s 24A Trees and plants encroaching into drainage reserve
24A.—(1) Where the Board is satisfied that any tree or plant (whether or not dead or dying) on any premises adjoining a drainage reserve or any part of a drainage reserve is likely, by falling or otherwise —(a) to cause any obstruction to the flow of any storm water drainage system or the maintenance of any drain in the drainage reserve; or (b) to hinder the efficient operation of any storm water drainage system or drain in the drainage reserve, the Board may serve a notice requiring the occupier of the premises to take any measures (including cutting the tree or plant or any part of it) that the Board thinks fit within the time specified in the notice. (2) Any person on whom a notice mentioned in subsection (1) is served who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the notice shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000. (3) Where the person on whom the notice mentioned in subsection (1) is served fails to comply with the notice, an authorised officer may, at all reasonable hours in the day or night, or at any other time that may be agreed with the owner or occupier of the premises to which the notice relates, enter the premises and take such measures and execute such work as may be necessary to secure compliance with the notice. (4) Any expenses reasonably incurred by the Board under subsection (3) may be recovered from the person who failed to comply with the notice served on the person under subsection (1), and section 48 and, if that person is the owner of the premises, section 50 apply in respect of those expenses. (5) To avoid doubt —(a) this section does not prohibit the Board from carrying out any works specified in any notice under subsection (1) at the request of a person who has been served with the notice upon an undertaking by that person to pay the costs and expenses in executing the works; and (b) any measures taken or work executed under subsection (3) by an authorised officer does not affect any proceedings that may be taken against a person for an offence under subsection (2).[Act 42 of 2022 wef 01/11/2024]