Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned citizens known as Protect the Heritage Coast - Vuda, Saweni is now gathering signatures for a petition to stop this proposed set up from going ahead.
While we are trying to solve issues relating to the waste management system, it will also raise issues about the protection of communities as well.
Minister for Environment, Lynda Tabuya has made the comments while speaking on the proposed waste energy project in Vuda during the 2 day Continuing Legal Education Program Towards Resilient Blue Carbon Ecosystems.
Tabuya stresses the government has to strike that balance, but she asks the lawyers on where do they come in to deal with this, and what are their thoughts around this as it is very topical right now.
She says they will see advocacy groups being formed to do this well.
Tabuya says as a ministry, they have processes in place regarding the environmental impact assessment but these are issues that will continue to come up as they try to deal with the waste management issue.
She adds it is important that they hear all voices on this - our traditional communities, our coastal communities around there as well as the resource owners.
Tabuya says right now it's the residents of Vuda that are raising their voices.
She asks what about other voices as well as this is something government needs to hear as they consider this proposal.
She echoed the importance of inclusive dialogue, highlighting the need to hear from coastal communities, traditional resource owners and other stakeholders whose livelihoods may be affected.
Tabuya also acknowledges the concerns raised by members of the public regarding access to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the proposed Waste to Energy Facility and Private Port at Vuda Point.
Tabuya says as Minister, she takes responsibility for ensuring that their processes are transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the people.
She says recognises that access during standard government hours has been a challenge for many.
Tabuya says in response, the Department of Environment has extended viewing access by making the EIA Report available at First Landing Beach Resort and Villas, with access now available daily until 11pm.
She says additional access remains available at their offices in Suva, Lautoka and the Ba Provincial Office during normal working hours.
The Minister says the 21-day public review period, from 23rd March to 22nd April this year, is an important first step in the EIA process.
She strongly encourages all Fijians, particularly those located in close proximity to the proposed development, to take this opportunity to review the report and provide their written submissions.
Tabuya clarifies that the Environment Management (EIA Process) Regulations 2007 prescribes current requirements for physical access to EIA reports, including the 21-day period, as well as the fee of $5 per page.
She says these are legal provisions that the Department is required to follow.
However, she acknowledges that access to information is a constitutional right, and that their systems must reflect this.
Tabuya says that is why their ministry has proposed amendments of the current regulations to make EIA reports more accessible, including more practical and modern ways for the public to access information.
These proposed amendments are currently under review with the Solicitor General’s office.
As concerned citizens continue to raise issues regarding the Australian company TNG's proposed Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, the Department of Environment has now reaffirmed that this is only the first stage of public participation.
The Department says the second stage will involve formal public consultation sessions designed to capture the broadest possible range of community views, concerns, and recommendations.
A formal public notice will be published once consultation dates, times and venues have been confirmed.
The Department of Environment apologises for the inconvenience caused regarding access to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the proposed Waste to Energy Facility and Private Port to be situated at Vuda Point by The Next Generation Holding (PTE) Limited.
They say they have heard clearly from members of the public that access during standard government hours has been challenging, particularly for those who are only available outside the 8.00am to 4.00pm window.
To support the public and ensure wider accessibility, the Department has placed the EIA Report at First Landing Beach Resort & Villas, accessible from today, with viewing permitted from Monday to Sunday until 11.00pm.
They say this arrangement was made specifically to provide extended access, and the Department apologises for any earlier inconvenience faced by the public.
The Department reaffirms that the 21-day public review period, from 23rd March to 22nd April 2026, is the first formal stage of public engagement under the EIA process.
Members of the public are invited to review the report and provide written submissions by 22nd April 2026 within the prescribed public consultation period.
The report is available for public inspection at designated locations, free of charge, including extended access arrangements at First Landing Beach Resort & Villas and the Vuda Marina Police Post.
Viewing will also be facilitated at the Department of Environment Headquarters in Suva, the Department of Environment Lautoka Office, and the Ba Provincial Office at Rogorogivuda House in Lautoka during government hours from Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.00pm.
The Department says any unauthorized reproduction or distribution outside this process undermines the integrity of the EIA process and is not permitted.
The Department also acknowledges the public’s request for the EIA Report in digital form.
However, access to the environmental register, including EIA Reports, is governed by the Environment Management (EIA Process) Regulations 2007, which the Department is legally required to comply with.
Under Regulation 41(2)(e) and 41(4), the environmental register must be made available for inspection and copying during normal office hours on payment of the prescribed fee.
The Department says unless amendments to the law are made, the Department cannot distribute digital copies as it would expose the Department to legal challenge and undermine the integrity of the regulatory process.
The Department is aware that the proponent has indicated its intention to make the EIA Report available through its own social media channels at its discretion.
The Department clarifies that this decision is undertaken independently by the proponent and does not form part of the formal EIA review process administered by the Department.
