Other Approvals

The primary approvals required for planning and development are those described in the Planning Permissions section of this website, required under the provisions of the Town Planning Act and Subdivision of Land Act . In certain circumstances, however, additional approvals may be required in order for a development to proceed. Some of the most common are:

• Building Permits, which are required to certify the safety of proposed methods of construction prior to any works being commenced.
• Environmental Impact Assessment, which must be undertaken and approved before other permits can be granted for development that is large or in a sensitive area.
• Foreign Investment Approval, when a development involves significant funding from non-Fiji sources.

Building Permits are issued by local authorities under the Building Act . The purpose of building permits is to certify - for public health and safety - that construction methods are sound. When an application for Development Permission for building or rebuilding is lodged, applicants can also lodge an Application for Permission to Erect, Alter, Re-Build, Add to or Repair a Building, which can be considered simultaneously with the Application for Development Permission. Information (fees and requirements) and forms relating to Building Permits can be obtained at the offices of the respective local authorities.
A local authority cannot issue a Building Permit until the Director provides consent to the Application for Development Permission.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required when a proposed development that will physically alter the nature of land is ‘likely to cause significant environmental or resource management impact'. Impact assessment is necessary to minimise the adverse affects of development.

Under the Environment Management Act , EIAs are required having regard to:

• Preserving coastal environment, wetlands, lakes and rivers;
• Protecting outstanding natural features and landscapes;
• Protecting areas of significant indigenous vegetation and fauna habitat;
• Protecting human life and health; and
• The relationship of indigenous Fijians with ancestral lands, waters, sites, sacred areas.

The EIA process provides a means to control the impacts of development on these values. Determination of whether an EIA is necessary is made by the approving authority, which is Department of Town & Country Planning for proposals made under the Town Planning Act .
If EIA is required, review (processing) of the EIA Report is part of considering the Application for Development Permission. An Environmental Impact Assessment must be carried out by an accredited consultant engaged by the developer. The process includes:

• Review of previous studies and reports;
• Collection & analysis of information (including technical studies);
• Research into similar developments and similar sites/environments elsewhere;
• Projections and forecasts about the development and environment.

Before an EIA can begin, Terms of Reference (ToR) must be agreed with or provided by the relevant processing agency. ToR identify the scope of the process and any proposal- or site-specific issues that need to be addressed.

♦ EIa Process Overview

Please visit the environment website for an overview

For information about the Foreign Investment registration and certification processes, go to the website of the Fiji Islands Trade & Investment Bureau (FTIB) at www.ftib.org.fj .