Sustainability Report

Other Stakeholder Engagement Activities

Alongside promotion and publicity initiatives, engaging the industry, working partners, and local communities in amicable exchange is another focal point of DSD's work. We continue to nurture a culture of cooperative partnership by holding various site visits, experience sharing sessions, and incentive programmes. Our representatives attend District Council (DC) meetings regularly and take part in many exhibitions. We also receive community groups and schools visiting DSD facilities to promote our operation to the public.

Joining Hands with Working Partners

Promoting Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

As in previous years, we rolled out multiple safety measures and activities, including experience sharing sessions and the Construction Sites Housekeeping Award Scheme, in an effort to raise the overall safety levels across our sites.

Experience Sharing Sessions

Through organising experience sharing sessions with different topics, we offer our working partners an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with one another. In the third quarter of 2016, we invited speakers from the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and China Light Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) to join our in-house colleagues to share their hands-on experience and tips on electricity safety and cable protection. Prevailing relevant legislation, safety guidelines and codes of practices were also reviewed. In the first quarter of 2017, we covered two near-miss incidents at DSD sites at another experience sharing session with a view to preventing recurrence in the future by studying the causes and reminding participants the necessity to strictly implement safety inspection and checking procedures.

Construction Sites Housekeeping Award Scheme 2016

While striving to improve safety awareness amongst DSD colleagues, project consultants and contractors, we have also included housekeeping improvement at construction sites as an OSH management target. We have been organising the annual Construction Sites Housekeeping Award Scheme since 2004, encouraging DSD colleagues, project consultants and contractors to work together to improve site tidiness and cleanliness. Assessment criteria for site performance include cleanliness, tidiness and site appearance, hygienic condition and mosquito control and environmental nuisance control.

This year, all 36 participating teams staged stellar performance in housekeeping, environmental protection, staff caring and relationship with neighbourhood. This remarkable result was attributable to collaborative efforts of the contractors, project consultants and DSD colleagues. At the award presentation ceremony, DSD's senior management urged all project teams to strike for a win-win outcome by expanding empathy and using their best endeavour to minimise the impact of construction projects on the public.

Launch of New Engineering Contract

Through our proactive application of New Engineering Contract (NEC), DSD is implementing drainage works with our working partners by innovating collaboration. Comparing with conventional contract, NEC is more focused on advocating close cooperation, joint management and risk-sharing among all working parties. This approach establishes rapport between the project management division and contractors while preventing disputes, reducing risks arising from project delay, and improving construction efficiency.

In the past eight years, DSD has issued 32 NECs covering civil engineering projects, electrical and mechanical engineering projects, maintenance works and consultancy services. With a view to actively promote NEC to the construction industry, DSD has issued 13 NECs in the past year alone, which accounted for over 40% of the total number of NECs.

As a major NEC user, DSD collaborated with different stakeholders in the construction industry to organise symposiums, workshops and training courses to promote how NEC can improve cost effectiveness and reduce risks. On 20 October 2016, DSD and CLP jointly organised a workshop to share our first-hand experience in using NEC in maintenance work contracts.

Stakeholder Workshop

NEC was introduced in DSD's Minor Drainage Improvement Works in Northern Hong Kong Island and North District. The contract covered minor improvement works for stormwater drainage and sewerage systems at 18 locations in Wan Chai, Central and Western, North and Yuen Long Districts. On 24 February 2017, an NEC Partnering Workshop was held for this project, aspiring to build partnership and mutual trust, and to encourage cooperation and align the objectives of DSD with the Contractor and the Consultant.

At the workshop, the facilitator shared the four cornerstones for successful partnering: trust and cooperation, mutual objectives, continuous improvement and joint problem solving and decisions. Participants took part in exercises that showed the need to challenge our beliefs and assumptions if we were to excel as a team. There was also a simulation game that demonstrated how organisations needed to work together to achieve a win-win outcome. Tools were provided for the teams to solve pressing problems and devise action plans.

After expressing their individual views, participants reached consensus on the objectives for this contract, including early completion for 6 months, within budget, zero accident and zero defect at handover. A non-binding Partnering Charter for the contract was signed. Everyone enjoyed the workshop and contributed enthusiastically. The next important step is to build on this willingness to establish greater cooperation and to implement collaboratively the partnering improvement initiatives generated at the workshop. In the spirit of mutual trust and co-operation, and with the effective project management tools offered in NEC contract, we are confident that we can overcome challenges and achieve the mutual objectives of the contract.

Stakeholder Interview

Liaison with District Council (DC) Members

To maintain close links with the community, DSD representatives attend DC meetings regularly. During the year under review, the Director of Drainage Services and departmental representatives joined meetings convened by the Wan Chai, Tuen Mun, Tai Po, Kwai Tsing, Sham Shui Po and Island DCs to detail our major projects to DC members of relevant local districts and listened to their views.

Ongoing Communication with Green Groups

In addition to building links with DCs, we cherished communication with green groups. In the past year, DSD arranged three meetings to exchange views with Green Power, World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, the Conservancy Association, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Save Lantau Alliance and Designing Hong Kong. Discussions were held over wide-ranging issues, including enhancing the ecological value of rivers, revitalising water bodies, promoting biodiversity and fostering a water-friendly culture in DSD projects.

