Fijileaks
  • Home
  • Archive Home
  • In-depth Analysis
    • BOI Report into George Speight and others beatings
  • Documents
  • Opinion
  • CRC Submissions
  • Features
  • Archive

BLUNT TALK FROM SHIRLEY PARK PROTESTORS: Why can't Meghjis build their hotel opposite their liquor and eatery and bar - the LOUNGE

11/2/2015

29 Comments

 

Shirley Park hearing set for 12 February and fireworks fly from objectors!

Picture
Picture
Picture
LANDING IN STYLE: For many children, a helicopter ride is only a dream. "Ordinary man and woman on a minimum wage who can't afford the luxury of a day at the beach or a night at a fancy hotel who value Shirley Park, they come with their friends and family, their children for relaxation, for picnics and simple recreation"
FROM ONE OF THE PETITIONERS (Denise Gibson):

Why we should save Shirley Park- additional comments to my petition on behalf of the 520

When it comes to recreation and the value of the Shirley Park location to the sea, its central location in the city center and what it means to a healthy lifestyle to the people of Lautoka, the Minister for Local Government, the Attorney General, P Meghji and the Director of Town and Country Planning should know that for those that use the park, the market vendors on time off, students from the university and other institutions in the city and the ordinary man and woman on a minimum wage who can't afford the luxury of a day at the beach or a night at a fancy hotel who value Shirley Park, they come with their friends and family, their children for relaxation, for picnics and simple recreation. 

To give one third of an already small park to construction, will take away the meaning and essence of Shirley Park as its stood for decades, it will increase congestion with what  is left of it after the hotel is built  and decrease  privacy for those using it with a narrow strip of green space left to one side

Building along the foreshore area of the park will block out and take away through- flow of fresh air into the park and into the city center.

There is the likelihood of increasing the  temperature in the city center, as this is the only wide open break surrounding concrete and stone in an area of high population density ( on any working day).

Regarding the proximity and location of Shirley Park to so many in the city, Churchill park is now one fifth if not more smaller now  because of the Tappoo construction and there's been the removal of trees and space which leaves that park with hardly any shade . It has no view to speak of being surrounded by built up areas, a stadium and shops.

The Botanical Garden is too far for workers during a lunch break, there is no comparison for proximity to their work places, walking there takes 10-15 minutes each way which defeats the purpose of their down time.

I have sat with people in the park when gathering signatures for my petition so all comments are a fact of discussions with those there in various areas in the city.

The sentiment of historical significance and memories for the older folks is also significant.

Why don’t the Government and Mr. Meghji look at the benefits of building this hotel in a like area that has similar vantage?

 Rezone and build in the open space across the road and opposite the P Meghji owned liquor Shop and eatery and bar, the 'Lounge' in Lautoka. 

This open space across the road is on an incline, there are views of the ocean and waterfront, proximity for their intended guests to the city and will give their own businesses in food and drink a boost.

Two things can be accomplished here, Money, business and much needed employment to Lautoka city and a happier community still having Shirley Park as it stands in size and presence to go to, with responsible government and business decision making taken into account.

A responsibly planned cityscape with balance to green space given to the needs of the community. Build and bring employment and business to Lautoka, but NOT in our parks. There are potential areas elsewhere, the question is has   government made a concerted effort to look elsewhere or is it always for big business and those with money to have the best areas of the city at cost to the ordinary citizen.

Shirley Park has always and, still does, serve a wide cross section of the Community. Ranging from the very young to the elderly, and, for a broad spectrum of events from religious to educational.  For example a venue for pre-school open days.

.   Health awareness programs and activities for example, the Color Explosion Event – Walk for Wellness, which has now been declared exclusive to Lautoka by the organizers. The Red Cross Open Day is also held here.

.   Provides a venue for Women’s groups to carry out, and, display their art and craft.

.   Plays host to Arbor Week, where there is a varying display of Fiji’s diverse Flora.  The public are able to move freely among the booths enjoying the cool sea breeze.

.   This year will see a number of Cruise Liners stopping in at Port Lautoka as part of their travel itinerary.  At present these visitors can be seen sitting and enjoying the park, as a brief and welcome interlude, from the heat of the city.  They are also seen mingling and chatting with the locals picnicking in the park, and, stall vendors.  Several have also been approached on their views on the proposed construction, and, have all expressed their dismay at the thought of this Park being lost to commercialism.

.   Even if a portion of the Park is utilized for the proposed construction of a Hotel, it would give rise to issues of noise control, and, restrict the freedom of movement of those who participate in the above events at those specific times, and, of the public in general at other times.

In conclusion we would like to therefore re-iterate the value of our Shirley Park to the citizens of Lautoka. Urban dwellers the world over fight tooth and nail to keep the green places in their cities.  Let us therefore pose a question:

WHAT WOULD NEW YORKERS OR, SUVA RESIDENTS SAY IF THERE WAS A HOTEL CONSTRUCTED IN THE MIDDLE OF CENTRAL PARK, OR, ALONG THE SEA FRONT END OF SUKUNA PARK?

DATED:  11th FEBRUARY, 2015

Picture
Picture
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Ritam Investments director Romit Meghji at Denarau, Nadi in Febraury 2013; From Fiji Times: "THE first locally-owned five star resort will be built on Tokoriki Island in the Mamanuca Group. Ritam Investments, the owners of Lautoka-based P Meghji, yesterday announced it would spend up to $35million on the makeover of the existing property, which would be managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide when completed. The revamped resort will be called Sheraton Fiji Resort and Spa, Tokoriki Island and will be the international chain's fourth Fiji property."
29 Comments
Yep
11/2/2015 01:30:10 pm

All ye good public spirited people of Lautoka who have the aesthetic beauty of Lautoka at heart keep up the good fight to save Shirley Park from the greed of big business and political scoundrels who have no qualms about the degradation of a much loved public asset.

Reply
Read the Judgement
11/2/2015 02:27:29 pm

The State was taken to task for converting green reserve to residential development.

The State ofcourse lost... the than minister Ragagia was sacked.

The residents were represented by John Apted of. Munro & Leys.

DTCP and Minister take heed or face the music.

Reply
Conversation of Open Spaces
11/2/2015 11:48:57 pm

The unqualified minister of local government should read the Judgement pertaining to conversion of open green reserve at muanikau rd suva, close to PM's residence.

Heed the advice of qualified Planners at DTCP or face jail term once you lose office.

Reply
Chors Rule...
12/2/2015 12:29:58 am

Court Kercheri is expensive mamla..na?

Why can't the lawyer that khaiyum is realize that his corruption, here, this time, is very, very wrong. That will save a lot of time energy and hassles for everyone.

Also can we trust the courts ? There is also a judgment somewhere which say no one can abrogate the 1997 Constitution..na?

Who listens or reads all these old cases in 'new' Fiji ?

Reply
And
11/2/2015 03:47:09 pm

Blunt talk by the Shirley Park protesters is good. A civil disobedience campaign to counter any attempt to proceed with the "re-zoning" and the construction of the hotel on the park would be better to bring home to the authorities the public's intense disapproval.
What can the authorities do - order a colonial style laati charge?

Reply
Terry Hulme
13/2/2015 01:34:32 am

All these points regarding why Shirley Park should continue as is are unnecessary. The only point that matters is that Shirley Park is public space and should not be given/sold/parlayed or otherwise disposed off. FULL STOP.

Reply
So
11/2/2015 04:06:53 pm

It is so good to see some Kailomas come out to protest. For a while t thought every Kailoma and his kuli was in full support of the coup maker cum prime minister Frank Bainimarama and all that he was doing to build a "new" and "better".
It's indeed good to know the herd mentality did not overtake the Kailoma community in Fiji.

Reply
Example of Kaisi / Corrupt politicians
11/2/2015 11:23:26 pm

Shelly Park is a classic, pointable, example of acute Corruption.

It is CORRUPTION glaring so brightly on our faces - we need sunglasses. There, we can say and point to it - There, that's Corruption!

When big businesses buy out 'kaisi' politicians by giving them 'donations' and the unscrupulous, shameless 'kaisi' politician then 'GIFTS' what is a public property to the big business is exactly what is Corruption.

And that is exactly what defines politician(s) who are 'kaisi' - Big time -What else?

Reply
Sarcoptus
11/2/2015 11:44:42 pm

When was this piece of land advertised as being available?
By what process was it given to Meghjis?
who were the other tenderers? If any.
its strange that Tapoos got theirs and Meghjis got theirs while the council was under the stewardship of Praveen K Bala, who then gets aFFP ticket, wins election and becomes minister responsible for this debacle and decidedly shameful episode.

Reply
Anit Singh
11/2/2015 11:52:02 pm

Thank You Denise Gibson, Thank you Maude and Thank you to all the committed People of Lautoka.

Do whatever it takes - but please save our Shelly Park for us.

If it helps I am registering my 'strongest possible protest' via Fijileaks, here, against the permanent alienation of our Shelly Park from us.

For Lautoka - Always.

Reply
jml
12/2/2015 03:00:39 am

Anit, you are" registering strongest possible protest by Fijileaks". You think the thugs will listen? Why not join Maude and Denise and if the thugs still have their way then see if you can organise a "civil disobedience" as some has suggested.

