EditorialAction required on Hong Kong’s illegal structures for sake of public safety

The worst rainstorm to hit Hong Kong in more than a century has not only wreaked havoc, but also highlighted the long-standing problem of illegal structures and unlawful land use, which has been woefully compounded over the years by slack enforcement action.

Confirmation that there were illegal structures and unlawful occupation of land at Redhill Peninsula, a luxurious residential enclave in the south of Hong Kong Island, is hardly surprising. Breaches came to light after last week’s downpour washed away part of a slope in the area and left some villas hanging precariously with underlying structures exposed. Occupants of one property were evacuated pending emergency reinforcement works, while safety checks at two neighbouring houses were being carried out.

The government has, once again, vowed to take resolute action against violations. But the problem would not have become so bad had officials been stricter about enforcement from the start. Unlike village houses in the New Territories and many old blocks in the urban areas, the upscale properties in Tai Tam are tucked away on a secluded site off limits to non-residents, making reporting and inspections difficult. It would not be surprising if other houses in the area are also found to have been subject to unauthorised work. But will the authorities have the will and manpower to check them out individually?

Concern has been raised as to whether the illegal work may have contributed to the landslide which, thankfully, did not result in casualties. With unapproved structures and alterations seemingly common across the city, questions must be asked about those who carry out such work. They appear to have breached their own professional code and the law, and made a mockery of the statutory safeguards that are in place to protect the public.

Thanks to growing public attention heightened by an ombudsman report in 2011 highlighting the problems with village houses, this is not the first time occupiers, including the rich and famous, have been found to be involved in such scandals. A registration scheme that offered owners the chance of a reprieve if they reported unapproved work was also launched, but the lukewarm response it received underlined a general disregard for the law.