Project review: Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui says a consultative committee will be formed to look into the cultural, tourism, and financial needs of the West Kowloon Cultural District project.

Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui says the Government will axe its invitation for proposals on the West Kowloon Cultural District project.

It will now review the project and a consultative committee will be formed to look into the cultural, tourism, and financial needs of the district.

The move is because the three screened-in proponents failed to give a positive response to the new development parameters and conditions proposed in October.

Mr Hui told legislators today the Government cannot proceed with the invitation process until the three screened-in proponents agree to modify their proposals.

Project review

Mr Hui will chair the consultative committee, formed by members from the art, culture and tourism sectors, appointed by the Chief Executive.

Three advisory groups will be set up to study:

* performing venue size and tourist needs;

* themes and size of the four proposed museums; and,

* financial arrangement for the district's core arts and cultural facilities.

September report

The committee will submit its findings in September with recommendations helping the Government formulate a new development policy for the project.

The Government prefers to adopt a public-private partnership approach to ensure the project is sufficiently funded to operate on a self-financing and sustainable basis.

It also agrees that an independent statutory body be formed to develop the project. However, details of it can only be decided pending recommendations from the advisory committee.

No delays

Mr Hui said the Government is not starting the project afresh, adding there will be no delay in the launch of the project.

"Only the [invitation for proposals] process cannot be continued. Terminating this process gives the Government a greater degree of flexibility and scope to determine the district's core facilities. We can also have a wider choice of financing options. Therefore, you may find that the entire timetable for the project will be shorter than the orignial process."

Mr Hui said the Government will prepare to set up a statutory body to take over from the Government in developing the project after the committee finishes its work by September.