The Government will organise a number of discussion forums on the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) project to solicit public views on the three screened-in proposals from various sectors of the community.
"At least eight discussion forums will be held shortly after the opening of the main exhibition in the middle of this month," a Government spokesman said today (December 7). The main exhibition will first be staged at the Special Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum, Tsim Sha Tsui from December 16, 2004 to January 31, 2005 and continue in the Exhibition Hall, Hong Kong City Hall between February 5 and March 28, 2005.
"The first discussion forum will be staged on December 20 this year. Depending on public demand, more discussion forums can be arranged."
During the forums, the proponents will make presentations on their respective proposals. They will be required to observe the ground rules and have regard to guidance notes which ensure a level playing field for all proponents; and that their presentations will give a true and fair view of their proposals submitted to the Government in June 2004. These ground rules and guidance notes have already been uploaded onto the WKCD project website (www.hplb.gov.hk/wkcd).
"We welcome members of the public to participate in the forums," the spokesman said. "We shall also extend invitations to district personalities, arts and cultural groups and relevant professional bodies."
"A moderator will be present at each forum as a neutral facilitator as well as to ensure that the discussion forums are conducted in an orderly and impartial manner. Participants will be able to express their views on the proposals while the proponents will be invited to respond afterwards," he added.
A designated telephone hotline 2152 8003, which will be manned during office hours, has been set up for members of the public wishing to attend these forums to make seat reservations. Booking should be made 24 hours ahead of the commencement of each forum at the latest and seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To complement the main exhibition, more than 10 small-scale regional exhibitions will also be staged in various venues to enhance public awareness of these proposals. The venues will include the Hong Kong City Hall (during the period when the main exhibition stages in the Hong Kong Science Museum), Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, district town halls, as well as several MTR and KCR stations.
"At the main exhibition, representatives of the proponents will be present to explain their proposals to the visitors. Specially-arranged guided tours with professional presentation will also be held regularly in order to enhance public's understanding of their proposals," the spokesman said.
"There will be two such guided tours at 11 am and 3 pm for Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, whereas one guided tour will be held at 3 pm from Monday to Friday," he added. "We shall post a schedule of these tours on the WKCD project website and at the exhibition venues."
The Government will distribute pamphlets and comment cards to members of the public visiting the main exhibition. The comment card will also be uploaded on the WKCD project website for the general public to access and respond. Details of the arrangements for the public consultation events will also be published on the website.
The public can also submit their views online: www.hplb.gov.hk/wkcd; by fax: 2186 7832; via e-mail: wkcd@cedd.gov.hk; or by post: Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau, 9/F Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong (Attn: WKCD Team). The views collected will be taken into account in the process of negotiation and selection of a preferred proposal for the WKCD project.
Attachment:
Schedule for the Discussion Forums
Venues for Regional Exhibitions
Ends/Tuesday, December 7, 2004
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