Hong Kong should play the game on land needed to ease housing crisis
- Decision by previous government to spare green belts from development, but build on part of a golf course used by elites, may be reconsidered
Hong Kong has apparently returned to a so-called big debate on different ways to enhance land supply for housing. From sparing the green belts to building on a golf course, it seems options long settled by the last administration are being revived for reassessment.
Unless the current government demonstrates there are overriding reasons to undo previous decisions, it may give the public the impression that it is dragging its feet and yielding to sectoral interests despite a deepening housing crisis.
The call to scrap a housing project on an exclusive golf course in Fanling is not new. But unlike a recent discussion on green belts, which was initiated by officials, it came from a top cabinet member after renewed lobbying behind the scenes against the development.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said she had yet to convey her views to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, and a government spokesman said statutory procedures relating to an environmental impact assessment and town planning still needed to be completed. Whether the proposed housing goes ahead will be closely watched.
Both the green belts and golf course were among options subject to public consultation during the time of then leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. She had accepted task force recommendations to spare green belts from development, but to turn part of the golf course into public housing.
Some 12,000 flats may be built on the 32-hectare site for 33,600 people, accounting for one-third of the annual target, according to the government proposal.
The project is no doubt controversial, not only because it pits the housing needs of the poor against the interests of the city’s rich and famous but also, as with other difficult choices, it was made with public good in mind. The city spent years weighing the pros and cons of all options before setting out the priorities.
A long-awaited environmental impact study is now ready for further discussion.
Given the severe shortage of land, a U-turn at this stage would send the wrong message about the commitment of the new government to tackling the housing crisis. The public is entitled to ask why officials are seemingly doubting a decision by the previous administration and pushing for development on the fringes of country parks, while sparing an exclusive golf course for the elites.
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The Lam administration, to its credit, had made some tough choices. It is now time to stand up and deliver, while also continuing to explore more potential options.
The debate over the green belts and golf course will put the new team to the test. Lee prides himself as a “result-oriented” leader.
He is expected to strengthen that approach and demonstrate greater commitment to solving the housing problem.
