Both executive and legislative bodies should adopt an open attitude in listening to public views on the West Kowloon Cultural District Project, Chief Secretary Donald Tsang says, adding the Government does not want to see the project wither on the vine because of political controversy.

In a motion debate moved by Legislative Councillor Alan Leong this afternoon, Mr Tsang stressed that the single-development approach is the basis of the project and the provision of a canopy is a mandatory requirement set out in the invitation for proposals.

"We need to understand that scrapping the single-development approach or the canopy means overturning our previous decisions, as well as forcing the Government to abort the existing plan and terminate the public consultation that is being conducted," Mr Tsang said. 

"This is not a course of action the Government wishes to take."

He asked lawmakers not to jump to a conclusion at this stage as the public consultation on the issue is still underway.

"Over 50,000 Hong Kong people have visited the exhibition on the project and more than 7,000 opinion cards have been received. If we overturn all the work and do it all over again, how can we face the people who have already visited the exhibition and expressed their views?

"If the existing programme was overturned, it would take several years to do the planning again and the implementation date of the project would become uncertain."

Single development ensures facility integration

Mr Tsang said the Government has decided to adopt a single-development approach for the project because it would ensure that all the facilities in the area would be integrated while enhancing the project's management.

"Dividing the project into smaller packages and inviting tenders would first require the Government to draw up a master layout plan based on uncertain assumptions of what would be commercially viable," the chief secretary added.

Mr Tsang understood some people worry the development approach may allow the selected proponent to reap excessive profits from the project. He promised the Government will make sure the public interest will be fully protected.

Measures to protect public interest

The development parameters of the selected scheme, such as plot ratio and building height, will have to be approved by the Town Planning Board, Mr Tsang said, adding the Government is considering asking the proponent to set up a fund to support the operating expedition of the cultural facilities.

"We might also ask the proponent to share the profit with the Government. In this way, the Government will have money to support cultural development. We could also ask the proponent to pay a one-off land premium."

Mr Tsang promised the Government will take public interest into full consideration and look for the best proposal.

Canopy key feature of the project

Speaking on the canopy requirements, Mr Tsang said the canopy is a key feature of the design that won the open competition for a concept plan for the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District.

The canopy links up the various facilities in the development area, has many advantages and serves many useful purposes, the chief secretary noted.

Mr Tsang said the Government will disclose the details of the financial arrangement of the three screened-in proponents before entering into a provisional agreement with the proponent.

"Disclosing the arrangement at this stage will weaken the Government's bargaining power and undermine the public interest."

Gov't willing to extend consultation

Replying to lawmakers' suggestions of setting up a body to manage the cultural district, Mr Tsang said the planning has been supervised by the Town Planning Board and there is no need to form another organisation to do the same job.

Mr Tsang believed that a 15-week consultation period offers the public sufficient time to express their views.

However, if the public still wants more time when the consultation closes in March, the Government is willing to extend the exercise.