The Department of Environment has issued a stop work order for the Great Han Residential Development located on Princess Road in Suva.
In a statement released this morning, the department noted that it learned on September 5 about the Suva City Council’s earlier decision to lift a previous stop work order on the project. Following this, the Department of Environment conducted its own investigation and held discussions with the involved parties to assess whether this decision aligned with the department’s stance.
The findings revealed that Great Han had not adhered to the Suva City Council’s conditions, which stipulated that construction could only progress if the requirements set by the Department of Environment were fulfilled, according to an earlier decline decision. Consequently, the department initiated a stop work order on September 24, in accordance with Section 43 of the Environment Management Act 2005.
Concerns about the Great Han Residential Development date back to 2015 when the fenced-off area provoked dissatisfaction among local residents. Over the years, residents have consistently expressed their opposition to the development. A consultation held in October last year, attended by representatives from the Local Government Ministry and the developers, saw residents articulate their grievances, particularly focusing on the alleged lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
In response to the ongoing concerns, nearby residents formed a group called the Tamavua Action Group to consolidate their voices on the matter.
When approached for comment about the stop work order, a spokesperson for Great Han Residential Development stated they could not provide information at that time and indicated that any response from the directors would be given in the form of a statement.