LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
Stage II and III works are under detailed design and construction will commence progressively starting from end-1999.
The DSD is also commissioning seven Drainage Master Plan Studies to review the condition and performance of the existing stormwater drainage systems in all flood- prone areas in Hong Kong. Measures to upgrade the systems to cope with current and future development pressures will be devised. The first study has been completed and the rest will be completed progressively before mid 2000. Maintenance of main watercourses passing through private land was a major problem in the past. The DSD is now empowered under the Land Drainage Ordinance (LDO) to gain access. through private land to carry out drainage works and remove obstructions in gazetted main watercourses. Under this arrangement, efficient maintenance and conservation of the capacities of these watercourses can be effected to reduce the probability and severity of flooding.
Geotechnical Engineering
The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) was established after landslip disasters. in the 1970s. The control of geotechnical aspects of construction works and upgrading of substandard slopes to reduce landslip risk, continue to be its main duties. Geotechnical checks were made on 11 800 design proposals during the year. As part of the implementation of the recommendations of the Slope Safety Review Report endorsed by the Executive Council in February 1995, increased resources were provided to further accelerate the Landslip Preventive Measures (LPM) Programme. During 1998, a total of $774 million was spent on the LPM Programme to increase the annual output of slope upgrading works. LPM works were completed on 229 government slopes and statutory Dangerous Hillside Orders. were recommended for 338 private slopes. Preliminary studies were completed on all registered old slopes and detailed geotechnical investigations were completed on 646 slopes.
In September 1998, the main slope cataloguing work under the 'Systematic Identification and Registration of Slopes in the Territory' (SIRST) project was completed and regular updating of the New Catalogue of Slope will continue. The 'Systematic Identification of Maintenance Responsibility of Slopes' (SIMAR) project is scheduled for completion in 1999. A new computerised Slope Information System (SIS) has been compiled containing important information on all sizeable man-made slopes and retaining walls in the HKSAR; information from the SIS will be available on the internet by early 1999.
The GEO strives for continuous improvement. During the year, a mission statement and a five-year strategic plan to achieve the mission have been developed. The 24-hour slope safety hotline: 2885 5888 has been enhanced with addition of Putonghua to the existing Cantonese and English services and more information on slope maintenance and slope safety. The emergency system for providing professional assistance in landslip incidents has been upgraded through improvements in communications and transport.
The GEO continued the public education campaigns on slope maintenance and slope safety warnings by, inter alia, wide distribution of promotional booklets and pamphlets, attending media interviews and public seminars, mounting displays at popular shopping centres and advertising in MTR stations. The landslip
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