The State Lands Act of 1945 is set to undergo a comprehensive review for the first time in nearly 80 years, as announced by Paula Cirikiyasawa, the Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources. Originally known as the Crown Lands Act, the legislation has only seen minor amendments in recent years, specifically in 2021 and 2022. Cirikiyasawa emphasized the need for a thorough review, stating that “a full review to address current issues such as climate change has never been done in 80 years.”
The review aims to modernize the legal framework governing state land management in Fiji, ensuring that it aligns with contemporary realities and challenges such as climate change, which has significant impacts on state land boundaries and coastlines. The minister highlighted the increasing state land arrears and delays in processing, asserting the necessity of digital advancements in the era of land management.
Making strides towards improving efficiency, Cirikiyasawa reiterated the need to balance sustainable development with the needs of the customers served by the ministry. The review process will involve part-time commissioners appointed through an expression of interest (EOI) process, ensuring that a transparent and independent framework underpins the initiative.
Public participation will be encouraged through various channels, including written submissions and consultations in areas where state leases are concentrated. The outreach will be facilitated through the ministry’s and the Fiji Law Reform Commission’s websites and social media, alongside public announcements.
The total budget allocation for the current fiscal year for all legislative reviews approved by Cabinet is $58,600, which will be distributed across three ongoing reviews conducted by the ministry. The objective of the review is to strengthen economic growth, sustainable development, and good governance in the management of Fiji’s state lands.
This remarkable move reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing land management and introducing equitable policies. It offers significant hope for fostering better relationships between the government and land users, ensuring that land management practices are not only effective but also sustainable and fair in the long run. This initiative comes as part of broader efforts to reassess outdated policies and practices within Fiji’s land governance, aligning with past discussions around the management of idle state land and improving financial returns from government leases.
Leave a comment