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Working Partners Engagement
Working Partners Engagement
The DSD is dedicated to establishing good and close partnerships with our working partners. Advocating mutual trust and cooperation with consultants and contractors, we proactively promote the New Engineering Contract (NEC) model. While actively driving project progress, we also place strong emphasis on exchanges and cooperation with partners regarding occupational health and safety.
Launch of New Engineering Contracts
The NEC model has boosted participation from consultants and contractors significantly. Compared with the traditional engineering contract, the NEC model emphasises joint management and risk-sharing. This new collaborative practice encourages the DSD to establish amicable working relationships with working partners, while minimising the risk of project delay and improving productivity. The awarded NECs cover civil engineering projects, electrical and mechanical engineering projects, maintenance works and consultancy services.
Among the 18 completed NECs, the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme yielded a very encouraging result—it was completed 14 months ahead of the schedule, saving around $110 million of the total project cost.
Recognitions in Promoting the NEC
The DSD was awarded the UK's NEC Awards - Client of the Year 2019, which is another notch on the belt following the receipt of the same award in 2016. In addition, marking the 10th anniversary of the NEC in Hong Kong, two DSD projects - Improvement of Fuk Man Road Nullah in Sai Kung and Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme - were featured in the 10th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet which was distributed at the NEC Asia-Pacific Users' Group Annual Conference.
The DSD has been repeatedly recognised for the efforts in promoting the New Engineering Contract
Comments from Consultant
Being the consultant of various DSD projects, we have a close partnership with the department. The DSD provides adequate support as a coordinator and maintains close communication with consultants and contractors to facilitate smooth implementation of projects. Clearly, they have made major efforts to maintain good relationships with all partners, and the NEC model is instrumental in building mutual trust and creating a competitive environment for the industry.
In addition to maintaining long-term partnerships, we appreciate the DSD's attitude to innovation and willingness to experiment. Taking the Relocation of Sha Tin STW to Caverns as an example, the DSD moved the facilities to caverns in an innovative way, which not only utilises land resources and improves the public's livelihood, but also enhances the quality of life. We hope the DSD can continue to adopt a similar approach and work with other government departments, especially in the construction or relocation of undesirable facilities so that valuable land resources can be used effectively.
As a works consultant, we understand smooth project operation requires both efficient cooperation and community support. Therefore, we are pleased to assist the DSD in organising more public engagement and educational activities in the future to enhance public awareness and acceptance of projects. These initiatives will also help the public understand the DSD's work.
Dr Simon TSANG
Associate Director
Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited
Our Response
The DSD appreciates our partners' efforts and support, as well as their valuable comments on the NEC and other related issues. In the future, we will continue to maintain good communication with our consultants and contractors. Remaining project-focused, we will also explore more innovative ways to provide quality services to the public. To enhance public understanding of our projects, we will continue to organise various community engagement activities regularly and collect public opinion on building a sustainable city.
Partnering Workshop
Staying true to the trusting and cooperative team spirit of the NEC model, the Project Team for Shek Wu Hui Effluent Polishing Plant - Main Works Phase 1 hosted a partnering workshop on 2 December 2019. Managerial personnel and frontline staff from the DSD, the project consultant and the main contractors participated in the workshop to understand the importance of leveraging each other's strengths, pursuing innovation and balancing the views of all parties to ensure project success. During the workshop, participants exchanged views on challenges encountered during construction. Common goals were set to reduce project disruption, facilitate exchange of information and better coordination, fast-track project progress and better quality control, as well as enhancing site management efficiency. By dint of the partnering approach of the NEC, the Project Team will overcome engineering challenges collaboratively.
Group photo of Partnering Workshop participants
Participants setting common objectives at the Workshop
Promoting Occupational Safety and Health
To promote occupational safety and health among the DSD staff and project partners, we rolled out a number of site safety improvement measures and activities, including experience sharing sessions, site visits and the Construction Sites Safety and Housekeeping Award Scheme.
Experience Sharing Sessions and Site Visits
In June 2019, a visit to the Occupational Safety and Health Academy of Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) at Tsing Yi was arranged for about 20 DSD colleagues. In September 2019, we organised an electrical safety course delivered by a safety specialist from the OSHC for more than 20 colleagues from different divisions of the DSD. Case studies on recent electrical accidents were also shared at the session.
Our colleagues visiting Occupational Safety and Health Academy at Tsing Yi
Construction Sites Safety and Housekeeping Award Scheme 2019
Safety and management of construction sites are among the DSD's top priorities. We have been hosting the annual “Construction Sites Housekeeping Award Scheme” since 2004 with the aim of instilling a culture of good site management and team spirit among the DSD's in-house site supervisory staff, contractors and consultants. In 2018, the Scheme was renamed “Construction Sites Safety and Housekeeping Award Scheme”, recognising teams with outstanding site management performance. Among the 34 contract teams participating in the 2019 Scheme, 12 of them received either “The Best Construction Sites Safety and Housekeeping Award” or the “Meritorious Award”.