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The Development Bureau and the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) have completed follow-up actions regarding the failure of Maryknoll Convent School to fully comply with the conditions and terms of the relevant permits when carrying out tree works and drainage works within the monument boundary of the school. The AMO issued to the school today (July 30) an advisory letter, reiterating that the school should strictly comply with requirements under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance and the permits.
The AMO also requested the school to implement improvement measures, including enhancing communications with its works agents on issues relevant to the ordinance and the permits and enhancing monitoring of works carried out on the school campus. The AMO will ensure that the school will make the necessary improvements.
The school complex of Maryknoll Convent School was declared a monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance on May 16, 2008. In accordance with the requirements under section 6(1) of the ordinance, any person who carries out building or other works or plants or removes trees in a monument shall do so in accordance with the permit granted by the Secretary for Development.
Within its monument boundary, the school removed 18 trees for reasons of pest attack and ensuring safety in December 2008, planted seven trees for school greening work in December 2009 and carried out drainage works in January 2010. In carrying out these works, the school had not in advance submitted information such as works details to the AMO, nor notified the AMO in advance of the commencement date and the estimated completion date of the works, as required under the permit issued to it. The drainage works damaged the roots of a Norfolk Island Pine Tree in the campus and the school had it removed in February 2010 in accordance with the permit requirements for protecting the safety of teachers, students and the public.
The AMO followed up with the school on the above matters immediately and sought legal advice based on the information provided by the school. Taking into consideration that these works were part and parcel of the school's care for its environment and efforts to ensure public safety, and that the works did not damage the monument buildings, and having regard to all other relevant considerations, the Department of Justice decided not to prosecute the school.
The Commissioner for Heritage's Office and the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau will enhance liaison with the AMO and continue promoting to monument owners the preservation of the trees within monument boundaries. They will also provide monument owners with relevant information and organise seminars for them from time to time. In addition, in support of the Government's tree preservation policy, the AMO will be alert to the impact of any works carried out within monument boundaries on trees and recommend to monument owners feasible measures for tree preservation.
Ends/Friday, July 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:36
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