Denarau Corporation Limited (DCL) insists that it doesn’t oppose the proposed extension of Nadi’s town boundaries and plans to declare the tourist town as a City next year.
This follows an article published in The Fiji Times on September 26 that claimed opposition from the community of Denarau Island, the South Pacific’s largest integrated island resort.
DCL said that since the first meeting with the Local Government Committee in November last year, there had been consultation, but no clear or definitive outcome of the proposed town boundary extension presented to Denarau Island in order that DCL raise an objection against, other than Nadi Town gaining City status.
“As the body corporate, and pseudo council for Denarau Island, the DCL Board of Directors presented its submissions on behalf of the Denarau Island community seeking further clarity and reasons for including Denarau Island, Fiji’s proposed first fully Integrated Resort Development,” noted a statement authorized by DCL acting chairman, Pramesh Sharma.
Alongside various stakeholders, DCL recently met with the Local Government Committee, followed by a joint inspection of Denarau Island in order to provide the committee with an appreciation of the Denarau Island standard of service and the expectations of the Denarau Island community, it added.
“We have had further discussions on how Denarau Island and Nadi City can both benefit from the inevitable growth of the region whether Denarau Island is part of Nadi City or not.”
Local Government and Housing Minister, Parveen Kumar recently told members of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce & Industry that there had been objections to Nadi’s declaration as a City from the community of Denarau, which is part of the proposed extension.
He declined to elaborate on details, as a Bill will be tabled in Parliament for debate. Parliament is presently sitting in Suva this week.