The government has rejected the idea of turning its harbour advisory committee into a statutory body - sparking criticism that it is throwing out the notion before it has even been formally discussed.
A Development Bureau spokeswoman said yesterday that a harbour authority would involve complicated issues and 'we do not see sufficient merit in the proposal at this stage'.
She was responding to suggestions from members of the newly reappointed Harbourfront Enhancement Committee that it could eventually become a statutory body to manage the area.
Members plan to discuss the idea when the committee resumes meeting next month.
The spokeswoman's response echoed government reaction when the idea was floated by harbour activists.
Committee member Nicholas Brooke said the government had reached the conclusion far too early.
'Clearly it is under the committee's terms of reference to discuss the issue; the government is pre-empting the situation,' he said, adding it should be the committee that came up with recommendations for the government.