Department of Town and Country Planning has been actively contributing to Fiji’s economic recovery- Ali

The Department of Town and Country Planning has been actively contributing to Fiji’s economic recovery in the building sector and they have processed major building applications worth more than $70 million.

This has been highlighted by the Permanent Secretary of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Shaheen Ali at the 73rd World Town Planning day with the theme “Think Global, Plan Local”.

He adds the vision for a modern Fiji is for planners and public agencies, and industry experts to get together and ‘Think Global, Plan Local’ for a more vibrant and sustainable Fijian towns and cities.

Ali adds to achieve the best for the people, they need policies and plans that are robust and adaptable to the changing times and receptive to new concepts and ideas of quality living.

He says as part of a Small Island Developing State, with limited resources, planning needs to be a continuous effort by stakeholders and it cannot be solely achieved by the Department of Town and Country Planning but need Municipal Councils, agencies such as Lands and Housing, iTaukei Land Trust Board, Water Authority of Fiji, Fiji Roads Authority, Energy Fiji Limited, private sector and the public to collectively take steps towards modern planning.

He adds the need to plan for sustainable and modern urban cities and towns, the Fijian Government is investing in satellite growth centres that include Nabouwalu, Seqaqa, Korovou and Keiyasi.