As part of the Greater Port Vila Urban Resilience Project, a promising new initiative-the Nature-Based Coastal Protection Pilot Project - has been proposed for Fatumaru Bay. The project represents a significant step forward in addressing coastal vulnerability through environmentally sustainable solutions.
The internal review draft of the Vanuatu National Building Code 2025 (VNBC) is currently being reviewed by representatives from the Shefa Provincial Government, the Port Vila City Council, and the Urban Planning Unit.
The Urban Planning Unit carried out a site inspection today at the newly established evacuation centers located in Korman, Seaside, and Freshwota. These centers, officially launched on 6th September 2024 by the Honorable Minister Andrew Napuat, are key projects aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and ensuring community safety during emergencies.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs successfully held a one-day refresher workshop on Comprehensive Legislative Policy Development on March 19th, 2025. The training was facilitated by the Parliamentary Counsel's Unit under the Officer of the Attorney General (OAG) and brough together key leaders and technical officers across the Ministry.
The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) is implementing the Foreshore Development Act (FDA) throughout the country.
This Act is to guide developments in different coastal areas, ports and harbors within the country.
The Foreshore Unit under DUAP is responsible of the management and control of developments in coastal areas guided by the Foreshore Development Act (Cap90).
Senior Foreshore Development Officer, Robinson Dickson says due to long fast developments happening around the country it is imperative for promptly inspection for every developer to adhere to the Act.
Mr. Dickson says that foreshore means the land below mean high water and the bed of the sea within the territorial water of Vanuatu (including the ports and harbors thereof) and includes land below mean high water mark in any lagoon having direct access to the open sea.
“Therefore, the lease holder is not entitled to the foreshore land and High-Water Mark because it belongs to the custom owner, and for any development to ensure custom owner must consent”, he said.
It has come to the attention to the Foreshore Unit that many developers ignore the landowner and not have a Foreshore permit and it’s a breach of the Foreshore Development Act.
He encourages all developers throughout Vanuatu to come forward and apply for foreshore permit at the DUAP office located at the Ministry of Internal Affairs or can visit our website on https://duap.gov.vu
Forms can be collected also at DUAP office or Area Councils, and the application fee is 20,000vt at the finance department checklist required followed by a site visit, foreshore advisory committee for due diligence screening process by the Foreshore Advisory Committee (FAC) pending minister’s approval for permit.
Any breach of the Act will be an offence if he/she does not have the permit or do not comply with conditions and can be fined up to 5,000,000VT, or 5 years imprisonment.