Gov’t takes action to address encroachments along Mataniko river

By Alfred Pagepitu

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, is taking action to address the encroachments along the Mataniko river.

 Minister Polycarp Paea told parliament that the government is taking firm action against the developers.

“All prescribed developments, including the construction of retention walls, are required to submit a Public Environment Report and Environmental Management Plan.

“My Ministry will continue to ensure that developments along the Mataniko River comply with the requirements under Section 17 of the Environment Act on impact assessment and mitigation,” he said.

 Paea noted that some businesses have constructed retention walls to protect their properties after the severe flooding in 2014.

He highlighted the need for cross-agency collaboration: 

“It is important that we work with the Ministry of Lands, the Honiara City Council, and the Ministry of Mines and Energy to ensure all developments are within regulated boundaries.

 “The Honiara Local Planning Scheme 2025 outlines land use and development controls. Its effective implementation is essential, especially for sensitive areas like the Mataniko River,” he said.

 The Town and Country Planning Board will apply the same controls to other rivers in the city, including the Lunga River.

 Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition Hon. Mathew Wale also raised concern that both environmental and land laws are being breached and questioned the role of land surveyors in facilitating illegal developments.

 “This ought to be illegal from an environmental standpoint, but it ought also to be illegal from a land perspective.

“But this is being facilitated by our surveyors. They have no attitude or behavior,” Wale said.

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