FIJI:

LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE

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 FIJI:
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD 5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6

BACKGROUND 8

GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE 11

PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT 13

LAND DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 14

INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC URBAN SERVICES 15

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44
FOREWORD
According to
research published
in UN-Habitat’s1
flagship report, The
State of the World’s
Cities 2010-2011,
all developing
regions, including
the African,
Caribbean and
Pacific states, will
have more people
living in urban than
rural areas by the
year 2030. With
half the world’s
population already living in urban areas, the challenges
we face in the battle against urban poverty, our quest for
cities without slums, for cities where women feel safer,
for inclusive cities with power, water and sanitation,
and affordable transport, for better planned cities, and
for cleaner, greener cities is daunting.
But as this series shows, there are many interesting
solutions and best practices to which we can turn. After
all, the figures tell us that during the decade 2000 to
2010, a total of 227 million people in the developing
countries moved out of slum conditions. In other
words, governments, cities and partner institutions have
collectively exceeded the slum target of the Millennium
Development Goals twice over and ten years ahead of
the agreed 2020 deadline.
Asia and the Pacific stood at the forefront of successful
efforts to reach the slum target, with all governments
in the region improving the lives of an estimated 172
million slum dwellers between 2000 and 2010.
In sub-Saharan Africa though, the total proportion of
the urban population living in slums has decreased by
only 5 per cent (or 17 million people). Ghana, Senegal,
Uganda, and Rwanda were the most successful countries
in the sub-region, reducing the proportions of slum
dwellers by over one-fifth in the last decade.
Some 13 per cent of the progress made towards the
global slum target occurred in Latin America and the
Caribbean, where an estimated 30 million people have
moved out of slum conditions since the year 2000.
Yet, UN-Habitat estimates confirm that the progress
made on the slum target has not been sufficient to
counter the demographic expansion in informal
settlements in the developing world. In this sense,
efforts to reduce the numbers of slum dwellers are
neither satisfactory nor adequate.
1 UN-Habitat - United Nations Human Settlements Programme
As part of our drive to address this crisis, UN-Habitat
is working with the European Commission and the
Brussels-based Secretariat of the African, Caribbean
and Pacific (ACP) Group to support sustainable urban
development. Given the urgent and diverse needs, we
found it necessary to develop a tool for rapid assessment
and strategic planning to guide immediate, mid and
long-term interventions. And here we have it in the
form of this series of publications.
The Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme is based
on the policy dialogue between UN-Habitat, the ACP
Secretariat and the European Commission which dates
back to the year 2002. When the three parties met at
UN-Habitat headquarters in June 2009, more than 200
delegates from over 50 countries approved a resounding
call on the international community to pay greater
attention to these urbanization matters, and to extend
the slum upgrading programme to all countries in the
ACP Group.
It is worth recalling here how grateful we are that the
European Commission’s 9th European Development
Fund for ACP countries provided EUR 4 million (USD
5.7 million at June 2011 rates) to enable UN-Habitat
to conduct the programme which now serves 59 cities
in 23 African countries, and more than 20 cities in six
Pacific, and four Caribbean countries.
Indeed, since its inception in 2008, the slum upgrading
programme has achieved the confidence of partners at
city and country level in Africa, the Caribbean and in
the Pacific. It is making a major contribution aimed
at helping in urban poverty reduction efforts, as each
report in this series shows."
I wish to express my gratitude to the European
Commission and the ACP Secretariat for their
commitment to this slum upgrading programme. I
have every confidence that the results outlined in this
profile, and others, will serve to guide the development
of responses for capacity building and investments in
the urban sector.
Further, I would like to thank each Country Team for
their continued support to this process which is essential
for the successful implementation of the Participatory
Slum Upgrading Programme.
FOREWORD
Dr. Joan Clos
Executive Director, UN-Habitat
5 5
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
The Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme is an
accelerated and action-oriented urban assessment of
needs and capacity-building gaps at the city level. The
European Commission’s European Development Fund
supports this programme which is being implemented
in 59 cities of 23 African countries, as well as 21 cities
in four Pacific and three Caribbean countries. The
programme uses a structured approach where priority
interventions are agreed on through consultative
processes. The programme’s methodology consists of
three phases: (1) a rapid participatory urban profiling at
national and local levels, focusing on governance, local
economic development, land, gender, environment,
slums and shelter, basic urban services, waste
management, and proposed interventions; (2) detailed
priority proposals; and (3) project implementation.
Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme in Fiji
