A community clean-up at Saweni Beach in Lautoka has doubled as a petition drive, with residents and supporters voicing concern over a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator planned for the area.
Clean-up campaign organiser Lee-Ann Forrest said residents from the Saweni–Vuda corridor, members of the Vuda Paddlers Club and students from the International School in Nadi took part in the initiative.
“Together, they collected rubbish and tidied the foreshore, filling around 250 bags by the end of the day,” Ms Forrest said.
She said the Lautoka City Council assisted by collecting and transporting the waste for proper disposal.
However, beyond the clean-up effort, Ms Forrest said the event also served as a platform to raise awareness about the proposed incinerator.
“A petition table at the event allowed attendees to learn more and add their names in support of protecting the coastline and surrounding communities,” she said.
Despite the underlying concerns, she said the atmosphere remained positive, with families and volunteers coming together in a show of community spirit.
“Children combed the sand for litter, paddlers landed their canoes, and neighbours shared food at a community barbecue,” she said.
Ms Forrest said the strong turnout reflected the pride residents have in Saweni Beach and their commitment to safeguarding it.
She added that with the coastline increasingly valued for recreation and tourism, many residents believe careful consideration is needed before any major development decisions are made.
