure trees are well maintained across Singapore.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Murali Pillai

Lawrence Wong

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Murali Pillai proposed that NParks introduce regulations to require all organisations maintaining trees near public areas to adhere to the same or higher tree inspection and maintenance standards as NParks, citing concerns over rainfall volatility and safety risks.
Lawrence Wong explained that many organisations already follow NParks' standards by referencing their contracts, which require certified arborists and align with ISA guidelines, and noted that the Parks and Trees Act empowers NParks to enforce compliance through maintenance notices and penalties.
NParks also supports tree management through training and workshops to enhance the capabilities of contractors and organisations, and will continue collaborating to ensure trees are well maintained across Singapore.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Shared Responsibility of Organisations to Maintain Trees in Vicinity of Public Areas

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Murali Pillai

Lawrence Wong

Summary

Questions Identified

Shared Responsibility of Organisations to Maintain Trees in Vicinity of Public Areas

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Murali Pillai

Lawrence Wong

Summary

Questions Identified