Date 26 February 2006
From day one HKSDF has fervently opposed the Government's proposed procurement strategy for the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), in particular the single developer model.1
In addition to our efforts, HKSDF has also been an active supporter of other Hong Kong NGO's to change this egregious procurement model, and push for conformance with sustainability principals first promised by Government in the CE's 1999 policy address.2
Finally community efforts have been rewarded. After a lengthy struggle, during which the Government has attempted to placate its numerous critics with minor revisions to the scheme, Chief Secretary Mr Rafael Hui announced the u-turn (reported in the Standard on 22 February 2006). In brief, the project as it stands will be scrapped.3
HKSDF believes that the government has made the right decision to revisit this proposal and recommends that Government more thoroughly considers the views of the community before steam rolling proposals through to procurement stage, and then conducting rear guard consultations.
You can be assured that HKSDF will continue to lobby government and officials to ensure that any further proposals will incorporate SD principals from the outset.
John Herbert - Chair