THE Lands Department will consider a rezoning application for a state land leased by Australian businessman Rob Cromb in Saweni, Lautoka, where the proposed Fiji waste-to-energy project could be located.
Speaking at a consultation in Viseisei Village over the weekend, Department of Lands regional manager west Uraia Rakaria said currently, the lease issued to Mr Cromb’s business was a special tourism development lease.
“The rezoning process will have to be done to change the current use (of the lease),” said Mr Rakaria.
He said Mr Cromb would have to meet certain requirements before any approval was given.
“We will consider consenting if the checklist is met and the requirements are in order.
“The consent is our part whereas the technical development approval will go through the town councils and the Department of Town and Country Planning.
“So it is not a full approval in terms of requirements.
This particular process raised concern from members of the Protect the Heritage Coast Committee in Lautoka.
Committee chairperson Paul Forrest said the environment impact assessment report should not have taken place without this approval from the Lands Department and Town and Country Planning.
“It questions the whole validity of the report because they have not been given proper approvals and the lease does not belong to TNG (The Next Generation Fiji),” said Mr Forrest.
Meanwhile, Environment permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael said The Next Generation Fiji Pte Ltd have met the department’s check list so far.
