development
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Fiji landowners warn $1.4B waste-to-energy plant could derail $3B Saweni Bay resort and $550M rugby stadium
Landowners along the Vuda–Saweni corridor warn that a proposed $1.4 billion waste-to-energy plant could deter major investors and threaten planned developments. With emissions and environmental safeguards under review, a clash between growth and coastal heritage is shaping up as a decision looms.
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Fiji launches first five-week intensive induction for immigration officers to strengthen border management
A bold, five-week induction is reshaping Fiji’s immigration frontline. Twenty officers from across Permits and Visas, Border Security, and Passport and Citizenship join a pilot program aimed at boosting cross‑unit collaboration and sharpening border-management skills. The initiative promises practical, real‑world impact as frontline practice is professionalized.
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India’s MOS to Visit Vanuatu to Expand Development Ties and Review IT Centre
India steps up its Pacific outreach as a senior minister heads to Vanuatu for a focused two‑day visit. High‑level talks and a tour of new development and digital‑skills initiatives point to deeper cooperation in health, education and infrastructure, underscoring a broader push to strengthen ties with smaller island nations.
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UN rights envoy Mary Lawlor urges Fiji to secure free, prior and informed consent for Namosi dam and open-pit mine
UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor visits Fiji on an informal mission, spotlighting local concerns over proposed hydroelectric and mining projects in Namosi. The focus is on land rights, livelihoods, and the protection of defenders through free, prior and informed consent amid rising development tensions.
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Fiji rights panel urges community-first planning for major projects as Vuda waste-to-energy plan faces scrutiny
Fiji’s Human Rights Commission is urging a rights-based approach to major development, stressing that projects like the Vuda waste-to-energy plant must safeguard community health and the environment from the outset. The call centers on transparent, inclusive planning as public debate over big infrastructure intensifies.
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Fiji Cabinet approves two-stage Nabouwalu township plan with landowner leasing framework
A government-backed plan to turn Nabouwalu into a planned township advances to the next stage, pairing initial infrastructure with private, landowner-led development. A new leasing framework brings local stakeholders into the mix, outlining how private investment could follow government groundwork—subject to due diligence and regulatory checks—as the region eyes growth and jobs.
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Navua Residents Demand Transparent Development Plan and Urgent Upgrades Ahead of Town Status Declaration
Navua is pushing for a transparent road map before formal town status is granted. Residents want concrete plans for roads, lighting, parking, parks, sports facilities and health services—with clear timelines and funding to ensure real improvements on the ground.
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Kiribati and Australia launch KiriLEAD to strengthen governance and civil society
An ambitious new partnership in Kiribati aims to strengthen governance and civil society through KiriLEAD—a 3.5-year programme backed by Kiribati, Australia and SPC. With a focus on gender, disability, and inclusive development, the initiative aligns with KV20 and the national plan as it moves into implementation.
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Fiji urged to embed customary land knowledge in development planning to protect the vanua for future generations
Traditional knowledge meets modern planning as Fiji’s environment chief calls for formal recognition of customary land wisdom in development decisions. The push emphasizes safeguarding the vanua and long‑term stewardship over short‑term gains, as communities gather to shape policies at a landmark workshop.
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Fiji Police Open 60th Post to Stay Ahead of Development-Driven Crime, Savua Says
Back in 1998, policing faced a challenge: stay ahead of development. A former commissioner describes a shift toward pre-emptive policing—placing posts where growth would soon happen to outpace ‘transient criminals’ moving along expanding networks. A snapshot of how rapid development reshaped security strategy across the islands.