The Department of Town & Country Planning has received an increasing number of rezoning and subdivision applications clearly highlighting the changing trends in the Navua area, west of Suva, from farming to more residential and urban type developments. In considering these applications, a number of issues have been noted such as the changing land use character of the contiguous area and the need to provide for adequate physical infrastructure such as roads, water supply, commercial and industrial facilities to sustain the expected increase in the local population. The Department is of the view that instead of considering applications from individual lot owners, it is prudent to prepare an Advisory Plan that addresses the planning issues and when applications are received from this area, it will be assessed in the context of this Advisory Plan.

The Navua Advisory Plan will include:

• an overall report of the research into the area’s opportunities and constraints for development;
• a set of recommendations and guidelines, developed in consultation with key stakeholders, aimed at improving the living environment of the residents in the study area whilst maintaining its rural character; and
• a strategic land use plan (map) that identifies the most effective organisation of land uses, including residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas and provision of parks and open space throughout the community.

The Department will use this information to plan for and manage development in the Navua area.