ENG-2008 — Page 271

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation 215

During the year, routine maintenance works were carried out on 5 900 slopes and stabilisation works on 360 slopes.

The Lands Department administers a 'Small House Policy' for indigenous villagers in the New Territories and approves rebuilding of old village houses. During the year, 958 applications for the building of small houses and 155 applications for the rebuilding of old village houses were approved. The department is also responsible for processing rent exemption requisitions for indigenous villagers' rural properties in accordance with the exemption criteria of the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance.

The Lands Department acts against illegal occupants of government land under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance and the Summary Offences Ordinance. The ordinances permit the department to

department to take enforcement action against unauthorised occupation, excavation, cultivation or other forms of trespass on government land. It also participates in joint efforts to control the spread of dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis. During the year, it carried out such work on 2 893 occasions. In addition, 854 warning letters were sent to leaseholders. In collaboration with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, it continues to operate a scheme for the display of non-commercial publicity materials or banners at 24 157 designated spots in public places.

The Lands Department took over squatter control work from the Housing Department on April 1, 2006. At present, there are about 6 800 surveyed squatter structures in the urban areas and 387 100 in the New Territories. During the year, 187 illegal structures and extensions were demolished by the Squatter Control Unit.

Land Conveyancing

The Legal Advisory and Conveyancing Office provides legal advice and conveyancing services in government land transactions, which include the effective drafting of all government land disposal, lease modification and acquisition documents. It processes applications for the sale of units under construction under the Lands Department Consent Scheme. In 2008, a total of 23 applications, involving 10 317 residential units, were approved. The Office also revised the definition of 'saleable area' in the agreement for the sale of uncompleted residential units to enhance clarity and transparency. The Office also approves Deeds of Mutua! Covenant. In 2008, 39 such Deeds were approved. It also processes apportionment of premium and government rents, and recovers arrears of government rents by re-entry or vesting action, where appropriate.

Survey and Mapping

The Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) of the Lands Department provides survey and mapping services in support of land administration and infrastructure development. It produces topographical maps, carries out land boundary surveys, establishes and maintains the Geodetic Network and the computerised Land Information System (LIS). It also provides support to the Land Survey Authority to administer the Land Survey Ordinance governing the registration and discipline of Authorised Land Surveyors and controlling the standard of land boundary surveys.