One of the biggest challenges in the West Kowloon Cultural District project is garnering the enthusiastic response from the community - positive or otherwise - and driving the diverse views towards a basic consensus that is acceptable to the community.

The process of public consultation is extremely important. This process, begun some years ago, has reached a critical point where a multi-pronged approach will ensure that not just some, but all interested voices are heard.

To recap a bit, the concept of this major project came initially from the former Hong Kong Tourist Association in 1996, and in 1998, the Chief Executive announced the intention to develop a major centre for arts and culture for Hong Kong.

In 1999, the Planning Department's study, 'Cultural Facilities: A Study on their Requirements and the Formulation of New Planning Standards and Guidelines', suggested the West Kowloon reclamation be developed into a cultural district.

The HKTA's 'Feasibility Study on a New Performance Venue for Hong Kong' of the same year pointed out that there was a need to provide Hong Kong with a semi-covered multi-purpose venue with seating capacity of 6,000 to 8,000.

Study found WKCD development would satisfy local demand

In 2002, the 'Consultancy Study on the Provision of Regional/District Cultural & Performance Facilities in Hong Kong' by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department found that the WKCD development would help satisfy the local demand for cultural facilities. And a series of discussion sessions with cultural sector representatives were held last year.

But this is clearly not enough, as recent media reports have suggested.

We now have three short-listed proposals. Each has met the mandatory requirements laid down in the invitation for proposals. But to ensure that the public at large has the opportunity to scrutinise the proposals and to comment on the developers' plans, a comprehensive public consultation exercise is about to begin.

In advance of the exhibition of the proposals starting on December 16 in the Science Museum, we have already started an engagement process to closely listen to views of all the interested parties in the cultural sector and professional groups.

More information needed before public can give full support

It is encouraging that despite the often harsh criticism levied at the basic model of the project, everyone I have spoken to wants to make the West Kowloon Cultural District a reality. But they also feel that they need sufficient information about the project before they can give it full support.

We have therefore invited the screened-in proponents to present their exhibits, including scale models, display panels and fact sheets for distribution to the public. They will also present their individual proposals at discussion forums and briefing sessions.

Proponents have signed a 'Certification, Undertaking & Indemnity' document to ensure a level playing field for all proponents participating in the public consultation as well as presentation of a true and fair view of their proposals as submitted in June 2004.

We have also drawn up ground rules for the proponents to observe at the public consultation events including the exhibitions and discussion forums.

Three-month-plus exhibitions to open to public

The main exhibition will be open to the public on December 16 and end on March 28, covering a total period of more than three months.

 It will first be staged at the Special Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum until January 31; and then the Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong City Hall from February 5 to March 28. We will not rule out an extension of the consultation period if there is a clear demand.

To complement the main exhibition, a number of smaller exhibitions will also be staged in various districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon and the New Territories, allowing more people to understand the proposals.

Comment cards will be distributed to members of the public visiting the exhibition and attending the discussion forums. The public can also submit their views by letter, fax or e-mail. For details, please go to www.hplb.gov.hk/wkcd.

After the conclusion of the consultation period, we will make public the views collected, and present them to Legislative Council members. These views will be taken into account in the negotiations with proponents and selection of a preferred proposal.

Various sectors of the community to be canvassed

In addition to bringing people to the exhibition, the Home Affairs Bureau and the Housing, Planning & Lands Bureau will organise a number of discussion forums to solicit views on the screened-in proposals from various sectors of the community, including representatives of the local community, arts and cultural groups and professional bodies.

These forums will be open to the media. Depending on public demand, more discussion forums could be arranged if the consultation period is further extended.

From January to March, the Secretary for Home Affairs will lead our team to visit the 18 districts and brief all the District Councils on the project.

We do hope this multi-pronged approach to public consultation will reassure the community that their voices will be heard, and will help rebuild trust among all our cultural and community partners that public interest remains our Number One aim in creating the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Let us work together to make it happen.

This article by Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Shelley Lee was published in the South China Morning Post on December 9.