encompasses profiles for Lautoka and Suva, each
published as a separate report. This is the Lautoka
City report; it constitutes a general background and a
synthesis of the four themes: governance and finance;
planning and management; land development and
administration; and infrastructure and basic urban
services.
BACKGROUND
Lautoka, also known as the Sugar City, has grown as
an industrial centre with sugar mills and logging chip
yards near one of Fiji’s main ports of entry, Lautoka
Harbour. Lautoka’s growth rate has stalled in the last
15 years as its activities depend on the expansion of the
sugar industry.
The growth of the peri-urban areas or peripheries of
Lautoka has led to an increase in the city’s population.
The increasing number and density of existing informal
settlements is also a problem that the City Council
needs to overcome.
GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
Under the Local Government Review and Reform of
2008, the Lautoka City Council is governed by a special
administrator, who is a Government-appointed official.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This replaces the elected-council system as spelt out in
the Local Government Act.
The reform is in fulfillment of a local government body
that is apolitical, practices good governance and delivers
effective services to rate-paying residents of Lautoka.
The Council has its strategic directions with a vision,
mission and objectives penned into its Strategic Plan
66
(2010-2014) as approved by the Ministry of Local
Government, Urban Development, Housing, and
Environment. These documents are complimented by
annual corporate plans and budgets as required by the
Ministry, and in accordance with the Local Government
Act.
The Council’s main revenue stream includes various
rate-paying properties and other sources such as market
stalls, bus station fees, taxi ranks, and major assets like
Churchill Park and its commercial complexes. The
collection of rates has been a strength of the Council.
One of the criteria in the special administrator’s terms
of reference calls for collection of more than 50 per cent
of outstanding rates. In the last three years, the Council
has improved in the collection of these outstanding rates.
The Council has a quarterly publication that informs the
public on the progress of the city, participation in some
decision-making and makes appeals for community
support towards the city’s growth.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
CHURCHILL PARK
The Approved Lautoka Town Planning Scheme (1990)
is the city’s primary planning document. The Council
uses it to regulate development and to determine land
subdivisions within the city limits. The director of
town and country planning to the Council determines
development applications.
The Council uses the policy directions stated in the
approved town planning scheme. However, use of
these directions is limited because the procedures
for implementing the approved plan for Lautoka’s
development are not well known and understood.
Recognizing the growth of supporting services and
limited land supply, The Department of Town and
Country Planning had zoned the peri-urban areas of
Lautoka; for example the Lovu Advisory Plan (2010)
and the Vuda - Sabeto Plan (2009). These plans were also
formulated in close consultation with the Council, with
peri-urban areas proposed for subdivision subjected to
the Council’s standards. Other rules in place for local
area control and management include the Public Health
and Building Regulations, the National Building Code
and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.
The Council, while having a Planning Unit, lacks
a professional town planner to spearhead the
implementation of the Scheme. Instead, tasks under the
Scheme are carried out by the city engineers, building
and health inspectors. So far, their efforts have been
commendable because developments have been orderly
and in accordance with the Scheme.
LAND DEVELOPMENT AND
ADMINISTRATION
Lautoka has three main land tenure systems: State,
native and freehold land. Most of the land within the
municipality’s boundary is native or owned by the I
Taukei landowning unit, the indigenous population
and state land.
Administration of freehold property rests entirely
with private individuals; State and native land are
administered by the director of lands and the I Taukei
Lands Trust Board, respectively. The Taukei Lands Trust
Board is the custodian, hence is the agency which the
Native Lands Trust Act mandates to administer I Taukei
lands or that which the indigenous landowning units
own communally.
State land is administered under the Crown Lands Act.
The landowning units of these villages do play a major role
in determining land use, utilization and administration
of their respective native land in consultation with the
I Taukei Lands Trust Board. The current government
system utilizes “Letters of Understanding” in joint
economic ventures. The Ministry of Local Government
encourages joint economic ventures, which is in line
with the Urban Policy Action Plan, in dealing with the
ad-hoc release of prime native land.
Lautoka has not yet grown to its full potential because
the rate of physical development has been low in the last
20 years. The Lautoka community – that is the Council,
Chamber of Commerce, Government stakeholders and
the residents – recognize this, hence giving effect to the
need for investments. As a result, there is increasing
Council interest in utilization of State land and in
native landowners releasing land immediately outside
the town boundary, which are areas included in the
municipality’s proposed boundary extension.
A notable percentage of native land within the town
boundary is occupied by informal settlements with
Letters of Understanding releasing land for housing at
costs the urban poor can afford. However, residents also
