08/08/2025
The recent Building Compliance Training attended by representatives from Nasinu Town Council, Lami Town Council, Suva City Council, Nausori Town Council, Luganville, and Port Vila City Council has successfully concluded after three impactful days of learning and collaboration. This regional initiative focused on strengthening building compliance practices, particularly around the structural elements of buildings—from the vetting of plans to on-site construction and the overall compliance process.
Participants gained valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding of current building codes, compliance requirements, and legal standards, equipping them to better oversee construction projects. A key outcome of the training was the improvement in risk management capabilities. The team learned how to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks, significantly reducing the likelihood of unsafe buildings. They also enhanced their ability to verify compliance with approved plans, ensuring that construction aligns with regulatory expectations.
Another major takeaway was the emphasis on better collaboration within compliance teams. This will enable faster processing of applications and foster more cohesive enforcement practices. Additionally, the training highlighted the importance of providing clear and comprehensive building checklists to ensure that all requirements are properly itemized and understood by stakeholders.
The training concluded with a powerful reminder from Mr. Felix Magnus, Chairman of Nasinu Town Council, who stated, “Integrity is the foundation of our work. With integrity, we can build a safe and sound home in Fiji.” His words captured the spirit of the training and the shared commitment to building safer communities.
A heartfelt vinaka vakalevu to Pacific TA and our dedicated facilitators—Mrs Frances Sullivan, Andre Winkelman (Principal Advisor Building Consents, Christchurch City Council), and Jitendra Bothara (Structural Engineer, Respiro Consulting)—for their invaluable guidance, expertise, and unwavering commitment throughout the training. Their contributions have empowered our teams to raise the bar for building safety and compliance across the Pacific.
Together, we are building not just structures, but a stronger, safer future for our communities.