'Land bank needs indigenous control'

Indigenous landowners should have decision-making power in the Land Use Bank, former SODELPA general secretary Viliame Takayawa says.

In his submission to the State Lands Act review on Monday, Mr Takayawa said the Land Use Bank established under the Land Use Act 2010 centralises control over designated land.

"Although ownership of iTaukei land is formally retained, strategic control over leasing, pricing, and development is transferred to the state," he said.

Mr Takayawa called for the bank to be restructured into decentralised provincial or regional land development trusts.

"The Land Use Bank should be restructured with statutory landowner representation and decision-making authority," he said.

"Landowners should be part of the organisation."

He also criticised how undeveloped indigenous land is valued based on present use rather than future potential.

"Undeveloped iTaukei land is commonly valued based on present use and administrative rental formulas rather than future economic potential," Mr Takayawa said.

He said valuation should be based on zoning, development potential, proximity to infrastructure and markets, and future productive use.

Mr Takayawa also proposed alternative lease models including profit-sharing and equity participation instead of fixed rental income.

"Current leasing arrangements prioritise investor certainty while confining landowners to fixed rental income," he said.