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A comprehensive review of the consequence-to-life categorisation for slopes had been carried out. The term "low" for the middle category of consequence would be revised accordingly. This would not affect Government's decision to include slopes close to busy roads and footpaths in the LPM Programme.
Mr Blake pointed out that approval had been given and additional funds had been obtained for stepping up the publicity campaign on slope maintenance.
Leaflets, posters and an animated 30-second TV Announcement of Public Interest (API) on slope maintenance had been produced.
The GEO would also assist the Home Affairs Department to produce a promotional video on building management to explain to Owners' Corporations and Mutual Aid Committees that it was the responsibility of property owners to carry out maintenance of slopes within their property lots.
Geotechnical guidelines on slope maintenance, for use by professionals, and the layman's guide to Slope Maintenance were being prepared and would be published later in the year.
The Works Branch had set up a working group on maintenance of buried services with participation of the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, BD, Housing Department, GEO, Drainage Services Department, Highways Department, Water Supplies Department and Architectural Services Department.
An Advisory Note has been prepared covering inspection and repair of buried services where leakages might have an impact on slope safety. This will be issued to Owners' Corporations, Mutual Aid Committees, authorised persons and registered structural engineers.
In addition, further detailed consideration was being given to development of a register of the maintenance responsibilities for all man-made slopes and ways of strengthening geotechnical control of slopes on privately- occupied land through legislation.
Speaking of flood control in the New Territories, Mr Blake pointed out that projects being implemented by the Drainage Services Department, at a total estimated cost of about $5 billion, comprised main river training works for the Shenzhen River, the Shan Pui River and the Kam Tin River, and flood protection schemes for low- lying flood prone villages.
A total of 15 such schemes were in operation.