There is some confusion now on whether the construction on part of the Marist Brothers High School land will be halted to allow for an appeal process or continue.
A spokesperson for the group of objectors has today released a statement that the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Parveen Bala has approved the extension to the appeal period by the Flagstaff residents and business owners enabling them to make a case against the rezoning of part of the Marist playground into a commercial site and the traffic problems associated with the development.
A letter signed off by the Director of Town and Country Planning to the Chief Executive Officer of the Suva City Council, Bijay Chand says that the Minister considered the request through a consultative approach, including the release of the Traffic Impact Assessment report to the objectors, as received by the objector’s representative, Adrienne Ali on the 15th of July.
The Director of Town and Country Planning, Talei Rokotuibau also says in the letter to the SCC that in acknowledging the request to consider the appeal, it is imperative that all works on the site ceases.
She says in the letter that SCC is to advise the applicant that works on the site or any construction development work or activity shall cease until a decision is made by the Minister on the appeal.
The Director also advised SCC to issue a stop work notice in this regard.
Rokotuibau has also asked that the construction fence or hoarding walls placed at the junction of Carew Street and Bau Street shall be removed.
She says this is blocking the line of sight, triggering traffic hazard for vehicles turning in and out of Carew Street.
SCC has been asked to liaise with the Fiji Roads Authority on this.
When contacted by Fijivillage earlier this afternoon, Parveen Bala said he will comment later.
SCC CEO, Bijay Chand is not at the office today while SCC Special Administrator, Chandu Umaria could not be reached for a comment.
We have also sought a response from the developers.
Work continued at the construction site today.
