SPEECH BY ER DR LEE BEE WAH, MP FOR NEE SOON GRC, AT THE SECOND READING OF THE PARK AND TREES (AMENDMENT) BILL IN PARLIAMENT
Madam Speaker
I rise in support of the Bill. The campaign to green Singapore has indeed been very successful and we, despite the demand for housing and other infrastructure, are indeed maintaining our image as a garden city. However, the success of our policy has also brought on one issue especially between neighbours in some private estates. The recent case highlighted in the media between two private home owners is an example.
I have received feedback from residents who complained that their neighbours did not maintain their trees properly and as a result the trees are leaning over, or the leaves fall into their garden, or the roots are uprooting the boundary wall. These residents are at a dilemma because not all neighbours are so understanding and co-operative. They view that as long as it is on their land, they can do what they want. The overgrown trees may tilt or drop leaves into the next house but it’s not their problem. For the ones at the receiving end, there is no redress. There is no one that they can turn to. Can the Minister advise in such cases what can the neighbours do? Don’t ask them to go for mediation as the other party won’t turn up. And don’t ask them to go to the neighbourhood committee because the committee can keep knocking at the door, and the other party won’t open the door.
Of course, if there is a danger of human lives, then this amendment would be helpful as the NParks can step in. I would like to ask: how do you define danger? If the leaves fall and clog drains, cause mosquito breeding and cause dengue or Zika, is this danger? If the leaves keep falling into the neighbour’s house, causing the neighbour sleepless nights and subsequently depression, is this danger? Since there are many trees that have already been planned on the roadside, can NParks order to remove trees that are causing dispute or distress?
Dr Lee Bee Wah speaking to residents in a green setting.
Madam Speaker, Chinese please. 不少住在私人住宅的居民告诉我,邻居的树木“过界”,把树叶都掉到他们的花园,或者看起来摇摇欲坠,让他们每天心惊胆跳。如果找邻里委员会调解,对方有时候连门都不肯开,让他们求助无门。因此,政府现在修订法律,让公园局可以规定屋主修剪会威胁到他人安全的树木,能够让一些居民放心许多。
不过我想进一步了解,威胁他人安全的定义是什么?假如是具有争议性的树木,既然住宅区的路边已经种了许多花草树木,公园局是否能命令屋主砍掉?
Madam Speaker, these clarifications notwithstanding, I support the bill. Thank you.