Six-week land use survey wraps up in Wewak

A six-week Land Use Survey covering Wewak and Yawasoro townships in East Sepik has concluded, setting the foundation for future township planning and zoning across the province.

The exercise was jointly conducted by technical officers from the East Sepik Provincial Administration and the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, supported by the Wewak District Development Authority.

Fieldwork commenced in August following stakeholder consultations with the Wewak Urban local-level government [LLG], ward representatives, utility providers, state agencies, businesses, churches, and traditional landowners.

Caretaker provincial administrator Alphonse Ralph Kami said the survey collected vital geo-spatial information on current land use, human settlement, and socio-economic activities to guide future urban growth.

The survey team completed mapping within the gazetted township boundaries of Wewak and Yawasoro before concluding its field operations on Tuesday.

Acting deputy provincial administrator for economic services John Aimos said the exercise is a critical first step towards establishing master zoning plans for both centers.

“Once the Wewak and Yawasoro master zoning plans are launched, we will roll out phases two to eight targeting other district townships such as Angoram, the new Middle Sepik township, Ambunti, Drekikier, Maprik, and Yambi, along with 26 LLG growth centers,” Aimos said.

Information collected during the survey will undergo quality assurance before a draft Land Use Survey Report and zoning maps are submitted to the National Physical Planning Board for endorsement.

Once approved and officially gazetted, the master zoning plans will serve as the statutory framework to regulate future infrastructure and land development.

Kami expressed appreciation to the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, the Wewak District Development Authority, and the East Sepik Provincial Government for their collaboration.