HDB HOUSING ESTATES (Repairs to damaged grass areas)

Dr Ho Tat Kin asked the Minister for National Development how much was spent in each of the years 1983 to 1987 to repair and re-turf damaged grass areas in Housing and Development Board estates; what were the main causes of the damage; and what measures his Ministry is taking to reduce such expenses.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, in the early eighties, the HDB used to spend approximately $300,000 a year to repair and re-turf damaged grass areas in the housing estates. This expenditure was reduced to about $250,000 in 1987.

Grass areas are damaged mainly because some residents burn joss paper on the grass on festive occasions. The other causes of damage are children playing games and pedestrians taking short cuts. The turfed areas are not designed for such intensive uses and are therefore damaged.

To seek the cooperation of residents to refrain from indiscriminate burning of joss paper, the HDB has placed metal bins at convenient locations of the blocks, put up posters and distributed pamphlets urging residents to burn joss paper in the containers. HDB is also trying out, on a trial basis, a better designed joss paper burner for use by residents during the festive season.

The Board mounted periodic campaigns jointly with the Residents' Committees to inculcate in residents a greater sense of social responsibility when burning joss paper. HDB has also appealed for cooperation through the mass media and "Our Home" magazine. These campaigns and educational programmes will be intensified.

To cut down the instances of damage to grass areas by children playing on them, the HDB has worked together with the Residents' Committees to seek the cooperation of the residents to make use of multi-purpose courts, designated play areas and open fields for games.

To further reduce damage due to short cuts made across turfed areas, the HDB will construct pavements where necessary.

The HDB, together with the grassroots organizations, is intensifying efforts to reduce damage to grass areas. Ultimately, the success of the measures depends on the cooperation of the residents themselves.