WKCD consultation events to facilitate public understanding of cultural project

Members of the public will be able to have a reasonable understanding and an informed discussion on the screened-in proposals for the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) project at the public consultation events to be launched in mid-December.

The Government has drawn up Ground Rules and Guidance Notes to ensure a level playing field for all three proponents for the main exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum (December 16, 2004 to January 31, 2005) and Hong Kong City Hall (February 5 to March 28, 2005), the regional exhibitions at a number of venues as well as at least eight discussion forums, to be organised by the Government.

Proponents are required to comply with the Ground Rules to give a true and fair view of their proposals submitted on June 19, 2004.

The three screened-in proponents have signed acknowledgement of compliance with the Ground Rules and to have regard to the Guidance Notes in preparing for and carrying out activities organised by the Government during the WKCD public consultation.

They are invited to prepare exhibits to cover 27 themes during the main exhibition, disclosing comprehensively their proposals in terms of both hardware and software, including the layout plans, conceptual designs for various arts and cultural facilities and their mode of governance, operation/maintenance/management of commercial, residential and other facilities, as well as environmental studies and traffic management.

Besides these display panels, the proponents will also have to provide one block and three physical models for the development as exhibits; a video in English, Cantonese and Putonghua; as well as information pamphlets containing information such as the proponent's profile; general development parameters including plot ratio, gross floor areas with breakdown for various uses, open space and waterfront promenade; provisions, operation and management of arts and cultural facilities, maintenance and cleaning of canopy; development programme; and a list of major consultants and operators.

The contents of the exhibits should conform to the Guidance Notes as far as practicable and should be in line with the proposals submitted to the Government on June 19, 2004. Where a proponent's exhibits do not conform to any provisions of the Guidance Note, the proponent must set out in its display panels details of all such non-conformity.

The Government can also disallow or discontinue the display of any or all exhibits of a proponent which the Government finds to be not giving a true and fair view of its proposal, may likely mislead the public, or which fails to comply with the Ground Rules.

Both the Ground Rules and Guidance Notes are now available to the public on the WKCD project website (www.hplb.gov.hk/wkcd) for information. The proponents' exhibits will also be uploaded to the website when the public consultation commences next month.

These are further to the Certification, Undertaking and Indemnity, signed by the CEOs of the proponents, uploaded to the project website on November 12 this year.

As to the discussion forums, the Government has started engaging relevant stakeholder groups and arrangements are being made for them to take part in the forums to share their views on the proposals.

Ends/Tuesday, November 23, 2004

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