XN000022-1996-05-01 — Page 76

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Reply:

Mr President,

The duty to maintain private slopes rests with the owners. When the Buildings Department (BD) issues a Dangerous Hillside Order, the owner is normally required to complete certain works within specified time limits including the appointment of an authorised person or consultant. A reasonable time limit will be imposed in cognisance of the scope and complexity of various works involved. Permanent civil engineering works of this nature comprising the investigation, design and construction phases will normally take two to three years to complete. Where circumstances warrant, temporary protective works may also be required within a relatively short period of time before the commencement of permanent works. In adverse times where adequate safeguards cannot be taken promptly, it may be necessary in exceptional cases to temporarily evacuate residents and close the affected buildings. Warning notices will also be posted at conspicuous positions on site to keep people away from the affected area when BD staff serve such an Order.

The authorised person and/or the consultant appointed by the owner is required to be responsible for taking precautionary measures and giving warning of impending danger prior to completion of permanent works. The precautionary measures may include the installation of instrumentation for close monitoring of slope stability, the protection of exposed slope works, the provision of temporary surface drains and the maintenance of these systems in good working order. In this connection, with the onset of the rainy season this year a reminder has recently been sent to the professionals concerned to draw attention to the need to take appropriate measures as mentioned so as to ensure safety of the slopes concerned.

In the event that the owner fails to comply with the requirements under an Order, BD will appoint a consultant to proceed with the works in his default. BD is also empowered to carry out emergency work deemed necessary to obviate any imminent danger of slope failure. Currently, some 35% of these private slope Orders are in default by owners and are now under the control of geotechnical consultants appointed by BD.

In the unfortunate event of a landslip on a private slope, the emergency response capability of the works Group is available to assist as if it were a public slope. Key departments such as Civil Engineering, Highways, Drainage Services, Electrical & Mechanical Services and Architectural Services all have contingency plans to set up control centres in times of emergency to liaise with Police and Fire Services to ensure that technical assistance is provided as soon as possible.

End