The Fiji Government has green-lit the removal of coastal mangroves at Laucala Beach to make way for the ambitious Nokonoko Integrated Development, a multi-million-dollar residential and commercial hub along the Suva-Nausori corridor.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo insisted the project strikes the right balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
“This decision reflects our government’s balanced approach to progress, ensuring development goes hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship,” Minister Vosarogo said.
“This development is a cornerstone of our commitment to a modern and inclusive economy. While we acknowledge the environmental considerations, we must also address the critical need for better housing, jobs, and infrastructure for the Fijian people.”
The approval follows a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and extensive community consultations, which the Ministry says received largely positive feedback from residents eager for improved amenities and rising property values.
“We are not abandoning our environmental obligations; we are upholding them by enforcing the highest standards of sustainability.”
“This project demonstrates that development and conservation are not mutually exclusive goals.”
Under strict conditions imposed by the Ministry of Environment, developers must replant mangroves in designated conservation zones and fund a long-term ecological monitoring program.
Backed by local and international investors, Nokonoko is tipped to create hundreds of construction and permanent jobs while injecting new business activity into the capital’s eastern growth corridor.
“This is part of a broader vision to prepare Fiji for the future—economically, socially, and environmentally.”
