The Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment launched its first village planning scheme at Maumi village in Tailevu this week.
The Fiji Census of 2007 confirmed the category and designation of Fiji as an urbanised society, having recorded 51 per cent of its population as residents living in the urban areas. Projections thereafter forecasted this rate to be reaching 60 per cent by 2030.
The Urban Policy Action Plan (2007) and the National Housing Policy (2011) is a commitment by Government to provide decent housing and manage urban population.
Commissioner Central, Mr Laisenia Bale Tuitubou officially launched the planning scheme at Maumi village emphasising that village planning is vital for development.
βThe planning will guide the village in managing its own property and its living environment for sustainability. It will assist in terms of costing to government as it will prioritise areas of service,β Tuitubou said.
The sustainability of the urban area is significant to government as the urban area contributes more than 60 per cent of the national economy.
Given the requirements under the Local Government Act, Town Planning Act and Subdivision of Land Act ,developments within the urban boundaries were subjected to some form of planning, engineering and development control through the town planning schemes.
Mr Tuitubou said traditional villages have its own by-laws to govern development and growth within its setting and there is not much coordination between the local governments and the village as each governs itself in isolation of the other.
However, the need to have village plans, particularly those within the town areas is important for provision of infrastructure and amenities and its maintenance.