HCM City temporarily stops licencing golf courses

The HCM City People’s Committee’s decision to temporarily stop licencing golf course projects will take effect from now till related agencies submit reports and suggestions about golf course planning.

The city’s authorities have told related agencies to re-evaluate the effectiveness of operational golf courses and projects underway in the city. Projects that are detected with violations may have licences revoked.

Specifically, the city will inspect the construction pace, how project developers obey environmental rules, consider the impacts of projects on the environment, etc. Projects that are being implemented slowly may be halted.

According to the local Department of Planning and Investment, HCM City has six golf course projects totalling 1,262ha, including one project in District 2, Tan Binh, Binh Chanh, Chu Chi districts, two in District 2. In addition, two other projects are being submitted to local authorities for consideration.

Among the above golf courses, only one, the one belonging to the Hoa – Viet Joint Venture Company in District 9, has been put into operation. Yet, competent agencies haven’t evaluated its impacts on the environment and local residents yet.

The HCM City government instructed the Department of Planning and Investment to combine with the Departments of Natural Resources and the Environment, Construction, Planning and Architecture, Labour – War Invalids – Social Affairs, and the Taxation Agency to check the operations of golf course projects to evaluate economic and social effects of these projects.

These agencies were also requested to research and suggest criteria for licencing golf course projects and mechanisms to manage golf courses to ensure their effectiveness and especially monitor environmental protection.

These above agencies must send reports to the HCM City People’s Committee prior to September 15.

In May 2008, HCM City reported its plan to check golf course projects in the city to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The two first projects under inspection are Rach Chiec and Sing-Viet.

VNN

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