A Bill to amend the Town Planning Act 1946 was passed in Parliament yesterday, paving the way for long-awaited reforms to Fiji’s outdated planning laws.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalusima told Parliament the nearly 80-year-old Act no longer reflects the realities of a modern, expanding nation.
“The Act we seek to amend was enacted in 1946 — a time before Fiji’s independence, before the digital age, and before the complex urban challenges we face today,” he said.
Nalusima said the amendment represents a major reform, not a minor technical adjustment.
“This bill is not a mere administrative tweak; it is a foundational reform that will modernise our approach to urban planning and oversight and improve investment facilitation.”
A central feature of the reform is digitisation, replacing the current paper-based system with a digital framework that improves clarity, transparency and efficiency. The change will also enable the full operationalisation of the Building Permit Approval System (BPAS).
Nalusima said the amendments strengthen governance by ensuring planning decisions align with national development priorities and support community well-being and long-term economic stability.
The bill also empowers local governments and planning authorities, providing a more structured and consistent decision-making process with clearly defined responsibilities.
Addressing long-standing disparities in development standards across regions, the reforms aim to establish a uniform national framework benefitting urban, peri-urban and rural communities alike.
“Every citizen, regardless of where they live, deserves well-planned neighbourhoods, safe infrastructure and orderly growth,” Nalusima said.
The bill also extends the scope of the Town Planning Act beyond municipal boundaries to ensure consistent planning standards nationwide.
Nalusima concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to a modern, inclusive and transparent planning system that supports sustainable development.
