Development Chief Defends Fanling 'balancing' Act

The Development Secretary, Michael Wong, on Saturday defended the government's decision to limit development to just part of the Fanling Golf Course, describing it as a "balancing act".

Under the government's plan, only 32 hectares of the 172-hectare venue will be primarily turned into public housing, allowing the rest to continue to operate as a golf course.

He said the 32 hectares would enable the government to increase the supply of mainly public housing in the short term.

"We all know about the housing shortage faced by Hong Kong," Wong said.

Speaking after taking part in an RTHK programme, he said that building homes on the remaining 140 hectares of land would be a long-term plan, because it would require adding transport infrastructure.

Wong also praised the private club's contributions to sports development over the years.

The government's decision to develop part of the Fanling Golf Course has been attacked from various quarters, with golf fans decrying the plan to sacrifice a world-class sporting venue, while others say the entire course should be used to ease the housing shortage.

Wong said the government ought to safeguard the public interest.

But he noted that it was impossible to keep everyone happy because the government's decision would always be in the middle of the political spectrum.