DSD’s sustainable development hinges upon building an interactive and long-term partnerships with our stakeholders. We are happy to introduce our work projects to our stakeholders, while listening to different opinions. During the year, we organised a wide range of stakeholder engagement activities and actively participated in community events. DSD staff members even played a direct role to give back to society by involving in volunteer services and charitable activities.

To keep the public informed of the benefits and impacts of DSD projects and services on the communities, we organised public engagement activities, including community outreach, technical visits and workshops for the general public and neighbouring communities at various work stages to introduce project objectives and progresses. During the year, major works projects that involved public engagement activities included the Kai Tak River Improvement Works and Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. DSD also attended a number of large-scale community programmes and exhibitions where we designed activities with the purpose of recounting different aspects of DSD services.

Public Engagement Activities of DSD Projects

Kai Tai River Improvement Works

Prior to project commencement, DSD joined the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and Planning Department (PlanD) to launch “Building Our Kai Tak River”, a two-stage public engagement programme. Ever since the commencement of the project in 2011, we have maintained close communication with various stakeholders and provided project information to stakeholders and the public, so as to address their concerns and minimise the impacts of the construction project on residents as far as possible.

Community Activities and Publicity Efforts

To enhance the public's understanding of the project and strengthen their sense of belonging to Kai Tak River and the local community, DSD held the “Revitalisation of Kai Tak River – Community Planting Event” in April 2017 at Morse Park (Park No.1) adjoining the river to promote the spirit of “Building Our Kai Tak River”. The event was attended by pupils and teachers from S.K.H. Kei Tak Primary School, members of Wong Tai Sin District Council and the our Kai Tak River Improvement project team.

Apart from disseminating newsletters to enhance public understanding of the project, we especially arranged a visit to the Kai Tak River Improvement Works project site for members of Wong Tai Sin District Council to brief them on the works progress. In addition, as a participating organisation of Clap for Youth@JC, DSD arranged a visit to Kai Tak River for students from Shun Tak Fraternal Association Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School in March 2018. During the visit, DSD staff not only introduced the daily work of the Department and the Kai Tak River improvement works, but also shared their career planning and work experience with the young visitors.

Site Visits

In the past year, several site visits to Kai Tak River were arranged for groups of various organisations, including members of the Shenzhen Water Resources Bureau and participants of the Jockey Club Water Initiative on Sustainability and Engagement (JC-WISE) of Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, in order to give them an understanding of the project’s objectives, challenges and application of advanced technologies.

Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A

We organised various public engagement events throughout 2017-18 to promote the HATS Stage 2A Project to the public. Our key public engagement activities included:

• Distribution of newsletters to neighbourhood stakeholders half-yearly;
• Arrangement of visits to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (SCISTW) for various groups and organisations on project updates, including engineering and technology professional institutions, Construction Industry Council and the Environmental Protection Department as well as mainland officials;
  

  

  On 2 August 2017, the Beijing Water Authority delegation visited SCISTW to learn about construction technique

• Giving interviews to media including Sing Pao Daily News, Sing Tao Daily, Mingpao and Eastweek.
  

  On 21 November 2017, Mr. Kenley KWOK Chi-kuen, Senior Engineer, attended an interview by Eastweek on HATS Stage 2A

Community Activities and Exhibitions

DSD hosted and participated in various community activities and exhibitions during the year, as detailed below:

Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Fiesta 2017

On 11 June 2017, DSD took part in Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Fiesta 2017 at Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. The themes of “Relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to Caverns” and “Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works Improvement Project” were featured at DSD booth, introducing the sewage treatment facilities at the design stage.

With the use of virtual reality (VR) technology, DSD staff offered visitors a “Travel with Your Eyes” experience to explore the design of the Shatin Sewage Treatment Works and Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works under design. This VR tour not only gave participants a better idea of the design and operation of sewage treatment facilities, but also a first-hand experience of how our sewage treatment facilities could blend in with the community. Live performance by our band “The Revival” added joy and entertainment to the fiesta.

Science in the Public Service

As in previous years, DSD took part in the annual “Science in the Public Service” event to introduce the scientific work and application of technology by government bureaux/departments and other related organisations to the public. The 2017 event was held with the theme of “Application of STEM in Public Services”.

On 13 August 2017, Ms. Annie TANG Ka-yuet, DSD Engineer, joined Mr. Henry CHEUNG Kai-cheung, Senior Engineer of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and Mr. LEE Kwok-lun, Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory at the Tai O Flood Protection Forum held in the Hong Kong Science Museum to inform the public the causes of flooding in Tai O, as well as the challenges, considerations and solutions for designing and implementing flood prevention measures in Tai O. The three speakers even took the initiative to discuss with the public on how Hong Kong could better combat extreme weather.

InnoCarnival 2017

From 21 to 29 October 2017, DSD joined the InnoCarnival held in the Hong Kong Science Park and showcased two projects, namely the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme (HVUSSS) and Solar Farm at Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works. With the aid of a physical model and solar panel components, visitors learnt more about the innovative elements of the two projects and our vision of promoting blue-green infrastructure.

Eco-Expo Asia 2017

From 26 to 29 October 2017, DSD participated in the 12^th Eco Expo Asia held at AsiaWorld-Expo. With the theme of “DSD’s renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives and achievements”. Our exhibition booth featured display panels, video clips about the operation of the Solar Farm at Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works and real-time operating information of the Solar Farm, as well as PV panels commonly used in the Solar Farm and different parts of the world. Through the display panels, video clips and briefings by our staff, visitors could understand more about the application of renewable energy at DSD, including solar power and biogas produced in the sewage treatment process, as well as technologies for enhancing energy efficiency of our facilities.

DSD Open Day 2018

On 27 and 28 January 2018, we held DSD Open Day at the Shatin Sewage Treatment Works. Under the theme of “Clean Up Our Water, Prepare for the Rainy Day”, the Open Day featured our work in flood prevention, sewage treatment and climate change adaption and mitigation through various activities, including the newly initiated “Parent-child Discovery Journey”, guided tours, thematic exhibitions and game booths. We organised the “Blue-Green Ambassadors Training Programme” again this year, recruiting more than 200 students from 10 primary and secondary schools. The two-day event was well received by the public with a record number of more than 19,000 visitors.

Hong Kong Flower Show 2018

From 16 to 25 March 2018, we took part in the Hong Kong Flower Show 2018 held at Victoria Park and our exhibit “Energy Revives in Blossoms” was awarded the “Grand Award for Outstanding Exhibit (Landscape Display)”. The exhibit was designed with a serial of undulating petal features swirled from the central power-generating solar trees, mimicking stamens of the two huge blooming flowers, to tie in with this year’s theme “Joy in Bloom”. The displays publicised DSD’s commitment in the application of renewable energy at its facilities and deepened the public’s understanding of photovoltaic power generation.

HK SciFest 2018

To raise public awareness and interest in science and technology, a talk and visits were arranged by DSD between 17 March and 25 April to support “HK SciFest 2018” organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum.