The Vanuatu Tourism Infrastructure Project (VTIP) is funded by the New Zealand Government and the Vanuatu Government through the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF). The goal of the project is to contribute to a buoyant, resilient tourism sector that provides greater economic returns from the tourism sector for ni-Vanuatu. The project outcome is to increase tourism’s contribution to Vanuatu's Gross Domestic Product through the promotion of sustainable international tourism. The VTIP is part of a broader portfolio of tourism activities supported by New Zealand and aimed at implementing the Vanuatu Strategic Tourism Action Plan 2014-2018 (VSTAP). The Vanuatu Council of Ministers approved the VSTAP in December 2013, which sets out the key tourism development priorities for the tourism sector. The VSTAP is fully aligned with the Vanuatu Trade Policy Framework, the umbrella policy of the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business (MTTCNVB). The VTIP is pursued under the umbrella of the Vanuatu New Zealand Partnership Arrangement (VNZPA) signed by the Vanuatu’s Prime Minister and the New Zealand High Commissioner on the 21 July 2014.
The Project will contribute to achieve:
Short Term
- Better-quality commercial spaces and/or access for small tourism business operators.
- Improved quality of tourist experiences for cruise ship (and other) visitors.
- Functional and safe tourism infrastructure development.
Medium Term
- Increased economic benefits to Vanuatu from improved tourism infrastructure use.
- Increased use and enjoyment of the portside and seafront precincts by ni-Vanuatu and tourists.
- Tourism infrastructure development that has minimal negative impact on the environment and ni-Vanuatu culture.
Long Term
- Broad based economic benefit to the people of Vanuatu from a sustainable tourism sector.
The project involves rehabilitation and development of two public waterfront spaces: Portside Precinct - Main wharf eastern entrance and Seafront Precinct - Chantilly's to the central market.
Project Site 1: Portside Precinct
KEY ELEMENTS:
To be constructed by the Vanuatu Tourism Infrastructure Project (VTIP)
- Relocation of Port gates to provide more room for turning vehicles.
- A new Tourism Building containing tourist information, money exchange, public toilets and staff facilities.
- Landscaping at the port gates to create a more welcoming and attractive entrance for visitors.
- New lighting at Port gates.
- Paved turnaround area at western end of Port for organised tours.
To be constructed by the Port Vila Urban Development Project (PVUDP)
- Defined taxi and bus parking area along wharf road.
- A footpath along coastal edge through to Star Wharf.
- A new shelter for taxi and bus passengers to wait.
- New lighting at Port gates.
Project Site 2: Seafront Precinct
KEY ELEMENTS (Seafront Park):
- Refurbished seawall.
- Coastal promenade from the central Fruit and Vegetable Market through to La Tentation.
- Central pier for pedestrians.
- Sea steps providing easy access down to the water.
- New large and small market buildings to replace existing circular market buildings.
- Two new public toilets - one near Jill's Cafe and one near Nambawan Cafe to replace the existing toilets.
- New seating, picnic tables, electric BBQs, rubbish bins and water fountains
- New tree and shrub planting.
- Upgraded children’s playground.
- Upgraded carpark between Nambawan Cafe and La Tentation.
- Improved lighting throughout the park.
KEY ELEMENTS (Fatumaru Bay Park):
- Rock revetment to improved coastal protection.
- Concrete steps for improved access to the sea.
- New seating, picnic tables and rubbish bins.
- New tree and shrub planting.
- Upgraded children's playground.
- Upgraded carpark opposite Telecom Vanuatu Ltd (TVL) office.
- Improved lighting throughout the park.
KEY ELEMENTS (Coastal Walkway Connection):
- Proposed coastal walkway connection between Seafront Park and Fatumaru Bay Park, provides 1.2km coastal walkway from Chantilly's on the Bay to the central Fruit and Vegetable Market.
- Retain existing footpath behind Anchor Inn, Fung Kuei and La Tentation.
- Remove obstructions to allow public access along coastal edge.
- Improve walkway lighting.
The project concept, preliminary and detail design plans were prepared between 2012 and 2014. A range of consultation activities were undertaken with Government of Vanuatu (GoV), key stakeholders and the public to develop the final design. The detail design plans can be downloaded below:
An open public tender process commenced on 13th March and closed on 8th March 2015. Tenders were received from companies based in Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand. All tenders were assessed by the panel in accordance with the assessment criteria set out in the tender documents, which included quality and value for money attributes, and a recommendation was provided to GoV. A New Zealand company; Hawkins Infrastructure Ltd (Hawkins) was the highest scoring tenderer on the project contracts. Therefore, the Government of Vanuatu awarded all three contract to Hawkins. An instruction was given to Hawkins to commence construction works on 14th September 2015. Gov have obtained all necessary approvals and are in the process of negotiating land ownership agreements.
An official project launching ceremony was held on the 28th August 2015 at the Seafront stage and contract documents signed. Hawkins have prepared the required health and safety, quality and environmental management plans. Staging plans have been prepared indicating the areas of the park that will be closed temporarily to allow construction works to be carried out. A stakeholder meeting was held on Thursday 29th October to present the staging plans and obtain stakeholder feedback. Constructions works on site will commence soon and site fencing will be erected around the working areas for public safety.
Hawkins are achieving continued progress with the Port Vila beautification project and have released their revised staging plans for three separate sections of the works. For the main Seafront area, here is an overview of how they propose to progress and this is the revised staging plan for that section of the works. You can also find here the Portside works staging plan, while here is the Fatumaru works overview. The staging plan is here.
The following PDF of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provides answers to queries you may have regarding the project.
