XN000022-1995-11-02 — Page 56

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Revising the Catalogue

There are about 10,800 slope features in the Catalogue compiled in 1977/78, We have estimated that some 25,000 additional slopes formed before the setting up of the Geotechnical Control Office in 1977 will likely be identified and added to the Catalogue. The reason for this substantial increase in number is that the Catalogue of 1977/78 concentrated on man-made slopes in urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Only the larger man-made slopes in the New Territories were included. By adopting the urban areas' man-made slope registration criteria for the New Territories, the number of additional slopes to be included will therefore be significant. We plan to request for more resources in the next financial year in order to follow up with investigation and upgrading works where necessary.

In addition, man-made slopes formed after the setting up of the Geotechncial Control Office will also be included in the Catalogue.

Natural Slopes

Natural slopes cover some 60% of the total land area in Hong Kong. While it is impractical to catalogue every single natural land feature in the Territory, we have commenced a consultancy study to prepare a catalogue of old landslide sites on natural hillsides over the Territory from aerial photographs. This study is expected to be completed in March 1996.

The catalogue of old landslide sites will be used for assessment of the risk posed by natural hillsides which will take about one year to complete. Necessary follow up actions would then be made after these assessments.

Other Measures

Besides expressing concern on the need to accelerate slope improvement works, Members also asked the Government for details of other measures being implemented as mentioned in the Policy Address and suggested that risk assessment criteria should be amended. We wish to briefly advise Members of the progress on the following works.