The proposed development of the $87 million Nalagi Residential Apartments at Short and Bau streets in Flagstaff, Suva is sparking significant pushback from local residents and property owners. The project, which plans to feature 221 residential apartments across two nine-storey buildings, has raised concerns among the community ahead of its slated construction start in 2027, expected to last for 48 months.
At a recent consultation at Suva’s Albert Park Pavilion, many community members expressed their opposition to the development. Local property owner Bipin Patel traveled from Sydney to attend, emphasizing his worries about the impact on his properties, particularly regarding potential excavation work and its effects on surrounding real estate. “It’s an absolutely bad idea to put up a building there because it’s going to affect everybody,” Patel stated, highlighting fears related to construction practices and the adequacy of due diligence conducted by the developers.
Adrienne Ali, a local barrister, echoed these sentiments, criticizing what she referred to as the “piecemeal approach” of regulatory authorities toward city planning and construction. Ali pointed out that vital assessments, such as the traffic impact analysis (TIA) and environmental impact assessment (EIA), haven’t been made accessible to residents, raising questions about proper public consultation and planning practices when dealing with such a sizable project.
In a related development, Jacqueline Hughes from the project’s EIA consulting firm, Planit Pacific Pte Limited, announced they will organize another consultation to ensure that other relevant authorities can participate in the discussion, indicating a potential shift towards more inclusive public engagement.
This situation reflects ongoing community concerns about large-scale urban projects in Suva, similar to residents’ reactions toward past developments such as the Great Han Residential Development, where issues regarding environmental assessments and public consultation were raised. Overall, there is a silver lining of hope that future consultations may foster better communication and cooperation between the developers and the community, leading to improved urban planning and development strategies that respect local interests and concerns.
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