The Cabinet has approved the development of a National Blue Town Framework for sustainable township development, including rural and regional areas and the maritime regions.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the framework will be informed by the National Blue Economy Framework which is being developed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change which will set the national definition and principles for the blue economy.
He says townships in Fiji have evolved in an ad hoc manner with growing adverse impacts on the economy and environment.
Rabuka says many of these unplanned developments of towns and cities are not conducive to the national vision for green and blue growth.
He says the framework will guide the creation of sustainable growth and stable incomes for communities that protect the environment instead of polluting it.
The Prime Minister says it will be a key part of moving towards a circular blue economy.
He adds when planning towns and cities, the framework will include important principles from town planning to avoid duplication of efforts and waste of resources and the National Blue Economy Framework Steering Committee will be the coordination and implementation mechanism.
