The Parks and Trees (Amendment) Bill 2017 2nd Reading Speech by SMS Desmond Lee
Feb 7, 2017
Madam Speaker, I beg to move, “That the Bill be now read a Second time.”
The Parks and Trees Act empowers NParks to manage and protect our greenery and biodiversity in our nature reserves, national parks, heritage road buffers, and tree conservation areas. But we need to continually review and update this piece of legislation as our City in a Garden continues to transform and grow.
Madam Speaker, let me introduce the main provisions of this Bill.
Marine Park
First, the Bill enhances NParks’ ability to protect the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, or SIMP.
The Marine Park was established in 2014, after many years of hard work by NParks colleagues and passionate members of our marine conservation community. They include representatives from the Nature Society Singapore, Wild Singapore, the academic community, and many other committed individuals.
In particular, I would like to thank Mr Francis Lee, the lead for the Blue Plan, Professor Chou Loke Ming, a luminary in the field of marine biology, Mr Leong Kwok Peng, vice president of Nature Society Singapore and Ms Ria Tan, Singapore’s passionate naturalist, and many, many more.
The coastal areas and waters in the Marine Park teem with life and are rich in local biodiversity, such as coral, anemones, seahorses, fish and other creatures. It is amazing that our waters, which lie within some of the busiest commercial sea lanes in the world, are home to over a third of the world’s total coral species. So protecting the reefs at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park is crucial to our coral conservation efforts.
By adding a definition of “marine park” in clause 2(a), and adding it as a type of public park in clause 2(c), we make it clear that the protection of the Parks and Trees Act applies to the designated foreshore as well as marine areas in the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. For instance, it will be an offence to fish, collect corals or moor boats without NParks’ approval.
The Bill will also enable NParks to make new subsidiary rules to regulate human activity in the Marine Park, in order to keep it as a sanctuary for marine life. For example, NParks can restrict diving and dropping of anchors at ecologically sensitive areas.
Let me say upfront that because we are managing a marine park for the first time, we think it will be better for NParks to have the flexibility to enact subsidiary legislation governing marine parks.
We will do so in close consultation with our marine conservation community and other relevant stakeholders, and continue to update and refine these rules as we gain experience.
Nature reserves
Let me next move on to provisions that enhance protection of biodiversity in our nature reserves.
Section 9(3)(a) of the Act restricts the bringing in or releasing of animals in a nature reserve. This prevents the introduction of invasive species which may threaten the survival of our native animals in the reserves.
However, the law currently does not cover cases where unwanted aquatic pets like exotic fish and terrapins are abandoned in streams or drains that lead into the reserves.
So clause 5 now makes it an offence for any person to release or abandon animals into watercourses outside of our nature reserves, if the person knows or ought to know that these watercourses flow into the reserves. To make this clear, NParks will put up signage at the key watercourses and continue to strengthen its public education efforts.
Gardens by the Bay
Third, the Bill gives greater protection to public parks and gardens that are not managed by NParks.
Gardens by the Bay is independently managed by Gardens by the Bay Company (GB Co). Clause 4 of the Bill now allows the Minister to designate entities like GB Co as managers of public parks. Clause 2(d) also brings these parks under the protection of the Parks and Trees Act. While Clause 3(b) further allows the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to delegate certain enforcement powers to selected employees of these entities.
In short, GB Co employees can now rely on the Parks and Trees Act provisions to protect the greenery and biodiversity of Gardens by the Bay. For example, park wardens who are GB Co employees will now be able to take enforcement action against illegal cutting of trees and plants at Gardens by the Bay.
Regulation of parks
Fourth, the Bill provides NParks with more effective regulatory and enforcement powers.
Under Clause 3, the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation may delegate certain powers of enforcement to public officers, NParks employees, as well as auxiliary Police officers.
He can also appoint public officers, NParks employees, an employee of a management body designated under Section 6A, as well as licensed security officers as park rangers. These officers will receive proper enforcement training and work closely with NParks officers.
In addition, NParks officers will now have more effective powers to investigate offences under the Act. For instance, they may interview offenders and record statements.
Reinstatement of greenery
Fifth, the Bill empowers NParks to require greenery to be reinstated, in cases where it has been illegally removed.
So let me elaborate. Currently, when greenery along Heritage Road green buffers are removed, offenders will not only face a fine, they may also be ordered to reinstate the greenery.
However, those who commit illegal tree-felling in Tree Conservation Areas and vacant land are currently only subject to fines. Clause 10 now allows NParks to order those responsible to also reinstate the greenery.
This brings the regulatory treatment for both Heritage Road green buffers as well as Tree Conservation Areas into alignment.
Power of entry
Sixth, the Bill enhances public safety by ensuring that occupiers of private property maintain the greenery in their premises. This includes trees grown on roof tops and balcony gardens. These trees need to be properly maintained or they might constitute a danger to occupiers and bystanders alike.
Clause 14 will also allow NParks officers to enter premises to ascertain the condition of trees and plants to safeguard public safety. Maintenance notices may be issued to occupiers if the trees or plants pose a danger to persons or property. These notices may require the occupier to engage an arborist to conduct detailed inspections or to carry out pruning. Non-compliance will be an offence.
Let me emphasise to members that NParks’ first recourse is usually to engage the occupier to better understand the situation, and persuade him to rectify the situation. These powers will only be exercised as a last resort, if the occupier is uncooperative.
Transfer of technical specifications
Seventh, the Bill restructures the Parks and Trees Act to better enable NParks to respond more quickly and dynamically to new trends in greenery development.
Presently, very technical specifications, such as the dimensions of planting areas that surround buildings, are set out in the Parks and Trees Act. These requirements cannot be modified or waived, even by the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. Sometimes, this hinders the adoption of innovative greenery proposals like vertical planting.
Clause 11 will give NParks more flexibility. It transfers the prescription of dimensions of planting areas from the Parks and Trees Act to subsidiary legislation. It also allows the Commissioner to modify or waive these dimensions where necessary or appropriate.
Landscape industry
Finally, the Bill makes related amendments to the National Parks Board Act to further encourage the development of the landscape industry.
This industry, comprising landscape designers, maintenance workers, arborists and nursery operators, is crucial to the development and maintenance of our City in a Garden.
Since 2007, NParks has rolled out industry training programmes and best practice guides. In 2013, NParks launched the Landscape Productivity Grant to help companies mechanise. In 2016, NParks worked with NTUC and MOM to launch a Progressive Wage Model for landscape workers.
In this regard, Clause 24 defines the landscape industry and NParks’ role in helping to manage, promote, and strengthen the industry. In particular, the clause empowers NParks to manage and optimise State land safeguarded for nurseries. This land will be tendered out in phases from mid-2018 to provide options for nurseries affected by redevelopment plans.
Madam, in conclusion, these amendments will enhance the protection, management and development of greenery in Singapore. They underscore our determination to ensure that our greenery and natural heritage will endure. Madam Speaker, I beg to move.