THE Lautoka City Council is seeking support from Government and donor partners to secure land and construct a new regional landfill for the Western Division.
Acting CEO Taitusi Rasoki said funding for a feasibility study for a new Western Division Regional Landfill, focusing on resource recovery, was allocated in the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 national budgets.
“Council is hopeful that with help of Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Fiji can secure funding from Green Climate Fund for climate proofing of existing landfills and new landfill,” he said.
Mr Rasoki said the council was also seeking public patience and cooperation as firefighting and smoke control efforts continued at the Vunato Dump Site.
He said the council managed waste from Lautoka District, Nadi Town, rural Nadi, Denarau, the Mamanuca Islands, Malolo and the Yasawa Islands.
“Sixty per cent of waste is from outside city area.
“Hence, council needs support from dump users, government, National Fire Authority and donor agencies to assist council during these challenging circumstances so we can manage the landfill more effectively with the right resources whilst awaiting the new landfill which may take some time to be commissioned.”
Meanwhile, Mr Rasoki said firefighting operations at Lautoka’s Vunato Dump site are continuing at significant cost to the Lautoka City Council as smoke affects the city and surrounding communities.
“Despite 24-hour on-site security, monitoring the entire 45-acre landfill remains a challenge, especially at night.”
Mr Rasoki urged residents to wear face masks outdoors, stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities and keep windows closed where possible. “Council acknowledges the fact that fires at Vunato Dump can recur in future.”
