THE Next Generation Fiji (TNG) has welcomed clarification from the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water that it has no involvement in the proposed Vuda waste-to-energy project at Naikorokoro Point in Saweni, Lautoka.
It said the clarification reinforces the company’s position that the proposal is a privately led initiative being assessed entirely under Fiji’s own regulatory and environmental approval framework.
In its statement, the Australian Department said the $1.4billion proposal is a private sector matter and that Australia has no jurisdiction over the construction of waste facilities or privately owned ports in Fiji or other countries.
TNG Fiji founder and director Rob Cromb said the clarification helps ensure public discussion remains grounded in verified facts.
“It confirms clearly that there is no Australian Government involvement in this proposal and no approvals or applications currently before Australia in relation to waste export permits,” he said.
“This proposal will ultimately be assessed by Fiji’s own regulators, under Fiji’s laws, environmental standards and national interest.”
The Australian Department also confirmed it has not received any applications for permits to export waste from Australia to Fiji from Mr Ian Malouf, Mr Cromb, or TNG Fiji.
Under Australian legislation, including the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 and the Waigani Convention framework, any export of regulated waste would require formal application, detailed assessment, and ministerial approval.
TNG Fiji said the project has consistently been presented as a Fiji-based waste management and energy recovery initiative aimed at addressing domestic waste challenges, reducing reliance on landfill disposal, and improving energy generation capacity.
At an earlier public consultations, the project outlined a model requiring up to 900,000 tonnes of waste annually to generate approximately 80 megawatts of electricity. It also discussed potential domestic and regional feedstock sources as part of a broader integrated waste management approach for Fiji and the Pacific.
Mr Cromb said the proposal remains subject to Fiji’s technical and environmental assessment processes.
“The project is currently before the relevant technical committee, and we are engaging in that process in good faith. It is important that no assumptions are made about approvals. The process must be allowed to run its course, including all technical, environmental, and consultation requirements.”
TNG Fiji said it remains committed to transparency and continued engagement with stakeholders as the proposal progresses through Fiji’s regulatory framework.
