TNG seeks full Environment Department records in Vuda project appeal

The Next Generation Holdings (Fiji) Pte Limited (TNG) is preparing to seek a court order for a complete appeal record after the Department of Environment disclosed that some requested documents were confidential.

The issue arose before Environment Tribunal Magistrate Charles Ratakele yesterday during TNG's appeal against the rejection of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application for a proposed waste-to-energy plant in Vuda.

The Tribunal heard that the appeal record filed by the Department of Environment on July 31 was incomplete.

TNG's senior counsel, Feizal Haniff, told the Tribunal the company had written to the Attorney-General's Office (AGO) on August 10, outlining a detailed list of documents that had not been disclosed.

He said the company was still awaiting a response from the Department.

Appearing for the Attorney-General's Office, Apete Bauleka told the Tribunal that some of the documents requested by TNG were internal. However, he agreed that reasons for withholding those documents would be provided by August 27.

Mr Haniff said TNG would consider filing an application to obtain a complete appeal record.

He also indicated that expert witnesses would be called during the substantive hearing, which is yet to be scheduled.

The matter was adjourned to September 3.