They recognize that the current EIA Regulations, introduced in 2007, require modernization.
Amendments to the regulatory framework are currently underway.
Meanwhile the group of concerned citizens known as Protect the Heritage Coast - Vuda, Saweni is now gathering signatures for a petition to stop this proposed set up from going ahead.
The growing number of concerned citizens say in order to run the 80Mw incinerator they need to burn 900,000 tonnes of waste.
They say Fiji has only 200,000 tonnes of non recycled wet waste and even if it all could be burned, 700,000 tonnes of waste will have to be imported.
According to the Australian company, the proposed integrated Energy-from-Waste and Industrial Precinct at Vuda Point, will transform waste into clean energy for Fiji's sustainable future.
The daily capacity will be 2,700 tonnes of waste, and annual processing will be 900,000 tonnes.
The power output expected from the waste is 80MW
The site area will be 85 hectares and the total investment is FJ$1.4 billion.
It also says the proposed Energy-from-Waste plant anchors a broader industrial Estate designed for long-term growth and diversification.
The co-located industries to benefit from reliable power, steam, and strategic port access include data centres and digital infrastructure, desalination and water treatment, agro-processing and food manufacturing and green manufacturing facilities.
They say the environmental standards will meet strict EU emissions standards with advanced pollution control systems and continuous monitoring for environmental protection.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya has cleared the air that no decision has been made yet on the proposed Waste-to-Energy and Private Port Development by TNG Proprietary Limited at Vuda Point.
However, Opposition MP Premila Kumar says the proposed project is not an investment in Fiji's future but an indictment of the government's failure to protect it.
While delivering her ministerial statement this morning in Parliament, Tabuya says the Environmental Impact Assessment process is currently underway and the project has attracted significant national attention, as developments of this scale and nature rightly should.
Insert: Tabuya on proposed project, 27th April 26.
She stresses that the final determination will be made in accordance with the law, guided by evidence, and informed by consultation.
The Minister says, in any functioning democracy, ministers will meet with investors, landowners, community leaders and stakeholders.
Tabuya says these engagements allow proposals to be presented, concerns to be raised and information to be shared, but it is important to be clear that a proposal is not a permit.
She says a discussion is not an approval and under Fiji's legal framework, the authority to assess and determine environmental impact assessments is anchored in a statutory process established under the Environment Management Act 2005 and its regulations.
She adds that the framework exists to ensure independence, transparency and technical integrity.
Tabuya says the public response has been significant, including 875 written submissions, more than 5,600 online petition signatures, and over 3,100 paper-based signatures.
She says public consultations were also held in Viseisei, Naikorokoro and Waraibetia.
She also says these figures demonstrate that the process is active, accessible and being utilised by the people of Fiji.
Tabuya stresses that there will be no political interference, no predetermined outcome, and the decision will be guided by law, informed by evidence and shaped by consultation.
Responding to the ministerial statement, Opposition MP Premila Kumar stressed that this project has been opposed by the custodians of Viseisei, the tourism industry, the Minister for Tourism, athletes, landowners and tens of thousands of citizens.
She says when a government moves forward despite the chorus of opposition, it is not governing.
Kumar also said in Parliament that this proposed project has been rejected by Australia and is asking why the government would proceed with a project that is deemed too dangerous for a Western Sydney suburb.
She says this shows that our regulatory systems are weak, our institutions are vulnerable to commercial pressure and that somewhere in the machinery of power, the well-being of ordinary Fijians ranks below the interest of a foreign investor.
Insert: Kumar on project, 27th April 26.
Kumar says we are not being offered an energy solution but a contract to become the Pacific's rubbish bin.
More than 3,000 petition signatures and over 200 written submissions have been recorded, as consultations end on the proposed Vuda Waste-to-Energy project.
Public consultations led by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change have officially wrapped up after three days of engagement, marking a key step in the Environmental Impact Assessment review process.
The final round of discussions took place at Miki’s Supermarket Convention Centre, where members of the public had another opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions, and interact directly with project proponents, government officials, and other stakeholders.
The session ran late into the night, ending at around 12.45am this morning.
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Sivendra Michael, says the process now moves into a review phase.
All submissions collected during the consultations, along with those sent in writing, will be assessed by a Technical Review Committee made up of government agencies, academics, and environmental organisations.
He emphasises that no final decision has been made at this stage and is urging the public to respect the process as it unfolds.
He says all legal and environmental assessment procedures are being strictly followed to ensure a fair and transparent outcome.
As of last night, the Ministry had received 207 written submissions, along with petitions signed by 3,005 individuals, highlighting the strong level of public interest in the project.
The Ministry is also reminding the public that the EIA report remains open for viewing, and those who wish to make written submissions have until close of business tomorrow to do so.
The Ministry says every piece of feedback will be carefully considered before a final decision is made by the Director of Environment.
The government continues to stress its commitment to due process and accountability.
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