bear the cost of infrastructure provisions to these lands.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC
URBAN SERVICES
The provision of urban infrastructure and services
in Lautoka is a responsibility shared by the national
and local governments. Provision of roads, water and
sanitation is the responsibility of the Ministry of Works
through its roads, water and sewerage agencies. The
Council maintains non-capital services like drains, solid
waste, street lights, sporting grounds, and community
facilities. All Lautoka residents, except those in informal
settlements, have access to these services. However,
poor maintenance of drainage systems has resulted in
flooding during heavy rainfall.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
77
 BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION
Urban Profiling
The Lautoka City Council Urban Profiling consists
of an accelerated, action-oriented assessment of urban
conditions, focusing on priority needs, capacity
gaps, and existing institutional responses at local and
national levels. The purpose of the study is to develop
urban poverty reduction policies at local, national
and regional levels, through an assessment of needs
and response mechanisms, and as a contribution to
the wider-ranging implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals. The study is based on analysis of
existing data and a series of interviews with all relevant
urban stakeholders that include local communities and
institutions, civil society, the private sector, development
partners and academics. Typically, the consultation
results in a collective agreement on priorities and their
development into proposed capacity-building and other
projects that are all aimed at reducing urban poverty.
The urban profiling is being implemented in 30
African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, offering
an opportunity for comparative regional analysis. Once
completed, this series of studies will provide a framework
for central and local authorities, urban actors, as well as
donors and external support agencies.
METHODOLOGY
The Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
consists of three phases:
Phase one consists of the rapid profiling of urban
conditions at national and local levels. The capital city,
a medium-sized city and a small town are selected and
studied to provide a representative sample in each country.
The analysis focuses on four themes: governance and
finance, planning and management, land development
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - BACKGROUND
and administration, and infrastructure and basic urban
services. Information is collected through standard
interviews and discussions with institutions and key
informants in order to assess the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats of the national and local
urban set-ups. The findings are presented and refined
during city and national consultation workshops and
consensus is reached regarding priority interventions.
National and city reports synthesize the information
collected and outline ways to reduce urban poverty
through holistic approaches.
Phase two builds on the priorities identified through
pre-feasibility studies and develops detailed capacity-
building and capital investment projects.
Phase three implements the projects developed
during the two earlier phases, with an emphasis on
skills development, institutional strengthening and
replication.
88
This report presents the outcomes of Phase One at the
local level in Lautoka.
URBAN PROFILING IN LAUTOKA
Urban profiling in Lautoka is one of two such exercises
conducted in Fiji. A similar exercise is being conducted
in Suva. Each urban profile is published as a separate
report.
REPORT STRUCTURE
This report consists of:
1. a general background of the urban sector of
the Lautoka City Council, based on findings of
assessment of the municipal council’s reports,
strategic plans, desk studies and interviews
including questionnaires. The background includes
data on administration, urban planning, economy,
the informal and private sectors, urban poverty,
infrastructure and basic urban services, public
transport, energy, social services, rural-urban
linkages, town to traditional urban village linkages,
land tenure and administration, health, and
education.
2. an assessment of four main areas – governance
and finance, planning and management, land
development and administration, and infrastructure
and basic urban services. This section also provides
an overview of the existing institutional set-up,
regulatory framework, resource mobilization and
performance. A list of project proposals to attend to
areas of priority is also identified.
3. a basic strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
threats analysis, and an outline of priority project
proposals for each theme, is also provided.
ECONOMY OF LAUTOKA
Over 60 per cent of the national economy is generated
in the urban centres. Many industrial activities and
developments are carried out in the western areas of Fiji.
Lautoka Port is the main exchange or point of entry into
Fiji. Ports and points of entry generate economic activity
with vessels, including cruise liners, berthing at Lautoka
Harbour and bringing domestic and foreign visitors into
the city. However, there are very few tourist attractions
and tourism supporting services within the municipality.
In addition, developers are not creating tourist attractions
due to projected low demand for these facilities.
Nevertheless, the city thrives on industrial supporting
services, sugar mills, Lautoka port and Churchill Park,
which is one of the main tourist attractions in the city.
The informal sector also contributes to the economy
in terms of the labour force, small or micro-businesses
and market produce. The country’s main agency,
which is the National Micro-Enterprise and Small
