Legislation to reform Town Planning, Land tenancy, and subdivision of land are being reviewed with intent to modernise it.

Speaking in the Parliament, yesterday, Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment Lorna Eden there are laws which are being reviewed, one of which has not had a review for about 80 years.                                           

The Ministry is close to completing the review of Town Planning Laws as follows;

ν Town Planning Act (Cap.139) which was introduced in 1946, over 70 years ago

ν The Subdivision of Land Act (Cap.140), which came into existence in 1937, 80 years ago.   

Ms Eden told Parliament that the ministry undertook public consultation and awareness raising on the review.

“In looking at the statistics on participation and attendance in these community awareness and consultation sessions throughout Fiji. Our ministry noted the minimal engagement and voice from the iTaukei sector.

“To address this, our ministry has been liaising with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs this year and will continue consultations into the next 3 months. Our ministry knows and acknowledges that over 90 per cent of our land is owned by iTaukei and we do not want the iTaukei to miss out; it is important to share this knowledge and information with all iTaukei communities. This exercise of reviewing the town planning laws is aimed to be both inclusive and integrated,” she said.

The two laws are influential in shaping investment and the economy and they influence the decision making process on land, investment, and the building environment in Fiji.

“It is about setting strategic direction for sustainable growth in both the urban and rural areas in Fiji,” she said.

The reforms are also aimed to bring about an efficient planning approval process, and to streamline existing ones.

Ms Eden also said that the Department of Town and Country Planning is currently working with councils to identify topographical and climate related hazard areas.

“Based on this information, policies will be developed to ensure that development within these high-risk areas, are not permitted, or if permitted, that the risks to investments are minimized, through special conditions.”

Edited by Mohammed Ali

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