The development of the Wairabetia Economic Zone is currently not classified as a foreshore development. Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, clarified the situation during a parliamentary session yesterday, explaining that the leased land intended for development does not currently include any foreshore areas.
He provided an update on the government’s initiatives in Wairabetia, highlighting that the lease approval, which was granted in 2017, has since been completed. Vosarogo noted that the peripheral survey for the dry part of the lease received approval in January 2024.
While the development primarily involves iTaukei land, Vosarogo mentioned that there are plans to potentially expand the project to include foreshore areas in the future. He emphasized the significant amount of state foreshore land available, indicating that it could play a critical role in the overall development.
Furthermore, he announced that a portion of the estimated $640,000 allocated for the project has been disbursed to landowners. This funding was directed to the iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) for lease and preliminary activities. Vosarogo confirmed that the leases will be transferred to the Ministry of Trade through the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, which will subsequently develop its own plans once the leases are officially registered.