LCQ5: Slope safety management
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Question:
In its direct investigation operation report on the Government's work on landslide prevention and mitigation and management of government slopes published in January this year, the Office of The Ombudsman put forward a series of recommendations and indicated that in the second stage of the investigation, it would examine the Government's determination of slope maintenance responsibility and risk management of private slopes. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the follow-up work undertaken by the Government in response to the recommendations set out in the aforesaid report; given that in the reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2026-2027, the Government indicated that it would enhance the Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme (LPMitP), whether the measures under the LPMitP will include the application of latest technologies such as artificial intelligence and data management to strengthen slope safety management; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) as it is learnt that disputes frequently arise over maintenance responsibility for private man-made slopes, and that ordinary owners or small property management companies may not possess the professional knowledge or experience to properly manage and maintain such slopes, whether the Government has specific measures in place to assist owners in clarifying and fulfilling the relevant maintenance responsibility; and
(3) whether the relevant government departments will strengthen their collaboration to enhance the risk management and monitoring of private slopes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Development Bureau and its subordinate departments have been enhancing slope safety. In January 2026, the Office of The Ombudsman (the Office) released the direct investigation report "Government's Work on Landslide Prevention and Mitigation and Management of Government Slopes", which recognised the work of the relevant government departments. The current landslide risk in Hong Kong has been substantially lowered compared with the early years.
My respective replies to the various parts of the Hon Michelle Tang's question are as follows:
(1) The Office recommended that the Government continue to optimise risk assessment and safety management for man-made slopes and natural hillsides, and strengthen cross-departmental data sharing and technology application to address landslide risks brought by extreme weather. The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has formulated multiple measures in response to the Office's recommendations.
The CEDD will continue to implement the Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme. Starting from 2025, the CEDD has been progressively increasing the annual target output of the programme. Under the risk-based approach, priority is given to the risk management of man-made slopes and natural hillsides located adjacent to sole vehicular access roads, which could have relatively high potential impacts on the daily lives of citizens.
The CEDD will complete the Smart Slope Catalogue within this year, expanding the database to cover natural hillsides that may affect existing facilities and integrating mitigation works records, maintenance records, rainfall data, landslide history, etc. This will provide relevant departments with a more comprehensive information platform to utilise artificial intelligence and big data analytics to enhance management and monitoring efficiency.
For example, the CEDD will commission the AI Landslip Warning System this year. By utilising information in the Smart Slope Catalogue together with rainfall data and precipitation forecasts, the system applies artificial intelligence analytics to further enhance the early warning capability for landslide risks.
The CEDD will continue to closely monitor technological advancements, and develop and introduce innovative technologies. This includes using a drone management system for slope monitoring and emergency management to strengthen data collection and analytics capabilities.
(2) Owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of private man-made slopes. In Hong Kong, there are about 16 000 private man-made slopes and over 6 000 man-made slopes with mixed responsibilities where the Government and private owners are responsible for different parts of the slopes. The maintenance responsibilities for most of these slopes are clearly stipulated in the land lease for the private properties. As the designated department for determining maintenance responsibilities of private man-made slopes, the Lands Department (LandsD) has uploaded the determination results over the years to the Slope Maintenance Responsibility Information System (www.slope.landsd.gov.hk) to facilitate public inspection. The LandsD plans to issue notices in batches starting from the second quarter this year to inform concerned owners of the determination results in a more proactive and direct manner.
The Development Bureau and its subordinate departments provide owners with technical and financial support in several areas. First, they assist owners in identifying man-made slopes that pose safety risks and require follow-up. In this regard, the CEDD selects private slopes annually for safety-screening studies based on a "risk-based" approach. If there are signs of significant damage or potential hazards, the Buildings Department (BD) will issue a Dangerous Hillside Order (DH Order), requiring private owners to conduct investigation and repair works. After a DH Order is issued, the BD will proactively arrange on-site inspections with the owners and their appointed professionals, and explain the compliance requirements and procedures. For cases where no substantial progress has been made for a long time past the deadline, the BD will carry out default works while taking prosecution action.
Second, they provide technical and financial support. The CEDD has published several publications related to slope maintenance, including the Layman's Guide to Slope Maintenance and Geoguide 5. In addition, the CEDD and BD assisted the Property Management Services Authority in formulating a Slope Management Work - Best Practice Guide for the industry. The BD's Building Safety Loan Scheme and the Urban Renewal Authority's Integrated Building Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme provide financial support to eligible owners for carrying out maintenance works.
Third, they strengthen public awareness and education. The Government will continue to step up efforts in this area through various channels. For example, the BD has uploaded short videos on slope safety on its website and social media platforms. Relevant departments will also continue to organise seminars and exhibitions to increase the awareness of owners, owners' corporations, and property management companies regarding slope safety management.
(3) As mentioned above, the risk management of private slopes is divided among different departments. The LandsD is responsible for determining maintenance responsibilities; the CEDD selects private slopes for safety-screening studies; and the BD is responsible for enforcement work regarding DH Orders.
A high-level inter-departmental working group comprising the three departments holds regular meetings at least twice a year to promptly resolve complex cases and responsibility disputes. The departments will also share information and experience. We will continue to strengthen cross-departmental collaboration through this high-level mechanism to ensure effective slope management.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:35
Issued at HKT 17:35
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