Business Industries, as well as the International Labour
Organization, supports the informal sector in various
areas that include capacity-building, the establishment
of small businesses and cottage industries. The
Integrated Human Resource Development Programme
of the Ministry of Labour has made significant impact
in the informal sector within the urban and peri-urban
areas of Lautoka in activities ranging from agriculture,
handicrafts to small-scale businesses.
The private sector is the engine of the urban economy
with the Lautoka Chamber of Commerce being the
driving force. The Council, in its efforts for integration
for the growth of Lautoka, and through the new local
government reforms since 2009, has coordinated
programmes with the Chamber of Commerce to
support an enabling investment environment.
HOUSING AND SHELTER
There is a variety of formal housing in Lautoka built
in accordance with residential zoning under the town
planning scheme. These are single detached dwellings,
multi-unit residential houses, apartments, and lodges.
Beside these, are the informal settlements within
the municipalities and in the peri-urban areas along
the main roads and river tributaries. These informal
settlements are most vulnerable in terms of disaster and
epidemics. The Government is planning to relocate one
of the main informal settlements. However, residents of
these settlements are reluctant to move.
The Taukei Lands Trust Board also has plans for the
upgrading of a number of informal settlements,
including Natabua.
WATER
Faith-based organizations record that over 60 per
cent of the country’s population has direct access
to clean drinking water, through connection to the
water reticulation system that the Water Authority
of Fiji administers and controls. However, Lautoka
experiences low and inadequate water supply and, as a
result, frequent water rationing that can last for weeks.
The contributing factors are the city’s location to the
main reservoir, limited pressure and high maintenance
cost as pipes are old.
SANITATION, SEWERAGE AND
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Lautoka is one of the cleanest cities in Fiji. The entire
city has sewerage connection, with the exception of
the informal settlements. The Japan International
Cooperation Agency’s funded programme for 3Rs
(reduce, re-use and recycle) in the Western Division
is based in Lautoka. This scheme also extends to the
informal settlements and tries to provide solutions for a
cleaner and rubbish-free environment.
ENERGY, POWER AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The entire Lautoka population has access to electricity
supplied by Fiji Electricity Authority. Residents
are also served by various communication and
telecommunication providers, including mobile
services. The interest to pursue alternative sources
of energy, particularly solar, is fairly low, despite the
impact of climate change on the city. However, there
is potential for solar energy given the city’s low annual
rainfall. Councils are encouraged to pursue energy-
saving initiatives by 2012, which will push the city
toward use of these initiatives in line with the Urban
Policy Action Plan thematic area of Urban Environment
Management.
ROAD ACCESS, MOBILITY AND
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The Council maintains all roads within the city’s
boundaries and all areas are served with urban standard
tar-sealed roads. The Council also maintains main roads
and arteries to the existing road network, which are
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - BACKGROUND
the main subdivisional roads within each sub-centre.
The main road linking Lautoka to the other towns is
Kings Road, running south-west to Nadi and north-
west to Ba and other north-west municipalities. It is
maintained by the director of national roads.
The main forms of public transport are buses, taxis,
carriers, and minivans. The Government’s position on
road maintenance, through the Ministry of National
Planning’s Coordinating Committee Agency on Roads,
has placed major pressure on the Council in maintaining
urban roads, as prioritization of road works rests with
the Coordinating Committee Agency on Roads.
9 9
 RURAL-URBAN AND TOWN-
TRADITIONAL URBAN VILLAGE
LINKAGES
The rate of Lautoka’s urbanization is closely associated
with the city’s job, educational, commercial, and
industrial opportunities. Many residents of informal
settlement in Lautoka have moved to areas in the
municipality – such as Tomuka and Waiyavi – in search
of better education. Lautoka hosts a number of elite
schools, like Natabua High School and Lautoka Central
College. For this reason, there is not a dramatic increase
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - BACKGROUND
in the number of settlements but there is a greater
density of people within existing settlements.
HEALTH
Lautoka is the main hub for the Western Divisional
health offices, hosting the main hospital and health
10
10
services for residents. The public has access to these
services, and within the city boundary there are health
centres serving residential precincts. However, these
services are not available in informal settlements where
very few health awareness programmes are being carried
out. The exceptions are programmes on HIV/AIDS,
non-communicable diseases and environmental health.
These programmes are being conducted in partnership
with the Department of Environment. The Council’s
Health Department and the Ministry of Health
intervene in the informal settlements in cases of natural
disasters or disease epidemics, such as typhoid.
EDUCATION
The city attracts a young population throughout the
year because of the high quality education it offers and
access to tertiary institutions such as the University of
the South Pacific Campus and the University of Fiji.
GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