Reply
Anit Singh
12/2/2015 04:14:54 am

Jml, I wish… and I would do as you say.

Unfortunately, some 10,000 miles (if not more) separates me from Shelly Park, presently. But my heart and good wishes are with the protestors. I grew up in Lautoka and I love our Shelly Park and I sincerely wish it to be left undisturbed. Thanks!

Elsewhere Plse!
11/2/2015 11:56:11 pm

Meghji - built your fancy hotel elsewhere please.

99.9% of Lautoka residents would not be able to afford enjoy your eatry and bar - anyway!

Reply
Too Much Corruption !
11/2/2015 11:59:16 pm

How much corruption is too much corruption ?

Khaiyum please keep your corruption in Suva. Don't bring corruption to Shelly Park - Please.

Reply
Sa Sivia Na Butako
12/2/2015 03:04:11 am

Suva people dont want any corruption either !!

Reply
Clinton Pickering
12/2/2015 06:46:30 pm

might have to look @ Lautoka City Council becos they are all linked...

Reply
Why Choose Park for Hotel?
12/2/2015 12:01:47 am

If Hotel development is so essential, why not they buy a cane farm and rezone that for Hotel instead?

Why they want to poke their finger in the publicly owned asset?

Reply
kaisi rogue politicians
12/2/2015 12:04:21 am

Find a Magistrate for the drunk driver, pedestrian killer, Praveen Bala First. Talk on Shelly Park later.

Our politicians have gone totally 'kaisi' rogue and corrupt and chors and shamelessly filling their own pockets only.

Reply
Go Naisoso
12/2/2015 12:06:47 am

Meghji can make his eatry and bar in Naisoso Island, where Khaiyum owns ample land.

Leave our Shelly Park alone !

Reply
Bad Example
12/2/2015 12:16:23 am

If Shelly Park is gone due to corruption of Khaiyum / Bala / Meghji then there is no hope of our many public parks and public spaces around Fiji.

Shelly Park is an important step against Corruption!

Reply
Morning Prayer
12/2/2015 12:33:55 am

Please All Mighty save our Shelly Park. Amen!

Reply
Joejoe
12/2/2015 05:26:12 am

We have forgotten Churchill Park. Best part of the "entrance precincts" to this Venue has also been given away! How and why?

Reply
Go Lautoka
12/2/2015 11:31:12 am

Come on Maude! Show them how the Lautoka people can protest. They have done corrupting Suva now they want to come and corrupt . Just leave us our green open spaces alone.

Reply
Koya - Speak up!
13/2/2015 01:45:08 pm

Koya - born and bred Lautoka Man - Why ? and just Why are YOU of All the people from FijiFirst not objecting to the Shelly Park Sale - Just tell us Why ?

Just to remind you - Your father SM Koya together with late Lautoka Mayor Wilfred Sukrim are responsible for planting most of the sirsa trees that Meghji will destroy for his fancy hotel.

Go ahead and destroy the good work of your father.

Reply
Yep
13/2/2015 10:29:01 pm

This Koya fala is NOT about speaking up for the Lautoka community or any community. Why do you think he joined the Fiji First Theft Party? He is there to feather his own nest, the man's never done the hard yards for the community. Don't count on him to " speak up"!
It won't happen!

Reply
Epeli
13/2/2015 08:38:41 pm

Latest on the ground is the initial tender was awarded to mehgis but now he has got nitin ghandi (pwc partner) and Brendon (beachcomber) group as equity partners. Questions. How can 2 new equity partners be included when the tender was given to mehgis.

Reply
Welcome Home
14/2/2015 03:15:39 am

Latest alleged equity partners hardly known for 'pro bono publico' gestures. Should set alarm bells ringing. Shirley Park defenders must redouble efforts. Crime-free Days have successfully used Shirley Park in the past. What plans have these entrepreneurs for similar events?

Reply
Epeli
14/2/2015 12:17:50 pm

My park....my freedom....my Lautoka. No to corruption. .....We are trying to fight corruption but the government just continues to support corruption. .
kai yum keep your shit in Suva.

Reply
Peter link
5/1/2016 12:14:53 am

JUST GET READY AND VOTE THESE BASTARDS OUT COME NEXT ELECTION IN 2018! FIJI IS POISONED WITH CORRUPTION BROUGHT IN BY THIS LYING AND CORRUPT GOVERNMENT! FICAC, BE A MAN AND DO YOUR JOB!!!!!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    editor@fijileaks.com

    ARCHIVES

    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    Picture
    Picture