We strive to maintain close and effective communication with all strata of society to ensure transparency and better understanding of our work and services.
Overview
We believe strengthening ties with the concern groups and various sectors of our community to assure public awareness of our work in flood prevention and sewage treatment. In order to achieve this goal, we arranged extensive range of activities in 2011-12. They included a carnival, an open day, an outreach educational programme for schools, and a forum with the academics, as well as guided tours and briefings for the media, the District Councillors, the green groups and the professional bodies.
1. Hong Kong Flower Show 2012
2. Open Day 2012
3. Innovation Carnival 2011
Programme of Public Relations Activities in 2011-12
Connecting with the General Public
Together with seven government departments, DSD participated in the Innovation Carnival held at the Science Park in November 2011. We presented our Water Reclamation Pilot Scheme and drew keen interest from the visiting public.
In March 2012, we organised a two-day Open Day at the Shatin Sewage Treatment Works (STW), attracting about 13000 visitors. Guided tours were arranged for visiting members from 18 District Councils and professional bodies. They toured our plant facilities and acquired firsthand information on flood prevention and sewage treatment.
That same month, our floral display, titled 'Reborn — Flowers in Bloom', was awarded the Gold Award for Unique Feature in the Hong Kong Flower Show 2012, staged by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in Victoria Park. It was our maiden participation and we introduced the use of reclaimed water to the general public alongside our beautiful horticulture display.
4. Annual Media Briefing 2012
5. 30th Anniversary of Shenzhen River Regulation Project Ceremony
6. Kai Tak River Improvement Works Commencement Ceremony
Connecting with the Media
Through briefings, interviews, visits and luncheons, we keep the media updated on our projects. In March 2012, our senior management updated the media on the latest flood prevention measures and the related works over a luncheon, during which views from both sides were exchanged. Subsequent to the luncheon was a site visit to the Tai Hang Tung Stormwater Storage Tank, and our media friends were briefed on the flood preventive works in the urban area.
That same month, different media covered also the 30th anniversary of our Shenzhen River Regulation Project. The ceremony was held not only to mark the completion of Stage I, II and III of this project but also to celebrate the close and harmonious co-operation between the Hong Kong and Shenzhen working parties. At the ceremony, we briefed the media on the project's upcoming Stage IV, its design concept and ecological aspect. The same month saw the staging of another ceremony to mark the commencement of our Kai Tak River Improvement Works with strong media attendance. Reporters were briefed on the scope of the Kai Tak River improvement project which comprises increased drainage capacity and landscape beautification, greening initiatives and leisure space upgrade.
7. Media visit to Tung Chung Sewage Pumping Station
8. Media visit to the construction sites of Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan STWs
Other media gatherings over the year included a visit to the Tung Chung Sewage Pumping Station in December 2011, a visit to the construction site of Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan STWs on Lamma Island in January 2012. Reporters learned about our superoxygenation system in the former visit and membrane bioreactor technology, horizontal directional drilling technology and also miniature helicopter device in the latter.
As in the previous years, media interviews with our Department were arranged regularly to keep the public updated on the Department's work. The interviews and the subsequent news reports covered a wide range of topics, from ecological and greening measures, combined heat and power plants to the feasibility study of the relocation of the Shatin STW to caverns.
9. Research & Development Forum 2011
10. The Hong Kong Institute of Engineers visiting Tai Hang Tung Stormwater Storage Tank
11. Green Groups Forum 2011
Connecting with District Councillors
To ensure we maintain close ties with the local community and that public views are heard, we have always attended District Council meetings over the years. In 2011-12, our Director and the relevant colleagues were present at the different District Council meetings, including that of the Outlying Islands, North District, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Yau Tsim Mong and Eastern District, to brief members on our work and major projects in their districts and to solicit their opinions.
In January and February 2012, we arranged for District Councillors of Kwai Tsing, Sai Kung, North District, Sham Shui Po, Outlying Islands, Yau Tsim Mong and Wong Tai Sin to tour our Tai Hang Tung Stormwater Storage Tank and briefed them on the facility's operation.
Connecting with the Concern Groups
Expert views and opinions are valued. In hosting the DSD Research & Development Forum 2011 on 'Hydrology and Hydraulics' and 'Wastewater Treatment' in November 2011, we listened and recorded the research findings on the two topics from local universities. Their findings would be studied for suitable application to our projects and facilities. To strengthen communication with the industry and professional bodies, we arranged guided tours to the Tai Hang Tung Stormwater Storage Tank and the project site of Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2A.
Opinions from the general public and the interest groups matter a lot too. In November 2011, we invited representatives from the green groups to a site visit to our river training project and briefed them on the aspects of engineering features relating to river channels' ecological enhancement. How we intended to preserve the local species and how we targeted to enhance the green elements of our facilities were presented. Representatives from Green Power, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden, The Conservancy Association, and WWF Hong Kong, gave their views and advice on the occasion. These will be studied and applied to our future projects.
12. Connecting with our International Counterparts
13. Connecting with Schools
Connecting with Our International Counterparts
In 2011-12, we received members from the Ninth Ministers' Forum on Infrastructure Development in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as delegations from Singapore and Mainland China. In-depth exchanges on sewage treatment and flood prevention strategies were made with these visiting parties.
Connecting with Schools
Schoolchildren are the future leaders of our society. In the year, we visited 17 schools to talk about our flood prevention and sewage treatment services. We also received 109 organisations and arranged for them to tour our sewage treatment works and the information centres.