| Location: | About 4 km from and north of Nausori (before the village of Verata) on the right side of the road to Korovou. Nearest point to the main road is about 300 – 400 m. |
| Owned by: | The government, but presently leased to private farmers. |
| Accessibility: | From the Nausori - Korovou main road suitable for 4-wheel drive vehicles (300 – 400 m). |
| Electrical energy available: | At the nearby MAAF service station. |
| Size of total land area: | Approx. 700 hectares. |
| Size of utilisable site area: | Assuming that the new research centre would occupy the area of maximum 20 ha, no limiting factor exists. |
| Water source: | From River Rewa. |
| Water quality: | Surface runoff water in river, visible high sediment content, tidal effect may result in occasional brackish water. |
| De-silting of water would be a continuous task. | |
| All standard water quality data to be checked prior to final decision. | |
| Method of possible water supply to site: | Pumping from River Rewa, possibly through pipe to the site. De-silting on site before lifting water to reservoir. |
| Method of possible drainage of site: | By gravity into existing drainage canal. Drainage canals seem to be deep enough, but observation is only at the close vicinity of MAAF station. They should be checked at further distances. |
| Present condition of site and recommendation for preparation: | Abandoned rice paddies for the last five years. Covered with grass, occasionally small size bushes. |
| Existing supply (irrigation) and drainage canals filled with grass and bushes. Extensive site clearance is required. | |
| Water regulation structures require checking closely. Concrete structures may be used, but closing devices must be replaced. | |
| Availability of site maps or other site survey: | Land maps are available at Land and Water Resources Management Department, MAAF. |
| Soil conditions: | Good water retention capacity reported. |
| Any other observation: | Seems to have a good potential for establishment of an aquaculture station, but the need for continuous pumping of water is a major problem. |
| Location: | About 1,5 km from the Suva - Navua main road, on the right side (north) at the foot of valley closing hills, in the neighbourhood of existing Viticorp fish farm. |
| Owned by: | Viticorp (state owned firm) |
| Accessibility: | On secondary road to Viticorp farm (1 km) and on dike (700 m). |
| Electrical energy available: | Transmission line ends at Viticorp fish farm. |
| Size of total land area: | Practically unlimited. Total initial size of land assessed is about 40 ha. |
| Size of utilisable site area: | All site. no existing facilities within site to limit development. |
| Water source: | Irrigation reservoir with 3 million cu.m exists at a distance of about 500 m, operated by Irrigation Department, MAAF. Designed for supply of about 400 ha and for two crops annually, but far beyond utilisation. |
| Water quality: | Surface run-off (rain) water from undisturbed catchment. |
| Standard water quality measurements prior to final design. | |
| Method of possible water supply to site: | By gravity. |
| Method of possible drainage of site: | Gravity drainage to river. |
| Present condition of site and recommendation for preparation: | Flat, covered with uncontrolled vegetation. A small number of fig trees are on site, which should be kept in layout design. Designer has “free hand” in layout arrangements. |
| Availability of site maps or other site survey: | Detailed site map available at Land and Water Resources Management Department. |
| Soil conditions: | Red clay, good for pond construction. |
| Classification for crop production: Fair arable land with moderate limitations. Poorly drained flats with deep, moderately infertile Navua clay. Proper deep drainage and regular maintenance required for improvement. | |
| Any other observation: | Partly elevated paddy ponds may be constructed /operational water level about or above present ground level./with careful balance of excavation and dike filling. |
| Nearby Viticorp fish farm has its own hatchery producing fish seed (tilapia) for on-site grow out. Production is reported to be 1 million fry annually with almost 100% (?) survival rate. |
| Location: | Adjoining two lots approx. 20 km from Savusavu on the main road to Saivou (Labasa) on the left side. | ||||
| Owned by: | Free hold. Private farmers wishing to sell. | ||||
| Accessibility: | On main road. | ||||
| Electrical energy available: | Along the main road. | ||||
| Size of total land area: | Lot no. 14: | 7.9 | acres | = | 3.2 ha |
| Lot no. 12: | 8.0 | acres | = | 3.2 ha | |
| Total: | 15.9 | acres | = | 6.4 ha | |
| Size of utilisable site area: | 6,4 ha flat surface with occasional small /negligible size/ drains. | ||||
| Water source: | Nearby creeks. Right side of main road is steep, basically rocky. Two creeks are just opposite to the side. | ||||
• Creek A arrives through a waterfall of about 7 –9 m. Upper section seems to be suitable for installing a closing structure to obtain water from the bay. Estimated water discharge at visit (22. Jan 98, following the first heavy rainy day after weeks of dry weather) was about 15 – 20 l/s. According to nearby resident (owner of Lot no. 12) the discharge does not significantly reduce in dry season. | |||||
| Distance from main road is about 40 m. | |||||
• Creek B also arrives through a waterfall of about 10 m. Over the fall a weir blocks the flow to a width of 4 m such creating an upstream reservoir. Three pipes tap the reservoir, each 3" of diameter providing drinking water to villagers. Estimated overflow discharge at visit 30 – 40 l/s. According to resident, there is a continuous overflow throughout the year. Distance from main road is about 70 m, through private garden. | |||||
| Size of catchment is not known/not measured so far. | |||||
| Creek B is a candidate for further consideration. Survey of reservoir size and storage capacity, and checking discharge for one year to determine minimum in dry season prior to initiating detailed design. | |||||
| Water quality: | Clean, no visible human originating pollution. Both creeks reported to originate from springs on undisturbed natural land, flowing through forest. Dissolved chemical content is unknown. | ||||
| To be checked for pH and other standard properties. | |||||
| Method of possible water supply to site: | If reservoir is large enough, water may be secured from there by gravity. | ||||
| Crossing main road is to be considered. | |||||
| Method of possible drainage of site: | Needs additional investigation. | ||||
| Present condition of site and recommendation for preparation: | Poorly managed plantation on site. 0.5 tree/10 sq.m is estimated. In addition about 50% of site is covered with bushes. Considerable site clearing is required. Elevated paddy ponds may be constructed with careful balance of excavation and dike filling. | ||||
| Availability of site maps or other site survey: | Certificate of Ownership displaying site layout is only available. | ||||
| Soil conditions: | Good water retention /clay/. | ||||
| Any other observation: | Reports of owner about water availability in dry season must be verified. The two lots form the shape of a “T”. The site is very limited in area. Although site area is large enough for initial establishment10, future expansion is limited. If neighbouring land is not secured, its price will increase if operation is successful. | ||||
| Requested price of Lot 14 (along the main road) is F$55,000 and that of Lot 12 is F$50,000. | |||||
10 At the time of visit the required area of land for relocation of NRS was not known.
