Dear Members,
Please find enclosed HKILA’s response to the recent appointment of the post of Head/Tree Management Office in Development Bureau for your reference please.
Relevant News:
http://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20180516/mobile/bkn-20180516124808639-0516_00822_001.html
HKILA’s response (Chinese Version):
香港園境師學會支持政府設立專責部門加強樹木管理，保障公眾安全及改善樹木護養工作，提升綠化質素。
樹木管理辦事處（樹木辦）作為樹木管理的決策部門，負責制定指引及訂定政策方向，應由擁有相關資格和資歷的專業人士領導。本會認為最近發展局以非相關專業人士出任樹木辦總監甚不恰當，我們建議政府應立即改以合適的本地專業人士填補這樹木辦總監的職位。政府在聘用有關人士時應以「專職專責」的原則，聘用合適專業人士，而條件應包括擁有園境 及樹藝和林務的學術背景及相關的專業資格，並具備豐富的本地樹木管理經驗。
HKILA’s response (English Summary):
The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) supports the government in setting up a dedicated office to strengthen tree management works in order to safeguard public safety, improve tree care and enhance vegetation quality in the city.
The Tree Management Office (TMO), as the policy bureau for tree management, plays an important role in formulating guidelines and setting policy directions. The office should be led by a person with relevant professional qualifications and experience in landscape architecture and arboriculture. The HKILA considers that it is inappropriate for the Development Bureau to appoint a person who does not have expertise in these fields as the Head of TMO. We recommend that the government take prompt action to rectify this situation and adopt the principle of appointing the “right personnel for the right post”, and identifies a suitable professional to fill the post soonest possible. In this regard, the criteria for the person suitable for the post should include academic background in the field of landscape architecture and arboriculture and/or forestry with relevant professional qualifications, who also possesses relevant local tree management experience.
Regards,
Secretariat
HKILA