A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday to mark the commencement of construction that will enhance a landmark in Savusavu.

The initiative to improve Savusavu hot springs as a landmark is expected to bolster tourism in the Northern town, while conserving and protecting the geothermal pool.

Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar, officiated at the event, and said Savusavu was the only town in Fiji with a hot spring.

The $46,000 Hot Spring project, supported by Commonwealth Local Government Forum and the European Union, will cover the construction of boulders around the hot spring, and bures.

“The hot spring has long been a central benchmark in Savusavu,” Ms Kumar said.

She said it was unusual to find hot springs in the centre of any town.

“I am pleased to see the project includes a visitors educational centre,” she said.

She said the project was an opportunity to protect and improve on one of the town’s natural assets, whilst enhancing and developing new eco-tourism assets.

Turaga ni yavusa Nakama, Jovesa Logaivau, said locals could join tourists in visiting the place, once construction was complete.

“A place which was once neglected will now capture attention from all over the world,” he said.

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