Savusavu was declared a town in September 1976 and this announcement was covered by The Fiji Times in a report on September 6, 1976.
The declaration was the first after 10 years, with the last town announcement being Sigatoka in 1959.
The proclamation had been made by then Governor Sir Robert Foster, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers and the Town Planning Board.
A government statement read the creation of the new township recognised the progress Savusavu had made – progress which was expected to continue in the future.
At the time, Savusavu was already the centre of a large copra-producing district and was becoming increasingly important as an attractive port of call for visitors.
The proposed road link with Labasa, when completed, was expected to add to the prosperity of this growing township, the statement added.
Appointments Minister for Fijian Affairs and Local Government, Ratu Penaia Ganilau, appointed L.H Simpson as the first chairman of the township board.
He also appointed H.L Barrack, Bhagauti Prasad, M.C Imrie, R.M Lepper, Lui Chan, Mosese Senico and Shantilala Gulabdas as members. The roko tui Cakaudrove was also a member of the board.
The district engineer Northern and divisional medical officer were allowed to attend meetings as the nominees of the director of Public Woks and the divisional medical services.
There was a provision under the Township Ordinance for the people of Savusavu to elect board members in the future if they wished.