The local government review and reform of 2008 has
brought about positive changes and challenges to the
administration and management of municipalities.
Local government reform is an initiative of the Ministry
of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing
and Environment. The Ministry has undertaken this
in an effort to foster efficient service delivery along
principles of good governance, by municipalities or
councils. The main challenge is the sustainability of the
reform initiatives because issues have started to surface.
Since the inception of reforms in 2008, Lautoka City has
experienced changes at all facets of urban management.
Some of the challenges faced by the Council are:
t
The role and responsibilities of special administrators
and chief executive officers are not clearly defined.
The government-appointed special administrators
are also completely in the power of Government and
subjected to public scrutiny, such that complaints
on their performance have also resulted in dismissals
from office. This affects decision-making required
under the Local Government Act.
t
The ongoing improvement in rate collection has,
on one hand, boosted the financial position and
strengths of the Councils. However, the Councils
lack the ability to manage these funds. The current
accounting practices have not been able to track
fraud. Nevertheless, the situation has improved since
the Council started publishing names of defaulters
in newspapers.
t
While the collection of current rates has been
progressive, there are enormous arrears owed to the
Council, resulting in revenue losses.
t
The level of skilled workers or officers in local
government is low, and the Council has made little
effort in providing human resource development and
management, and at institutional strengthening.
t
The inclusion of the western commissioner in the
Council, as Government requires, has triggered a
more integrated approach to growth because the
Commissioner coordinates matters of national
importance or capital projects within the city
environs.
INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
t
The Lautoka City Council is a local government
established under Section 5 of the Local Government
Act (Cap.125). It is responsible for the administration
and management of the city and responsible to the
minister for local government, urban development,
housing, and environment.
t
The special administrator is the Council as per
Local Government Review and Reform (2008).
The Council replaces elected councillors, hence
having all the powers of the Council as stipulated
in the Local Government Act (Cap.125), and that
which the Minister may delegate to the special
administrator.
t
There is little political interference in decision-
making as all powers rest with the special
administrators. Decision-making is driven by
investment and economic interests as the roles
of special administrators are aligned to a terms
of reference drawn up by the Ministry of Local
Government, Urban Development, Housing and
Environment. However, existing capacity may be
affected for certain aspects of urban management
due to lack of professionals to deliver the needed
service.
t
There is potential for public-private partnership
or joint ventures between the Council and other
private companies.
t
There is very little involvement of non-governmental
organizations and civil society in management of
the Council. Rather, they are more directly involved
with the residents and communities within the city.
There is need for coordination as both parties share
the goal of improving the living conditions of the
city’s residents.
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
t
The Lautoka City Council is under the supervision of
the director of local government, under the Ministry
of Local Government, Urban Development,
Housing, and Environment.
t
The Town Planning Act (Cap.139) gives the Council
planning responsibility but there is more emphasis
on the development control aspect of planning than
on strategic physical planning.
t
There is little focus on reviewing the town planning
scheme as the Council first pursues its strategic plan
(2010-2014) and its implementation. The revision
of the Lautoka City Town Planning Scheme (1990)
is long overdue; however there is some mention of
city plans and programmes in the Strategic Plan
(2010-2014).
t
The Lautoka City Strategic Plan (2010-2014)
provides a vision, policies and proposals for the
main city centre, including port and harbour
development.
1111
 PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
t
The special administrator is appointed by the
Government through the Ministry of Local
Government, Urban Development, Housing, and
Environment. Therefore the special administrator
is accountable to the minister, hence the public.
The chief executive officer, and Council staff, are
accountable to the special administrator and the
public.
t
Monitoring is done by the Department of Local
Government as its core function under the Local
Government Act, and by the Strategic Framework
for Change Coordinating Office, the independent
government body that monitors performance of all
Government agencies, statutory organizations and
Government companies.
AGREED PRIORITIES
t
Lautoka City Council to become more
involved in strategic planning.
t
Lautoka City Council to operate under
accrual accounting and budgeting.
t
Introduce a comprehensive training policy
for all staff and undertake capacity-building
and staff development within the Council.
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
t
The community to be more involved in
governance through community meetings
between the Council and residents.
t
More partnership with non-governmental
organizations and more of their participation
in urban issues.
12
12
t
Current community consultations relate to rate
collection and pocket neighbourhood meetings
