The Ministry of Lands has started work on preparing a national subdivision policy. The work, funded by the Japanese Government through their Project and Human Resource Development (PHRD) Fund and undertaken by consultant Steven Tahi, is to:
1. Consult with relevant Ministries and Departments to collect and collate all existing policy directions and resources relevant to land subdivision and to consult on the respective requirements for the Policy;
2. Consult with relevant stakeholders in the private and non-government sector to collect and collate all existing policy directions and resources relevant to land subdivision and to consult on the respective requirements for the Policy;
3. In consultation with all stakeholders develop, identify the parameters for land subdivision taking into consideration climate and disaster risk information available through PCRAFI, LiDAR survey and if possible risk data available through Component 1 of the project.
4. Develop the process and requirements for application for a subdivision that have to be complied with prior to an approval and ongoing requirements that a subdivision has to maintain or meet once approved.
5. Work with an advisory committee to draft the Policy;
6. Submit a draft Policy, as approved by the advisory committee, for the consideration of the Development Committee of Officials and Council of Ministers.
7. Provide any other technical assistance as may be requested by DoL, DLA and VMGD.
The advisory committee to the consultant are:
1. Shefa Provincial Planner (Owen Sisi)
2. Ministry of Public Utilities (John Rogara)
3. Physical Planning Unit (Jeffrey Kaitip)
4. Environment Department (Reedley Tari)
5. Port Vila Municipality Planner (William Frank)
6. Survey Section, Lands (Martin Sokomanu)
7. Acting PLO, Lands (Jay Hinge)
8. Senior Lands Officer, Lands (Darren Fatu)
Subdivision is now becoming one of the main ways in which leases are created in Vanuatu. This Policy aims to set rules and guidelines to improve the way subdivisions are developed for the benefit of all stakeholders.