The HK Home Improvement Guide

(a)The owner should arrange for a Stability Assessment to be carried out by a professionally qualified geotechnical engineer. A Stability Assessment should also be carried out if significant modifications have occurred to the slope or retaining wall or to the adjacent area, or if significant deterioration of the slope or retaining wall has occurred.
(b) The public can check from the Land Registry whether a Dangerous Hillside Order has been served on the owners of a private slope.

Some typical signs of landslide danger are

• Landslip debris on roads and footpaths

• New large cracks or ground subsidence in slope

• Mud, rocks, fragments of concrete/brick and uprooted vegetation, falling from slope

• Sudden change of colour of water flowing from slope

• Concentrated water overflowing onto slope

• Cement/concrete surface bulging/being dislodged or signs of soil erosion

• Breaking of catchwaters, serious overflow from catchpits or drains

• Flooding of water in hilly areas

• Sudden increase in seepage over an extensive area of slope

• Keep away from these slopes and retaining wall;

• Report to the police immediately;

• Notify the owner or property manager.

4.

Landslip warnings are issued by the HK Observatory and broadcasted on radio and television to alert the public. Appropriate warning signs will be erected for the following slopes (samples below):
1. Private slopes served with Dangerous Hillside Order
2. Government slopes pending upgrading works
3. Slopes affecting squatters
4. Slopes along busy roads with a history of landslips

1    2     3   4

In addition, appropriate warning signs will be erected for the following natural terrain landslide hazard mitigation works or facilities (samples below):
1. Natural terrain landslide hazard mitigation works sites
2. Natural terrain landslide hazard mitigation works facilities

1    2   

5.

Relevant information can be obtained from the following sources
(a) Responsibility from Slope Maintenance Responsibility Information System website of Lands Department http://www.slope.landsd.gov.hk/smris/ 
(b) Substandard government slopes or slope information through the web site of the Civil Engineering and Development Department  http://hkss.cedd.gov.hk 
(c) List of registered geotechnical engineers (RGE) through the website of the Buildings Department http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/inform/index_ap.html
(d) List of registered contractors through the website of the Buildings Department http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/inform/index_ap.html

6.

Are the private lot owners responsible for the slopes outside but adjacent to their lot boundary?

Private lot owners should examine their relevant lease documents to find out whether they are responsible for the slopes outside but adjacent to their lot boundary and to ascertain the extent of the land they are required to maintain. Where appropriate, professional advice may need to be sought from lawyers or estate surveyors on the interpretation of the lease documents in respect of maintenance responsibility. The public can also access the Slope Maintenance Responsibility Information System (SMRIS) through the Internet web site (http://www.slope.landsd.gov.hk/smris/) to check the maintenance responsibility of slopes. It should be noted that the SMRIS only provides preliminary information on maintenance responsibility of slopes.

7.

How many man-made slopes are there in HK and who is responsible for maintenance?

There are about 60,000 sizeable man-made slopes in Hong Kong registered in the New Catalogue of Slopes, comprising:

• About 40,000 government slopes; and
• About 20,000 private slopes. 

8.

Where can I obtain advice regarding slope safety issues (e.g. costs of slope works) ?

The Community Advice and Education Section (CAE) (Tel: 2760 5800) of Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) under Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) provides advisory and information services to the general public on matters relating to slope safety and slope maintenance works.

9.

(a) What is the frequency of routine maintenance inspection?
(b) Is the engineer inspection a legal requirement?

(a) The recommended frequency of routine maintenance inspection is a minimum of once every year and after every rainstorm.
(b) The engineer inspection is not a legal requirement, but it is a recommended practice to ensure slopes in good condition and reduce the probability of instability.

10.

How does the Government reduce landslip risk in man-made slopes?

• To dovetail with completion of the 10-year Extended Landslip Preventive Measures Programme in 2010 which upgraded high priority existing slopes, the government has commenced the Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme covering man-made slopes as well as natural terrains posing risks
• Maintaining all government slopes
• Upgrading old slopes as part of new public works projects
• Promoting private slope maintenance and public awareness in slope safety through public education, publicity, information services and public warnings
• Ensure safety standards of new slopes through geotechnical control