Slope safety: Secretary for Development Carrie Lam and guests launch the Landslip Prevention & Mitigation Programme.

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam today launched the Geotechnical Engineering Office's new Landslip Prevention & Mitigation Programme.

It takes over from the Landslip Preventive Measures Programme which saw 7,000 man-made slopes upgraded since 1977, cutting the overall landslide risk from man-made slopes by 75%.

Ms Lam said the new programme will dovetail with the previous one, dealing with man-made slopes and natural hillsides with known hazards close to buildings and important transport corridors.

"The fact that over 1,000 landslides happened on natural hillsides during the severe rainstorm in Hong Kong on June 7, 2008, shows the inclusion of natural hillsides in the new programme is a right and forward-looking decision," she said, predicting annual expenditure on this new programme will be at least $600 million.

It will upgrade 150 government man-made slopes, conduct safety-screening studies on 100 private man-made slopes, and implement studies and risk mitigation works for 30 natural hillside catchments annually.

To promote public awareness of the new programme a three-day exhibition will be held at Maritime Square, Tsing Yi, April 30 to May 2. Click here for details.