COMMUNITY leaders in the Malomalo district are demanding greater transparency over the proposed Google Data Center at Natadola Beach, claiming the project proceeded without adequate consultation on its long-term environmental impacts.
Malomalo district representative Emoni Rokomoce said residents remained concerned about the lack of engagement and the potential impact on marine resources.
“On the beach there are red and white cords tied to cables which run underground right up to where the construction works are taking place,” he said.
“Our concern is how this will impact our natural resources, especially the sea and the marine life.”
Mr Rokomoce also accused the developers of using dishonest processes to secure the site.
Nadroga Navosa Resource Owners Committee representative Mosese Volavola said legal action could be considered, claiming landowners were not fully informed about the project’s scope.
“FNPF is at fault because they were not clear about the other activities that would go on once the project was up and running and the landowners were not consulted,” he said.
“They were only to lease the land. Once they touched the qoliqoli, they should have gotten approval. The resource owners’ understanding was that this was a tourism lease.”
The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) confirmed it granted a 25-year sublease to Natadola Bay Resort Ltd (FNPF) from January 1, 2025, which was later assigned to Staghorn Services Pte Ltd for the Google Data Center and registered on February 23, 2026.
TLTB said two consultation meetings were held with FNPF and affected landowners in May and July 2025 at Sanasana Village, where the project and premium payments were discussed. However, it said its consultation responsibility was limited to the affected landowning unit and Sanasana Village, while wider community engagement fell under the Ministry of Lands and the Provincial Office.
Questions sent last week to FNPF, Google, Energy Fiji Limited and the Water Authority of Fiji remained unanswered.
