Landslides can occur anywhere but they’ve been particularly noticeable in several areas of the north west and the Tamar Valley, as well as specific areas in and around Hobart, Launceston and St Helens.

While our state’s planning controls will often help avoid some types of landslide hazard, there are other types that still pose a threat. You can help reduce the effects of landslides by knowing what to do:

• Learn about the landslide risk in your area and consult available landslide mapping/zoning.
• Be aware that landslide insurance is not available anywhere in Australia.
• Comply with planning controls in relation to slope stability.
• Make sure that any construction work does not increase the landslide risk by having a landslide risk assessment undertaken by a suitably qualified practitioner.
• Learn how to recognise initial signs of a landslide, which may include:
  • movement of structures such as decks and patios in relation to the house
  • sticking doors and windows, indicating distorted jambs and frames
  • tilting or cracking of concrete floors and foundations
  • offset fences or retaining walls
  • breaks in services, such as water pipes and sewers
  • long, continuous cracks (often curved) opening in the ground
  • ground dropping in some parts and possibly rising in others.