Government to launch 15-week public consultation on WKCD

The Government would launch a 15-week public consultation for the screened-in proposals for the development of West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), starting from mid-December until the end of March next year, a government spokesman announced today (November 20).

The public consultation exercise will include exhibitions displaying the screened-in proposals, discussion forums and briefing sessions for the Legislative Council and relevant statutory and advisory bodies.

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 exhibition period was extended after the Government carefully considered the views expressed by the public recently," the spokesman said.

"We are pleased to learn that all three screened-in proponents have indicated support for a longer exhibition period."

The exhibition will show details of the screened-in proposals, including technical aspects; operation, management and maintenance aspects of the core arts and cultural facilities and other key development features of the project.

Both venues will be open from 10am to 8pm daily, including Sundays and public holidays, during the two exhibition periods. Admission is free.

"To encourage people to express their views on the proposals, comment cards will be distributed to people visiting the exhibition," the spokesman said.

The contents of all exhibits and the comment card will be uploaded onto the WKCD project website (www.hplb.gov.hk/wkcd) for the general public to access and respond.

Meanwhile, a summary of the screened-in proposals will be exhibited at places where people converge, including some venues under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Apart from the exhibitions, the Government will be inviting professional bodies, arts and cultural groups, and community organisations to take part in WKCD discussion forums, which will be held during the public consultation period to gauge their views on the proposals.

"People are invited to send in their views before the consultation ends on March 31, 2005. Apart from filling in the comment cards at the exhibition venue, members of the public can also submit their views by letter, fax and email.

"Views collected will be made public after the consultation period. Public views will be taken into account in the process of negotiation and selection of a preferred proposal," the spokesman stressed.

Ends/Saturday, November 20, 2004

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