The aim of the review of the town planning laws is to create a planning law that will respond very well to modern-day planning principles and practices, including development controls, says Minister for Local Government, Education, Heritage and Arts Premila Kumar.
“Having the appropriate legal framework, financial backing and human capacity are required for effective planning,” Ms Kumar said.
“I had informed this House previously that the Ministry of Local Government is reviewing the enabling legislation to ensure it is fit for purpose.”
She said both the Town and Country Planning Act of 1946, and the Subdivision Act of 1937 were no longer serving their interest.
“Unfortunately, our planning and development guidelines cannot support new thinking in planning, backed by innovative designs and technologies.
“Since 1946, there had been minor amendments made to these Acts, particularly to the definitions and inclusion of new town planning areas under the Town Planning Orders.
“These amendments were made till 1973. However, since then, there were no further amendments, and a revised edition of the Act, bearing all amendments, was published in 1978.
“We know a 70 or even 50-year-old piece of legislation is no longer relevant in the field of planning.
“What we want for Fiji are laws that will create sustainable and resilient cities and towns. Laws that are forward looking and adaptive to changing needs.
“The objective of the review is to create a planning law that will respond very well to modern day planning principles and practices, including development controls.”
She said although the existing laws had the basic town planning and land development control provisions that were still applied today, the provisions covered planning issues and land development control matters that applied to the development of the past decades.
“Planning and development control from those past decades up till now has greatly evolved worldwide, with newer planning principles and techniques introduced to respond to the changes.”
