A TOTAL of 124 major development projects valued at approximately $1.23billion were approved across Fiji’s towns and municipal council areas between August 2025 and July 2026, Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa has revealed.
Responding to a written question in Parliament, Mr Nalumisa said the Department of Town and Country Planning facilitated the approvals across the Central, Western and Northern divisions.
The Central Division recorded 72 approved developments worth $757.6million, while 38 developments valued at $395.8million were approved in the Western Division. The Northern Division recorded 14 approved developments valued at $77.5million.
The projects covered a broad range of development activity within towns and municipal areas, including tourism and accommodation, commercial and mixed-use developments, residential projects, warehousing and logistics, institutional development, utility infrastructure and industrial development.
Mr Nalumisa said major developments often required coordinated assessments involving municipal councils and several infrastructure agencies.
“Mr Speaker Sir, the department recognises that major development proposals often require coordinated technical input from a number of infrastructure and utility agencies, particularly in relation to water and wastewater capacity, electricity supply, road access, traffic impacts and other supporting infrastructure.”
He said the department worked closely with municipal councils, which served as the first point of lodgement and referral in the development approval process. Councils have also been reminded not to unnecessarily hold applications requiring referral to the department.
Fortnightly coordination meetings are being held with agencies including the Fiji Roads Authority, Water Authority of Fiji and Energy Fiji Ltd to address infrastructure requirements and reduce delays.
The department has also introduced an internal five-day turnaround target for major development matters once all necessary information and documentation has been provided.
Mr Nalumisa said the guiding principle was “facilitation with compliance”, aimed at supporting investment while ensuring developments are properly planned, adequately serviced and comply with relevant laws and standards.
