Avocet Pde OPW - App E Slope · OPW20/0092

Prctogupnacatmey of Geg Kote aid Tow Pilie

AUSTRALIAN GEOGUIDE LR1 (INTRODUCTION)

 

lINTRODUCTION TO LANDSLIDE RISK

 

 

 

AUSTRALIAN GEOGUIDES

The Australian GeoGuides (LR series) are a set of information sheets on the subject of landslide nsk management and
maintenance, published by the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS). They provide background information intended to
help people without specialist technical knowledge understand the basic issues involved. Topics covered include:

LR1 - Introduction LR2 - Landslides LR3 - Landslides in Soil

LR4 - Landslides in Rock LR5 - Water & Drainage LR6 - Retaining Walls

LR7 - Landslide Risk LR& - Hillside Construction LR® - Effiuent & Surface Water Disposal
LR10 - Coastal Landslides LR11 - Record Keeping

The GeoGuides explain why slopes and retaining structures can be a hazard and what can be done with appropnate
professional advice and local authority approval (if required) to remove. or reduce, the nsk they represent.

Preparation of the GeoGuides has been funded by Australian governments through the National Disaster Mitigation Program
(NDMP). This is a national program aimed at identifying and addressing natural disaster risk priorities across Australia.
Technical input has been provided by experienced geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists and local government and
goverment agency representatives from around Australia.

BACKGROUND

A number of landslides and cliff collapses occurred in Ausiralia in the 1980's and 1990's in which fives were lost. Of these the
Thredbo landslide probably received the most publicity, but there were several others. During this period the AGS issued a
number of advisory notes to practitioners in relation te the assessment of landstide risk and its reduction. Building on these
Notes, and responding to changes in technology. a technical paper known as AGS2000 was prepared. It was followed in 2002
by an intensive nation-wide educational campaign attended by a lange number of interested professionals from government
departments and prvate industry. This resulted in an increased awareness of the risks associated with unstable slopes and 3
changed approach im many government departments responsible for regional planning, domestic development, roads, ralways
and the maintenance of natural features such as cliffs.

STATUS OF THE GEOQGUIDES

The GeoGuides reflect the essence of good practice as perceived by a large number of geotechnical engineers, engineering
ee ee other practitioners such as local government a The sacGites are generic and do not, and a eanecs.
b st be it

 

hand — of the site. {ft is expected that some local councils will Sinan ete ee
publications in planning and building legislation. Check with your local council to see how it regards these documents.
Companion publications to the GeoGuides are:

»* AGS (2007a) Guideline for Landslide Susceptibility, Hazard and Risk Zoning for Land Use Management Australian
Geomechanics Society, Australian Geomechanics, Vol 42, Not and its associated commentary (AGS 2007b).

* AGS (2007c). Practice Note Guidelines for Landslide Risk Management. Australian Geomechanics Society
Australian Geomechanics, Vol 42, No1 2007. and its associated "Commentary" (AGS 2007¢).

Copies of the above documents are available on the AGS website wew.australiangeomechanics org

160 Australian Geomechanics Vol 42 No 1 March 2007