where the Council disseminates information on
Council services and consults its residents on its
plans and programmes for their input. Residents
and ratepayers are also kept informed via quarterly
Council publications and there is a complaint
register.
t
The lack of coordination between the Council,
non-governmental organizations and civil society
has an impact on programmes as activities tend to
duplicate.
t
The native landowners, while being aware of urban
development and expansion, still release land
without formal arrangements, which affect the
Council’s expansion plans.
RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
t
Expenditure has not been cost-effective in that it
has not given the best return to the community.
The formulated strategic and corporate plans - while
linked to urban, environmental and social planning
- lack implementation plans and strategies as well as
the capacity to deliver.
t
The Council’s efficiency in revenue collection could
be improved by introducing an up-to-date database
that coordinates properties (valuation roll) and rates.
t
There is potential for broad-based stakeholder
partnerships or group investment opportunities but
this has not been adequately exploited.
t
There is no need for a village courts in urban villages
or traditional villages within the city proper as there
is a formal structure already in place. However,
there is need to disseminate information on urban
management, urban development and expansion
in a way that will convince native landowners on
formal processes in land development.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Lautoka City Council has an approved town planning
scheme, allowing the Council to determine development
within its boundaries. However, the limited capacity of
qualified staff within the municipalities in understanding
the operations of town planning schemes result in the
non-utilization of these schemes, scheme reports and
statements [strategies outlined to address urban issues
recognized and documented within the municipality].
There is also a lack of awareness of the existing
planning documents. These factors have resulted in
poor enforcement systems, which have led to illegal
developments and activities, pressure for relaxation of
standards and a compromise to the urban fabric.
INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
t
Lautoka City Council, under Section 18 of the
Town Planning Act (cap.139), has a town planning
scheme which has an approved status, delegating the
powers of the director of town and country planning
to the Council, as consenting authority to land and
building developments.
t
Decision-making on land and building
developments, urban planning and management
is done in partnership with Council’s building,
health and environment and engineering units, in
consultation with the Department of Town and
Country Planning for matters relating to relaxation
and matters of national importance.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
t
The Lautoka City Council is supervised by the
director of local government, under the Ministry of
Local Government, Urban Development, Housing
and Environment.
t
The Town Planning Act (Cap.139) gives the Council
planning responsibility but there is more emphasis
on the development control aspect of planning than
strategic physical planning.
t
There is little focus on reviewing the town planning
scheme as the Council first pursues its strategic plan
(2010-2014). The revision of the Lautoka City Town
Planning Scheme (1990) is long overdue. However,
there is some mention of city plans and programmes
in the Strategic Plan (2010-2014).
PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
t
Proactive approach by the Council on disseminating
information to its residents and stakeholders.
t
The Council has been able to carry out some urban
planning and management functions, particularly
development control, despite lacking adequate
human resources.
t
There are public consultation mechanisms in place
for major or significant developments that allow
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
residents to participate in decision-making.
AGREED PRIORITIES
t
Build capacity on planning, as the Council
does not have a town planning unit. The unit
would have training programmes and a work
study programme at the Department of Town
and Country Planning, and would establish a
Geographical Information System Unit as part
of the planning unit.
t
Council revision of the town planning scheme by
engaging a town planner to carry out this work,
using a participatory approach.
t
Increased awareness and understanding of urban
planning and management in all communities
through an awareness programme, which will
include the indigenous people and landowners
of native land in Lautoka.
1313
 LAND DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
t
The administration of land in Lautoka is carried out
t
All land for development is required to be surveyed
PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - LAND DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
t
All land developments are recorded. Any land
Lautoka covers an extensive area of land comprising
native or customary land, as well as state and freehold
land. The utilization of land for urban development is
directly influenced by infrastructure lines; that is to say
along main access roads and geographical features.
t
All areas proposed for reclamation require prior
There are misunderstandings and misinterpretation of
legal rights to development by customary landowners as
well as poor knowledge of land use processes and laws.
As a result, land use processes are bypassed and land
is released for development without going through the
proper channels.
The level of understanding, knowledge and skills on
land development processes at land developing agencies
