Fiji Times, 26th April – STAGE one of a major integrated resort development is in progress with 174 residential lots are already sold.
The integrated resort development — Denarau Waters — is being built on the undeveloped southern half of Denarau Island in Nadi. A statement from the developers said every lot was a minimum of a thousand square metres and were in precincts that were secured and gated with manned access services.
It said stage one also included 40 commercial lots, about half of which had been sold and five hotel resort sites.
According to the developer the first resort is planned to start construction in May this year and is right on the beach with a lagoon on one other boundary. The first precinct, Heron’s Reach is expected to be ready for settlement with the individual titles in May and building can commence immediately.
In keeping with the world standards set for the development an international designer and landscaper was consulted to assist with the fencing, precinct entry gates, common area landscaping and service structures. Now almost complete and ready to be handed over to the individual owners, Stage One of Denarau Waters is a significant addition to the Fiji tourism infrastructure and makes Denarau the largest tourism hub in the South Pacific.
Philip Toogood of Bayleys Real Estate said: “We have been watching the progress of the development since the start and are impressed with the standard that has been built into the project.
“This is a world-class property and I have committed to buying a lot where I will live”.
The statement said with the potential for 10 resort hotel sites and a number of apartments on commercial sites the development will also add much needed room capacity to the market and the quality of the development will ensure that Fiji’s reputation as a leading tourism destination is maintained.
Project history The land was basically mangrove forest, low lying with several creeks.
It has a shared boundary to the north with the developed Denarau and it is an area that held huge potential but that would need a great deal of commitment to see that potential realised.
The statement said in 2014 a developer started the task of creating the huge development that was to become Denarau Waters and first broke ground in March 2015 after extensive work in obtaining all the required approvals including the Environmental Impact Study, Town and Country, Nadi Rural Authority, Fiji Roads Authority and many others.
It said the planning was for a world-class integrated resort that complemented the existing Denarau facilities and added to the range of options available to the tourist and it was also deemed important that the design was sympathetic to the Fiji environment and would ensure that whatever was done would add to the appeal of Fiji as a holiday destination in international source markets.
The decision was taken that the development would be carried out in stages because the sheer size of the project could not be successfully undertaken all at one time because of financial and resource issues.
Physical work on the site started in March 2015 and has been proceeding constantly since.
