Beach Road Saga: Denarau Companies To Find Solution
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the Police were now monitoring disturbance and the controversy.
Sunday 03 March 2019 | 09:11
The scene at Denarau Island on Friday night. Police were present to monitor the situation.
Three people were allegedly assaulted at the height of an altercation between Denarau Waters Limited and Denarau Corporation Limited staff members on Friday night.
This is after Denarau Corporation Limited erected a gate at the entry to the controversial Beach Road after it was opened declared open to the public by Denarau Waters Limited on February 27.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the Police were monitoring disturbance and the controversy surrounding the Beach Road.
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The Denarau Beach Road has been at the heart of a decade long dispute between the two companies, Denarau Waters Limited and Denarau Corporation Limited.
On Thursday, what seemed to have been a resolved issue when it was opened to the public by Denarau Waters Limited, escalated after Denarau Corporation Limited opposed the decision.
Ms Naisoro said: “There is a dispute that we are monitoring but there has been a report of violence or tension. Confirming report. No charges yet.”
She said the two disputing parties planned on meeting again tomorrow.
Beach Road runs around the outer boundary of golf course is located on the Southern part of Denarau Island. It sits on crown land leased to Denarau Corporation Limited (DCL).
In 2008, a gate was said to be installed without proper authorisation by the 84 lot title owners. This was done in the first stage of Denarau Waters project.
It was said that the title owners had legal access to Denarau Road over the Denarau bridge by using the existing public Right of Way to and over Beach Road.
Denarau Waters Pte Ltd, said in an earlier statement: “From February 27, 2019, the Beach road will once again be accessible to the public. Appropriate legal action will be taken against any party causing such nuisance in future.”
On the other hand, Denarau Corporation Limited general manager Bob Speed said that DCL was the registered proprietor of Lot 8, which included Beach Road and was a private road under the control of DCL.
“Beach Road despite Denarau Waters’ assertion is not a public road,” said Mr Speed.
“It is DCL’s position that Denarau Waters Limited does not have the right to access Beach Road and its action in removing DCL’s gate and private property sign amounts to trespass and criminal damage.
“The matter is being addressed via representation by law firms of both parties with an aim to achieve legal resolution.”
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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