Advisory body promises to issue new consultation packs on Wan Chai's waterfront as soon as possible
The harbour advisory body yesterday withdrew a two-week-old information kit proposing reclamation of up to 25 hectares at Wan Chai. Instead, a new information booklet will be published to aid discussion, the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee's subcommittee on Wan Chai development said after a meeting last night.
'As the three illustrations contained in the kit had given rise to confusion ... the subcommittee decided it will issue another kit as soon as possible ... to facilitate public engagement,' it said.
Some members of the committee wanted to express regret for the confusion created by the initial release, but deputy lands minister Thomas Tso Man-tai yesterday blamed the media for the confusion and refused to apologise, saying the government should not give the media an unfavourable news story for tomorrow.
The government published the information kit two weeks ago in the name of the subcommittee without telling its members. It's release provoked a new public outcry against reclamation because it outlined three concepts that would reclaim up to 25 hectares.
Some committee members also complained they had not been consulted over the options. Two days after the release, the subcommittee held a press briefing to clarify its position and asked the public to ignore the government options.
Members of the subcommittee discussed the draft of the new information kit yesterday.