Fiesta in Victoria Park features slope safety (with photos)
The Government will spare no effort in minimising the risk of landslides and natural disasters in Hong Kong to ensure public safety, the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, said today (November 28).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the "Safer Slopes Safer Living Fiesta 2010" at Victoria Park, Mrs Lam said the Government's efforts in the past three decades had substantially improved slope safety. With the completion of the Landslip Preventive Measures Programme (LPMP), the overall landslide risk from man-made slopes has been significantly reduced.
"Building on the success of the LPMP, the newly-launched Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme (LPMitP) will systematically deal with both man-made slopes and natural hillsides in order to contain the overall landslide risk at a reasonably practicable low level," she said.
The Fiesta which is the first carnival event in Hong Kong focusing on slope safety and minimising the risk of natural disasters, was co-organised by the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Red Cross and the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies.
It aims to enhance public knowledge and awareness of slope safety and natural disasters. Apart from quizzes, booth games, performances and exhibitions, a "Disaster Adventure Pavilion" was set up for people to experience the power of various natural disasters such as landslides and typhoons.
The Fiesta is part of the public education campaign for the newly-launched LPMitP, which deals with both man-made slopes and natural hillsides with known hazards that are close to developments. The LPMitP will be implemented on a rolling basis annually to upgrade 150 government man-made slopes; conduct safety-screening studies on 100 private man-made slopes; and implement studies and necessary risk mitigation works for 30 natural hillside catchments.
Also officiating at the opening ceremony were the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Wai Chi-sing, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr John Chai, Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Dr Lee Boon-ying, Head of Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Mr Raymond Chan, Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Red Cross, Mrs Patricia Ling, and President of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, Dr Edmond Cheng.
Further information about the Fiesta and slope safety is available at the website: hkss.cedd.gov.hk.
Ends/Sunday, November 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:46
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