The three major outputs of the Department of Environment in its 2010 Annual Corporate Plan are to oversee the sustainable use, management and protection of the environment, licensing, compliance and implementation of policies and environment awareness.
In its commitment to see these outputs through, the Department of Environment established its office in the Northern and Western divisions in to make its services more efficient. Two officers are now stationed as senior environmental officers in the two divisions. Their base – Offices of the Commissioner Northern and Commissioner Western.
This move by Government is a way forward to expand quick services to the community on environmental issues such as conservation and biodiversity, waste pollution management from industries and littering prevention, environmental impact assessment, ozone depletion and environmental awareness.
The two offices will work closely with the respective Commissioners of the two divisions to ensure the efficient execution of required law mandated under the Department of Environment.
Previously all operations were managed from Suva. The move will assist in cutting travel costs from Suva to these divisions. The stationing of officers in the West and North will also improve the attention to queries or concerns raised by members of the public. This will also benefit other regulating agencies in the North and West as the Department of Environment plays a vital role in the development approval process as required under respective legislations.
The Department of Environment encourages members of the public in the North and West to raise their environmental concerns with the two officers.