(for example the Taukei Lands Trust Board, the Housing
Authority and the Ministry of Lands) is also a factor
in the manner in which land has been developed in
Lautoka. There is a clear indication of a limited number
of professionals and underqualified and inexperienced
personnel recruited by agencies. There is also very
little investment on upscaling, capacity-building
and in establishment of institutional strengthening
mechanisms.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
t
Land development is governed by the Town
Planning Act (Cap.139), the Subdivision of Land
Act (Cap1.40), the Lautoka City Town Planning
Scheme, the Lautoka City Subdivision By-Laws,
1414
the Public Health Act and Building Regulations,
the Environment Management Act (2005), the
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations
(2008), the Native Lands Trust Act, and the Crown
Lands Act.
by landlords (for example private property owners
of freehold land); the State, through the director of
lands; the surveyor general; and the I Taukei Lands
Trust Board for native land.
prior to physical construction. Lautoka City
Council, through its subdivision by-laws, is adamant
that development is allowed only on secured and
serviced lands. The rate of development on land that
has not been surveyed is a challenge. This is a result
of ignorance of land laws or of native landowners
developing their own land laws without planning
permission.
development that is subjected to impacts is required
to provide environment impact assessments
or environment management documents as
determined by the director of environment. The
process of environment impact assessment requires
heavy consultation with all stakeholders, including
residents or would-be affected neighbours.
approval of the environment impact assessments,
which confirms prior consultation with residents
and the Lautoka community, including villages,
settlements and those who may be affected by major
proposals.
AGREED PRIORITIES
t
Getting the message across and awareness on
procedures and processes involved in land
administration.
t
Improved information system in place and which
is easily accessible to the public.
t
Establish Environmental Management Units in
all areas relating to land approving agencies, for
example the Taukei Lands Trust Board and the
Divisional Surveyor Western Office.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC URBAN SERVICES
The slow implementation of the Water and Sewerage
Master Plan for the Western Region (Nadi-Lautoka)
is one of the main contributing factors to slow or
inadequate water supply in Lautoka and other urban
centres in Fiji. The old and poorly maintained water
pipes cannot sustain the demand for water supply. Pipe
bursts and water shortages are frequent.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
t
Land development is governed by the Town
Planning Act (Cap.139), the Subdivision of Land
Act (Cap1.40), the Lautoka City Town Planning
Scheme, the Lautoka City Subdivision By-Laws,
the Public Health Act and Building Regulations,
the Environment Management Act (2005), the
Environment Impact Assessment Regulations
(2008), the Native Lands Trust Act, and the Crown
Lands Act.
t
The administration of land in Lautoka is carried
out by landlords - that is private property owners
of freehold land, the State, via the director of lands
and surveyor general, and the I Taukei Lands Trust
Board for native land.
LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE - INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC URBAN SERVICES
PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
t
All land developments are recorded and any land
development that is subjected to impacts is required
to provide environment impact assessments
or environment management documents as
determined by the director of environment. The
process of environment impact assessment requires
heavy consultation with all stakeholders, including
residents or would-be affected neighbours.
t
All areas proposed for reclamation require prior
approval of the environment impact assessments,
which confirms prior consultation with residents
and the Lautoka community, including villages,
settlements and those that may be affected by major
proposals.
1515
 LAUTOKA URBAN PROFILE

The Lautoka Urban Profiling consists of an accelerated, action-oriented assessment of urban conditions, focusing on priority
needs, capacity gaps, and existing institutional responses at local and national levels. The purpose of the study is to develop
urban poverty reduction policies at local, national, and regional levels, through an assessment of needs and response
mechanisms, and as a contribution to the wider-ranging implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. The study is
based on analysis of existing data and a series of interviews with all relevant urban stakeholders, including local communities
and institutions, civil society, the private sector, development partners, academics, and others. The consultation typically results
in a collective agreement on priorities and their development into proposed capacity-building and other projects that are all
aimed at urban poverty reduction. The urban profiling is being implemented in 30 ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries,
offering an opportunity for comparative regional analysis. Once completed, this series of studies will provide a framework for
central and local authorities and urban actors, as well as donors and external support agencies.

HS Number: HS/076/12E
ISBN Number (Series): 978-92-1-132023-7
ISBN Number (Volume): 978-92-1-132490-7

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME

P.O Box 30030 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-7623120
Fax: +254-20-7623426/7 (Central Office)
infohabitat@unhabitat.org
www.unhabitat.org/publications

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