DSD R&D Tea Gathering 2016

DSD maintains close ties with the industry and the academic circle. During the year, while hosting the DSD Research & Development Forum 2016 (for details see Chapter 2 Highlights of the Year), we held DSD R&D Tea Gathering 2016 at Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (SCISTW) on 21 April 2016. The event was attended by 40 academics from ten universities and research institutes.

The Director of Drainage Services, Mr. Edwin TONG Ka-hung, led members of the academic circle for a tour to SCISTW facilities and shared with them the current and future directions and scope of DSD's Research &Development initiatives. DSD colleagues also presented the latest sewage treatment techniques and their applications. This event enabled DSD and the academics to gain insight in each other’s work and paved the way for future collaboration.

Exhibitions and Seminars

Science in the Public Service

DSD is a long-time supporter of the Science in the Public Service (SIPS), an annual campaign co-organised by several government bureaux and departments. The theme for SIPS 2016 is “Climate Change - Our Response”.

During the “Science in the Public Service - Ten Years of Passion Lecture Series” at the Science Museum on 20 August and 5 October 2016, Mr. KAN Hon-shing, Chief Engineer, and Mr. Richard LEUNG Wah-ming, Senior Engineer, introduced the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme (HVUSSS) and the concept of revitalising water bodies respectively. They explained to the public how we tackle flooding risks arising from rapid urban development and extreme weather.

Eco Expo Asia 2016

We participated in the 11^th Eco Expo Asia held from 26 to 29 October 2016 at AsiaWorld-Expo.

Using visual tools in a tablet with augmented reality (AR) technology, visitors could get a quick idea of the design and operation of in-cavern sewage treatment facilities. DSD professionals also gave commentaries to better inform the public of our major project - Relocation of Shatin Sewage Treatment Works to Caverns.

InnoCarnival 2016

DSD joined the InnoCarnival held between 29 October 2016 and 6 November 2016 in Hong Kong Science Park to promote our flood prevention initiatives to the general public. Echoing the theme “Smart Living‧Innovative Hong Kong”, new AR technology was deployed in the DSD booth to give the public an immersive experience of the underground stormwater storage tank at the Happy Valley Recreation Ground.

2016 China Marine Economy Expo

Together with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO), DSD joined the 2016 China Marine Economy Expo organised by the State Oceanic Administration and the Guangdong Provincial People's Government was held from 24 to 27 November 2016 in Zhanjiang, Guangdong. Flagging the theme “Innovation, Green Development, Opening up, Cooperation”, this year's event attracted business enterprises from 53 countries. DSD's projects Harbour Area Treatment Scheme and Relocation of Shatin Sewage Treatment Works to Caverns were featured at the Hong Kong pavilion Blue Marine set up by the GDETO.

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2017

DSD was an exhibitor of Hong Kong Flower Show 2017 held between 10 and 19 March 2017 in Victoria Park. Our exhibit “Blossoms of Love – Wetland” was awarded the Grand Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display). Evolved from the concept “Blue-Green Infrastructure for You and Me”, the design gives visitors a water-friendly experience.

Community Activities

Greening the Cyberport Seafront

On 18 June 2016, we held a planting event “Greening the Cyberport Seafront” at the Cyberport seafront and invited more than 30 representatives from nearby housing estates and schools to join the event. Upon completion of the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel and the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme construction works, DSD would green the exconstruction site at Cyberport Seafront to provide pleasant leisure space for the local community.

DSD Open Day 2016

DSD Open Day was held at Shatin Sewage Treatment Works on 15 and 16 October 2016. Under the theme “Blue-Green Infrastructure for You and Me”, the event presented DSD's work on flood prevention, sewage treatment and combating climate change with thematic guided tours, display panels, model exhibitions and game booths.

Job Shadowing

We continued our joint effort with Hong Kong Christian Service - Kwun Tong Happy Teens Club and rolled out the 4th DSD Job Shadowing Activity on 30 December 2016. Over 20 Form 4 to Form 6 secondary students from Kwun Tong District took on one-day “jobs” under the scheme. The activity aims to assist young people in establishing life values and encouraging them to make an early start in future planning. The students were assigned to “work” in different divisions under the guidance of 10 workplace mentors, gaining knowledge about DSD's river revitalisation projects and assisting laboratory work. Everyone carried out the “duties” assigned by the workplace mentors earnestly. This interaction with the mentors was a great opportunity for self-discovery.

Educational Visits and Outreach

Group Visits

Every year, DSD promotes our departmental work by hosting visits for different community groups and schools at our facilities. In 2016, we received over 8,000 visitors from primary and secondary schools as well as Mainland and overseas organisations.

Educational Outreach

We conduct educational outreach programmes regularly, visiting schools and introducing the Department's work and projects to students and teachers. In 2016, we visited 13 schools and gave them an overview on DSD's work in flood prevention and sewage treatment.

Stakeholder Interview