The Development Bureau has accepted the Ombudsman’s recommendations concerning the handling of complaints involving trees on government land.

Following the release of an investigative report on the matter by the Ombudsman, the bureau stressed in a statement today that its Tree Management Office (TMO) had undertaken a series of improvement measures beginning in early 2022.

It said the TMO has enhanced its complaint handling procedures, requesting that tree management departments reply to general complaints within 14 working days. It added that complaint statistics and handling times are now monitored.

The bureau highlighted that the TMO has also stepped in earlier to assist in mediation and adjudication in cases where tree management departments have been in dispute over where responsibilities lies. Lessons from such cases are then shared to reduce future disputes.

Additionally, tree management departments have established internal procedures to monitor the progress of the implementation of risk mitigation works.

The bureau noted that with the implementation of these improvement measures, overdue tree-related complaint cases have been reduced by over 90%, while complaint handling times have been shortened.

It added that together with tree management departments, it will continue its efforts to manage trees properly in a way that fosters green living while safeguarding public safety.