Vanuatu Review of National Land Legislation, Policy and ... - AusAID

Attachment 76.4. Overlap and Duplication of ResponsibilitiesA number of units within different agencies would appear to have adopted verysimilar responsibilities and undertake similar activities. For example localgovernment would appear to be undertaking similar roles in some areas to theMinistry of Lands and Natural Resources in areas such as dispute settlement,control of land activities through public awareness and to promote transparency inrelation to land leases. However it is noticeable that there is a general lack ofmention of enforcement. As a result of an overlap of responsibilities it would appearthat local government is failing to address the land management issues that shouldbe their responsibility, such as zoning plans, development controls and managingorderly development.6.5. Physical Planning and Zoning IssuesLimited capacity, reduced staffing, outdated legislation and limited enforcementpowers in both provincial government and the Physical Planning Unit has resulted inmany developments being undertaken in Vanuatu, especially on Efate, which haveno planning controls, are impacting on customary activities and impacting on theenvironment. It was noted during the National Land Summit that failure to addressphysical planning issues is one of the causes for the deterioration of sustainableland management in Vanuatu. There is an urgent need for a number of activitiesassociated with physical planning to be addressed, and these include: Review of the zoning for Port Vila and Luganville, new zoning maps to beproduced and provided legal support; All legislation associated with physical planning, including the PhysicalPlanning Act and the Foreshore Development Act to be reviewed; More active participation of local government and the Physical PlanningUnit in the approval process for leases and subdivisions; Clarification of roles and responsibilities for planning activities; Increased staff numbers and improved enforcement powers.Capacity building for urban planning and management needs to take place atcentral government and municipality/provincial government. Roles and responsibilities of the Physical Planning Unit andmunicipalities/provincial government need to be reviewed and revised toavoid duplication and delegation of inappropriate responsibilities. Internal organisation of the Physical Planning Unit andmunicipalities/provinces and their internal relationships needs to bereviewed and revised.Staff of the Physical Planning Unit and municipalities/provinces involvedin urban planning activities need to receive appropriate training.