1st December 2020: Today, the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Hon. Premila Kumar released the Building Approval Statistics for the month of October 2020.
“I am pleased to announce that in the month of October, the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) approved a total of ten Major Building applications valued at $82.6 million dollars,” said Minister Kumar. Of this $22.2 million represent approvals granted for Commercial Developments, while $60.4 million accounted for building approvals that were granted for Special Use projects which includes a Business Park and service station.”
“The figure for Major Building applications approved in September 2020 was $48.1million. Therefore we have an increase of $38.1million dollars of investment in October 2020,” said Minister Kumar.
The Minister also announced that in the month of October, DTCP received 73 new Subdivision applications across the three divisions, and of these 67 new subdivision applications were approved. For Rezoning, 34 rezoning applications were received by DTCP and 18 were cleared.
Hon. Kumar added that the Ministry hoped to see applications for construction approvals relating to the proposed developments for these sites.
“The importance of working together to ensure that our economy is not held up by slow approval processing must be everyone’s objective and I am pleased that the Department of Town and Country planning is focused on this goal.”
“With the faster turnaround times at DTCP in Suva, construction projects are not being unduly delayed. We are thus able to support the construction industry and its important work providing employment opportunities at this time. Furthermore, once completed these developments will contribute to the Fijian economy through their commercial activities,” said Minister Kumar.
The ten Major Building applications approved included the following:
1. Lyndhurst Pte Limited: Proposal for a Business Park & Outline Development Master Plan on Lots 2-7 DP 8172 & Lots 2 & 4 DP 7381 Kalabu Nasinu worth $20 million.
2. New World PTE Limited: Proposal for a Storage and Distribution Centre on Lot 1 SO 2170 Wairebetia Road, Lautoka worth $10 million dollars.
3. Charan Katonivere Holdings Limited: Proposal for Commercial Complex on Lot 2 DP 7837 & Lot 16B Nakasi worth $8 million dollars.
Mr. Alipate Tavai from Lyndhurst Group of Companies and Mr. Peter Royce from the New World Group of companies spoke about their experience with Town and Country Planning’s approval process and how their investments will contribute to economic recovery.
Major Outline Building applications are those worth more than $1million or proposals with more than two storeys. All major developers are encouraged to meet early with TCP staff at a pre-lodgement meeting so that they are fully aware of the requirements for their particular development. The Department of Town and Country Planning is ready to walk through the process with all developers and where necessary, bring to the table those referral agencies whose advice is needed in a timely manner.
-End-