Labasa Town council targets rate defaulters

Labasa Town Council will pursue legal action against ratepayers with long-standing unpaid rates as it moves to strengthen revenue collection in the new financial year.

Council special administrator Samuela Ligairi said reducing unpaid rates was among the council’s priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year.

The council has not disclosed how much it is owed or the number of ratepayers in arrears.

Rate collection remains a challenge across Fiji’s 13 municipalities, including Labasa.

A discount period introduced by the ministry has provided an incentive for defaulting ratepayers to clear their outstanding payments.

Mr Ligairi said there had been some progress during the first half of the year, with some ratepayers beginning to clear their arrears.

He said the council relied on rates to fund services and avoid disruptions that could affect residents.

Its major expenses include garbage collection, drainage flushing, town clean-ups and beautification work.

New developments

The council also plans to look at areas where additional public toilets are needed and further beautification work as part of efforts to improve Labasa’s appeal.

Creating a greener environment is among its priorities as the council looks to strengthen the town’s tourism profile.

Sports tourism is another area the council wants to develop.

Subrail Park has hosted major events including national football tournaments, the Skipper Cup, Ratu Sukuna Bowl and Fiji Secondary Schools football championship.

These events have brought visitors into Labasa and provided business opportunities for the local economy during major sporting weeks.

“We want to grow sports tourism to a new height in Labasa,” Mr Ligairi said.