The traditional landowners of the Naboro Landfill, the Yavusa Bativudi, will receive a higher community levy for the use of their land for waste disposal.
This follows Cabinet approval of a revised agreement, under which the levy will increase from 78 cents to 85 cents for every tonne of waste received at the Naboro Landfill.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya says while the Naboro Landfill is situated on State Freehold Land, it is the ancestral land of the Yavusa Bativudi.
She says the government therefore recognises the importance of ensuring the community receives tangible benefits from the use of the land.
The Community Levy Agreement has been in place since 2014, with funds supporting education, housing, village development, investment, funeral expenses and other community obligations.
Tabuya says the Yavusa Bativudi requested a review of the levy in 2024, seeking an increase and a fairer distribution of the benefits.
She says the government consulted the community, the iTaukei Affairs Board and relevant government agencies before undertaking a Cost Benefit Analysis.
Tabuya says they sought a balance that is fair to the landowners, responsible to taxpayers and sustainable for Naboro.
Cabinet approved the revised agreement in July this year.
Under the new arrangement, the levy will be distributed equally across five priority areas: education, village housing, capital development and investments, village development, and funeral and village functions.
The revised agreement will run for five years, from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2029, in line with the current Naboro Landfill operating contract.
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Yavusa Bativudi to receive higher baboro landfill community levy
