In response to the new development parameters and conditions of the West Kowloon Cultural District project, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) has submitted a response paper summarising the views and recommendations of the local arts and cultural sector.

The new development parameters including the mandatory plot ratio, the establishment of a 30 billion trust fund and an independent statutory body to take over the WKCD project were introduced by the Government in October 2005.

After rounds of discussion, the ADC concluded that the Government should consider the following recommendations: -

1. In view of the new development parameters including development intensity, government should encourage the proponents to develop different types of "Other Arts and Cultural Facilities" to meet the needs of the local arts and cultural sector.
2. Given the professional advice and needs of the arts and cultural sector, government should fully utilise the trust fund to promote the broad development of arts and culture in Hong Kong.
3. More resources should be put on the management and operation of both "Core" and "Other" arts and cultural facilities.
4. Priority should be given to the establishment of an independent statutory body to implement the WKCD project.
5. Government should take a lead in software development to meet the needs of the WKCD project.

To collect views from the arts and cultural sector, the ADC conducted a questionnaire in December 2005. 2,400 copies were sent out and the response rate is around 5%. It finds out that the majority concerns about the composition and functions of the statutory body. Eighty one per cent of the respondents support the idea of establishing a 30 billion trust fund for the operation of the project, while there are 75% respondents suggest allocating 50% or more of the trust fund to the future operation and management of the arts and cultural facilities.

Full version of the response paper and findings of the questionnaire are now available at the ADC's website www.hkadc.org.hk.

As a sole statutory body to promote the arts development in Hong Kong, the ADC will continue to collect and reflect the views and concerns of the arts and cultural sector to the government so as to facilitate the implementation of the WKCD project.