THE proposed $5million development near Coronation Park was met with criticism and rejected by residents who turned up in full force to express their disdain of the project that threatens to remove at least four rain trees.
Still upset over the handling of projects such as the Lautoka swimming pool, Tappoo City and Shirley Park, the residents shared their concern over another initiative that threatens the city’s renowned open spaces.
According to the council, the proposed project is anticipated to take up 1480 square metres on two development lots owned by the Lautoka City Council, excluding the 5300 square metres of the land within Coronation Park.
However, four raintrees, four park benches and six Ashoka trees will be removed to make way for the three-storey building proposed to feature apartment or hotel rooms, a car park and office spaces.
This detail did not go down well with the majority of the residents who fear the project could impact the remaining open space of Coronation Park.
Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association president Narayan Reddy said the residents wanted assurances from the developers that the remaining raintrees on Coronation Park would not be affected.
“We have been told by the developer’s consultant that while they will be building, they could come across the roots of these trees and that may need to be removed,” said Mr Reddy.
“Where is the guarantee they will not cut down those trees?”
Association former president Maude Elbourne echoed Mr Reddy’s concerns, adding that while Lautoka was known to have 111 open spaces, it was no excuse to remove them for development.
“We have open spaces in the Botanical Garden and Simla, but no one wants to go all the way there to go and sit and take a break,” said Ms Elbourne.
“It is these open spaces within the main city that are the ones that people go to like Shirley Park and Coronation Park.”
Landowner Joji Nava questioned why Lautoka needed a hotel.
“When you build a hotel, you need an attraction. Where is that attraction in Lautoka for the tourists?” Mr Nava said.
“At the moment, we have retail shops that are just sitting there and vacant office spaces that businesses don’t want to rent out.
“First, get a reason to attract the tourists then build the hotel for them.”
We are not taking away Coronation Park – Chand
THE proposed $5million threestorey building by Challenge Engineering Pte Limited in the heart of the Lautoka City will only take up two lots owned by the municipal council.
Addressing residents at the public consultation on the proposed development, LCC building planning services acting director Daniel Chand said the park situated closer to Coronation Church would remain an open space.
“We are not taking away Coronation Park,” said Mr Chand.
“The development is on council land Lot 4 and Lot 5 which is averting Coronation Park.”
Mr Chand said the development of the two lots had been up for tender since 2023.
“On the survey plan, Lot 4 and 5 are the two vacant lots we have, and they’re fully subdivided lots.
“The expressions of interest were advertised in 2023 when we were inviting investors to a public-private partnership to develop these two lots and Challenge Engineering Pte Limited was the only applicant, and following due process, they were provisionally awarded the tender.
“Following that, the details of the public-private partnership were negotiated and both the parties agreed to that early this year.”
Mr Chand said the The concept plan was compiled following that and submitted to the council to facilitate a stakeholder consultation.
He said the development followed a BOOT model which means the council would eventually own the property after 35 years.
“This arrangement allows the development of council land at no cost to the council.
“This is where the publicprivate partnership comes in. So, they will build it, own it, operate it and then transfer it to the council after 35 years.
“The advantage of a BOOT model is basically developing council property without the council taking any risks or any debt.”
Ex mayor questions council’s involvement
FORMER Lautoka City Council mayor Kenneth Low has questioned the council’s involvement in a private business development when it ought to be looking out for the welfare of the city’s ratepayers.
Mr Low told the public consultations on the proposed $5million three-storey development near Coronation Park that the city council, in the past, has always been an oversight or a supervisor of private developments.
“Why is the city council going into development?” he said.
“They make sure that it is done for the best interests of the city.”
Speaking as an architect and resident, Mr Low said the development by Challenge Engineering Pte Limited was located near one of the busiest roundabouts in the city.
“It is the centre of Lautoka. It is opposite the Post Office, the fire station, Telecom and government buildings.
“Lots of cars go through this road.”
Mr Low said the development proposed to feature an egress and an ingress which referred to the ability to enter and exit a property.
“They expect to put an egress and ingress at the corner site of the proposed plan which is disastrous.
“It’s dangerous.”
The former mayor also questioned whether the National Fire Authority had seen the plan.
“I do not believe that they have.
“Now, why are you going to this joint venture that opens another door to possible corruption and temptation.”
Mr Low was among a large number of residents and ratepayers who came out yesterday for the first session of the public consultations.
