Govt Rules Out Future Takeover Of Whole Golf Site

"); jQuery("#212 h3").html("

Related News Programmes

"); jQuery(document).ready(function() { jwplayer.key='EKOtdBrvhiKxeOU807UIF56TaHWapYjKnFiG7ipl3gw='; var playerInstance = jwplayer("jquery_jwplayer_1"); playerInstance.setup({ file: "https://newsstatic.rthk.hk/audios/mfile_1443886_1_20190220184037.mp3", skin: { url: location.href.split('/', 4).join('/') + '/jwplayer/skin/rthk/five.css', name: 'five' }, hlshtml: true, width: "100%", height: 30, wmode: 'transparent', primary: navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident")>-1 ? "flash" : "html5", events: { onPlay: function(event) { dcsMultiTrack('DCS.dcsuri', 'https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1443886-20190220.mp3', 'WT.ti', ' Audio at newsfeed', 'WT.cg_n', '#rthknews', 'WT.cg_s', 'Multimedia','WT.es','https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1443886-20190220.htm', 'DCS.dcsqry', '' ); } } }); }); });

2019-02-20 HKT 18:40

Share this story

facebook

  • Govt rules out future takeover of whole golf site

  • Development Secretary Michael Wong (2nd left) says the construction of flats on part of the Fanling Golf Course could begin in 2024. Photo: RTHK

    Development Secretary Michael Wong (2nd left) says the construction of flats on part of the Fanling Golf Course could begin in 2024. Photo: RTHK

The government confirmed on Wednesday that it has accepted eight recommendations put forward by a task force on finding new land for housing, including using 32 hectares of the Fanling Golf Course.

But it has no plans to consider taking back the whole golf site, despite the Task Force on Land Supply calling for a study into how the remaining 140 hectares could be utilised.

Almost two months after the task force submitted its report, Development Secretary Michael Wong held a media briefing to deliver the government's response.

He said officials will start a technical study in the second half of this year to assess how many flats could be built on the 32 hectares at Fanling. Construction could begin in 2024, he said.

The Hong Kong Golf Club's lease of the site will expire next year and Wong said it will be renewed until June 2027, save for the part earmarked for housing. For this plot, a hold-over lease will be arranged and the government will take the land back in 2023.

"The decision of the CE-in-Council reflects the very careful balance of the needs of the community in the short to medium term of more housing, in particular public housing, and also the contributions of Fanling Golf Course to golf development in Hong Kong," Wong said.

Another of the task force's recommendations that has proved to be controversial is for land to be reclaimed east of Lantau. After a public consultation exercise, the task force said there was widespread support for a 1,000-hectare island to be created.

Wong said the government will carry out a detailed study on this proposal, but at the same time as it pursues Chief Executive Carrie Lam's "Lantau Tomorrow Vision" for 1,700-hectares of reclamation in the same area.

"That's the vision, that hasn't changed yet," Wong said. "We will focus our efforts on the 1,000 hectares of land to be reclaimed around Kau Yi Chau. With regards to the 700 hectares of land around Hei Ling Chau, at the moment's there's no timetable."

Wong said the government will also take up other options the task force has suggested, including developing brownfield sites and private farmland.

It will drop the idea of developing the fringes of country parks, after the move was not put forward by the task force.

RECENT NEWS

SUNMI Technology Is Officially Listed On The Main Board Of HKEX

SUNMI Technology Group Co., Ltd, a Business IoT (BIoT) leader, was officially listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong... Read more

Can AI-Native Infrastructure Finally Eliminate The Friction Within Cross-Border Payments?

What is stopping businesses from fully tapping a US$336 billion cross-border payments opportunity? Ask the merchants tr... Read more

HKMA Cargox Pilot Brings 21 Banks To Boost SME Trade Finance Via Data Sharing

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched the HKMA Cargox pilot programme, partnering with 21 banks to digit... Read more

Krakens Parent Acquires Reap In US$600M Deal To Expand Stablecoin Payments In Asia

Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, is acquiring Hong Kong-based payments infrastructure fir... Read more

XTransfer Files For Hong Kong IPO, Seeking US$186 Million

Chinese B2B cross-border payments company XTransfer has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong to raise US$186 million. The comp... Read more

HSBC Rolls Out Privé World Legend Mastercard To Hong Kong Clients

HSBC Hong Kong has launched the HSBC Privé World Legend Mastercard, becoming the first bank in the Asia Pacific region... Read more