Speaking to a reporter before leaving Hong Kong for Guiyang City on Sept 8, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said he would continue to visit different districts frequently, to exchange views with people about the government's work, and listen to issues people are concerned with. Given the opinions put forward by citizens in Leung's previous two visits to Tin Shui Wai and Kwun Tong, it is predictable that most concerns are about housing issues. Some suggested that government should consider closing down some private clubs and use the space for building houses instead. This naturally reminds us of the heated controversy over the golf driving ranges in Fanling.

Before the Legislative Council (LegCo) summer recess, an unbinding motion was passed to urge the government to incorporate a piece of Fanling land occupied by a golf course and the CE's Fanling lodge into the North East New Territories (NENT) development plan. The government said they were aware of the potential of such space and would conduct research on the development potential of the golf course and its surrounding ranges. As Leung said, "We need to carry out preparation and planning works first, before we can put a piece of land to good use." The authorities will consider this in the development plan.

At 170 acres (69 hectares), Fanling golf course is much smaller - actually, only half the size - of comparable developable land in Kwun Tung North and Fanling North. Therefore, replacing the NENT plan with only a golf course seems somewhat unrealistic. Furthermore, Hong Kong is an international city with a mass of golf fans - many local, domestic and foreign entrepreneurs enjoy discussing business while leisurely playing golf with each other. So there is absolutely no need to close it down.

We do, however, have alternative golf courses in the city, such as those at Shum Wan and Shek O on Hong Kong Island, Discovery Bay on Lantau, and etc. Moreover, with Guangdong province so close, many Hong Kong people would love to play golf with a short-distance leisure trip to Shenzhen, Guangzhou or Zhongshan. Increasingly convenient transport enables golf lovers to have many more options on the mainland, and in fact, they are able to provide a much larger area for a better golf experience, as these cities are not so limited by land as Hong Kong is.

As to whether or not Fanling golf course should be closed down, opinion is divided. I suggest the government should consider this issue from the angle of balancing the distribution of public resources. That is to say, a compromise should be struck to meet the requirements of both sides - splitting up the golf course into two areas, with one for golf use and the other for houses.

This is not a groundless proposition. There are currently three 18-hole standard courses in the discussed range, and the distance in between is at least 6,000 meters. Each one accounts for more than 60 acres - larger than the area of three Victoria Parks combined. The government should consult the golf club, to see if they are willing to cut one standard course in re-planning, so that one-third of the land could be returned to the government in advance. If this piece of land is used for building houses, the total area will be no less than LOHAS Park in Tseung Kwan O.

Having been appointed as a member of the Town Planning Board on three occasions, I fully understand the complicated procedure of developing land. When it involves resident compensation and rehousing arrangements, the problem can be much trickier and more time-consuming. The resumption of part of the golf course saves more time and avoids the complexity of other areas in NENT, so if the area in question is resumed by the government in a relatively short time, the housing shortage pressure could be, to some degree, relieved.

The author is the vice-president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.

(HK Edition 09/14/2013 page7)